Restoration Worker (Seasonal)

National Park Service; California; On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

National Park Service at Yosemite National Park is seeking workers for temporary seasonal positions to assist ecological restoration and vegetation management projects. Employment can extend through the season depending on funding and weather, with typical entry-on-duty in May 2027.

Positions may require leading volunteers and working in rugged mountain terrain. Duties include soil de-compaction, native plant restoration, erosion control, and use of tools and equipment including a bobcat.

Responsibilities

• Site preparation: de-compacting soils and re-contouring disturbed sites.
• Install erosion controls and fencing; collect native litter and duff.
• Salvaging, transplanting and planting native plants.
• Operate and maintain power/hand tools, and small equipment like a bobcat.
• Assist non-native plant control program, including herbicides.
• Keep restoration records and daily/weekly reports; use GPS.
• Use computer for emails, reports, and data entry.
• May lead volunteers and staff.
• Physical demands include heavy lifting and hiking in rugged terrain.

Job description

• Location: Yosemite National Park, California

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is May to November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 2027.

Key Responsibilities

The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 hours work in a service year. Dates of employment will vary between sites depending on funding, weather conditions and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding.

The incumbent will work as part of a crew on ecological restoration and vegetation management projects under the direction of a Work Leader. Project locations occur park-wide and can include wilderness areas.

Duties include: Site preparation involving de-compacting soils, re-contouring disturbed sites back to original topography Installing standard erosion control measures, collecting and applying native litter and duff, building various types of enclosure fencing Salvaging, transplanting and planting native plants utilizing standard horticultural techniques Using and maintaining a wide variety of power and hand tools required for job, safely and effectively Using and maintaining small-scale heavy equipment such as bobcat.

Assisting with implementation of a non-native plant control program which includes manual and mechanical control methods as well as the use of herbicides Keeping records on restoration techniques and daily project accomplishments, and preparing weekly reports Use of computer for email, reports and data entry into access databases Use of GPS May lead groups of volunteers, interns and staff Physical Demands: Heavy physical exertion is often required, and much work is performed in a rugged, mountainous terrain.

Incumbent must have: Ability to bend, lift and carry large objects such as rocks and logs weighing up to 50 lbs. solo and more than 100 lbs. with others. Ability to dig into rocky and gravelly soil using hand tools. Ability to operate power equipment and small-scale heavy equipment which can be tedious, repetitive and bone-jarring. Ability to carry a heavy pack over mountainous terrain for up to 15 miles a day.

Working Conditions: Work can be performed in both wilderness and front country areas, with some positions having only front country work. Work includes walking and backpacking in mountainous terrain and working in inclement weather conditions. For wilderness positions, incumbent must be capable of hiking over 15 miles a day for several consecutive days and negotiating with map and compass.

Incumbent may live and work in isolated mountainous wilderness areas, in close contact with small groups of people, over extended time periods. Incumbent must work outdoors at elevations of 2,000 to 13,000 feet in all extremes of weather. Front country living conditions can range from a canvas-walled tent or other shared Park Service housing units.

Restoration work is dusty and other hazardous conditions exist when moving rock or fallen and bucked trees or working around pack animals or heavy equipment. Area Information: Yosemite National Park, California, known worldwide for its spectacular natural beauty is the backdrop for this position. Sitting astride the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the park covers 1,182 square miles of varied wilderness ecosystems, from river valleys to alpine meadows to lofty 13,000-foot-high peaks.

Yosemite Valley is located 208 miles from San Francisco, 81 miles from Merced, and 94 miles from Fresno. Shopping, medical, postal and laundry services are available in the park. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Requirements & Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $21.18 – $24.74/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-26.

How many openings are available?

There are 15 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.