Park Guide (Seasonal)

U.S. Department of the Interior; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

National Park Service in the United States is advertising a Park Guide position open to ICTAP/CTAP candidates. The assignment is nationwide with location negotiable and duties span information desk work, talks, guiding groups, and visitors’ safety guidance.

Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens, understand ICTAP/CTAP priorities, and be prepared for background checks, potential uniform requirements, and temporary employment up to nine months. Apply by the deadline.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required and ICTAP/CTAP priority awareness.
• Competencies include customer service, interpersonal skills and oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Staff information counter in a visitor center.
• Answer questions on a variety of subjects.
• Present limited talks including introductions to films, map talks, and static exhibits.
• Orient hikers to conditions and equipment needs.
• Guide small parties up to 20 people on short walks.
• Some locations issue backcountry camping permits and provide info.
• Additional duties for GS-5 include programs requiring broad knowledge; guide large groups up to 50 on longer walks.
• Provide a wide range of services to park visitors.
• Orient and explain current park events and warn of safety hazards.

Skills

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication

Job description

Summary

This announcement is for the Park Guide, to clear ICTAP/CTAP priority lists. It is only open to current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the ICTAP/CTAP. National Park Service-wide (location negotiable). To see available parks and duty locations, please visit Find Your Park. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 10/12/2026 to be considered.

Major Duties

Park Guide Standard 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-5: 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

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship required. Area of Consideration for this position refers to the ICTAP/CTAP hiring authority/eligibility and not the physical location of the position. 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. You may be 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 may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official 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. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.

Evaluations

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85.0 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. Area of Consideration for this position refers to the ICTAP/CTAP hiring authority/eligibility and not the physical location of the position. An interview may be required for this position. If an interview is required, failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. You will be evaluated on the following competencies: Customer Service Interpersonal Skills Oral Communication

What to Expect Next

Many similar positions are advertised by various offices within the National Park Service. You MUST apply to each announcement for consideration. Officials may hire at any grade level, location or work schedule. All positions may or may not be filled. Dates and length of employment will vary between park sites depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation. Positions are TEMPORARY positions, not to exceed 9 months (1560 hours), and have no promotion potential. Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete. Applicants will get a response from this announcement by approximately October 2026.

Required Documents

ALL required documentation must be submitted to receive full consideration for eligibilities and veterans' preference selected. The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/12/2026: Your 2-page resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the of amount qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. If you do not include hours worked per week (or indicate full-time status), you will not be given credit for that experience. A complete Application Questionnaire: The Application Questionnaire is the application questions when redirected after selecting the "Apply" button within the announcement. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as: Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF-15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability. College transcripts if qualifying based on education. Accreditation: Postsecondary Education Institutions Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and Most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

Other Information

Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay. 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 less than 1560 or 1730 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) 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 (NPS). If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1560 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1560 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 1560 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1560 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. 1,730 Waiver Information: Only for approved positions in identified geographic locations, the Not to Exceed limit for seasonal temporary time limited appointments is increased to 1,730 hours which will be determined upon selection. Officials may hire at any grade level, location or work schedule. Dates and length of employment will vary between park sites depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation. Employment may be extended or terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work involves extensive periods of standing and walking, and in some cases, over rough surfaces or inclines carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, etc. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness (e.g. high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions). Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Statement: COLA pay in Alaska is 3.00% with the exception of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, which is 1.49%.* COLA pay in Hawaii is 8.64% with the exception of Hawaii island, which is 2.91%.* COLA pay in Puerto Rico is 2.49%.* COLA pay in U.S. Virgin Islands is 11.88%.* COLA pay in U.S. Guam & Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is 11.08%.* *The salary annotated on this announcement does not include the cost-of-living allowance, nor locality pay.