Park Guide (Seasonal)

U.S. Department of the Interior; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform allowance

Job summary

U.S. Department of the Interior seeks Park Guides to welcome visitors at national parks, delivering information on natural, cultural, and historical resources. The role includes presenting talks, guiding hikes, and assisting with safety and interpretation.

Open to the first 125 applicants or until 09/13/2026. Applicants must submit by 11:59 (EST) on closing day for consideration. Responsibilities include staffing information counters, answering diverse questions, guiding groups, and orienting

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Selective Service registration required.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors and staff information counter in a visitor center.
• Answer questions on natural, cultural, or historical resources.
• Present pre-established talks and interpretive materials.
• Assist visitors with park conditions, safety, and equipment needs.
• Guide groups up to 50 people on longer walks or programs.

Job description

Summary

Park Guides greet visitors to educate and inform them in our National Parks. Work can include providing information on natural, cultural, or historical resources. Open to the first 125 applicants or until 09/13/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Major Duties

• Staff information counter in a visitor center.
• Answering questions on a variety of subjects.
• Present limited and repetitive pre-established talks including introductions to films, map talks, and static exhibit interpretation.
• Orient hikers to conditions and equipment needs.
• Guide small parties (up to 20 people) on short walks.
• Some park locations issue backcountry camping permits and provide backcountry camping information.
• Additional duties for GS-05: Performs duties including programs that require application of broad subject-matter knowledge of the park.
• Guide large groups (up to 50 people) on longer walks or programs.
• Provide a wide range of services to park visitors.
• Orient and explain current park events and warn of safety hazards.

Education

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Occupancy of government quarters may be required. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing. Required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work. You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to first government motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. Physical ability to lift 25 of pounds of weight.

Evaluations

This position is being filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. The Servicing Human Resources Office will determine whether applicants meet the qualification and eligibility requirements described in this announcement. Applicants who meet these requirements may be referred to the selecting official on a certificate of eligibles for consideration. You must certify that you will maintain a permanent and exclusive residence within the defined vicinity of the field unit(s) listed in this announcement. Upon receipt of a completed application package, the Servicing Human Resources Office will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages. Resumes longer than two pages will not be reviewed. Applicants may submit only one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine qualifications and eligibility. If more than one resume is submitted, only the most recent submission will be reviewed. If your resume is incomplete or does not demonstrate that you meet the qualification requirements or specialized experience described in this announcement, you may be determined ineligible or not qualified for further consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Other Information

This position will be filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the defined local commuting area at the time of application. For this announcement, the local commuting area is the area from which individuals can reasonably commute to the duty station under normal conditions. Field Unit Local Hiring is defined as 50 miles from the job announcement location(s). Location(s): Chicago, IL.. You must provide proof of residency within the defined vicinity (e.g. mortgage or property deed, lease/rental agreement, utility bill, insurance policy, etc.). See the Required Documents section for information on how to verify current residence. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-Competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE 1040 hours within their established service year. Accordingly, non-Competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision. If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment not-to-exceed 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-Competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Physical Demands: The work requires standing for long periods of time, walking for long distances, climbing and descending steep inclines, bending, and lifting moderately heavy items. Mental stress and physical fatigue occur due to high volume of personal contacts, occasional emergency responses, and repetitive nature of interpretive programs. Ability to lift 25 pounds. Working Conditions: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors resulting in exposure to a variety of weather conditions. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.