Student Trainee (Park Guide)

National Park Service; Peninsula (OH); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

National Park Service seeks a Student Trainee (Park Guide) at Cuyahoga Valley National Park within Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services. This Pathways internship is temporary, may extend yearly, and requires eligibility through the Pathways program.

Eligibility includes being enrolled in a degree or certificate program, maintaining good academic standing, and meeting time/education requirements. Transcripts are required for education-based qualifications.

Qualifications

• GS-4: 6 months general experience and 6 months specialized experience equivalent to GS-03.
• Specialized experience includes presenting historical/scientific information to groups.
• Education-based: 2 years post-high school or associate degree with transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and revising interpretive or educational content.
• Answer visitor questions and provide accurate park information.
• Lead or assist in educational programs and tours.

Skills

Oral presentations to groups

Public speaking

Interpretive program delivery

Education

2 years post-high school / associate degree

Job description

You will serve as a Student Trainee (Park Guide) working for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in the Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services Division. Temporary appointment not-to-exceed one year but may be extended each year without further competition, if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements under the Pathways Internship program and funding is available.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/29/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To be eligible for a Pathways Program internship program, you must meet the following requirements: You must be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a degree or certificate program on a full or half-time basis as defined by the school (certificate program means post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum), or career or technical education programs, (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps); AND Enrollment is with a qualifying educational institution such as a high school or state-approved homeschool; or accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum; AND Must be in good academic standing; AND You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program. The duties of this position should be related to your academic or career goals. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), 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 amount qualified specialized experience.

Minimum Qualifications GS-4 EXPERIENCE:

At least six (6) months of General Experience and six (6) months of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS-03 level. General Experience is (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized Experience includes: oral presentations of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; assisting in developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups; assisting in presenting interpretive or educational programs; work as a park guide answering visitors questions that are routine and factual such as location of campgrounds and picnic areas, and selling permits; tour leader; docent; museum or observatory guide; teaching assistant; or other similar work. (Excess specialized experience can be substituted for general experience; but excess general experience cannot be substituted for required specialized experience). NOTE: Your resume must include sufficient detail (e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc.) for each time frame for consideration.

OR EDUCATION:

Successful completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree (as determined by the educational institution attending) in a discipline/academic program related to the position. NOTE: Transcripts required.

OR Combination of Education and Experience:

Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience as described above. To determine if you qualify based on a combination of education and experience, determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the above requirement; then determine your education as a percentage of the above requirement. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-4. NOTE: Transcripts required, and your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard.

Minimum Qualifications GS-5 EXPERIENCE:

One year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-4 level or higher in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized Experience includes: oral presentations of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups; assisting in presenting interpretive or educational programs; Park Guide