Throughout the year, the National Park Service fills jobs in many fields including interpretation, maintenance, administration, resources management, education, dispatch communications, and law enforcement. Some jobs are office oriented, while others focus on working with the public, school children, or natural and cultural resources. Many jobs will be permanent, some will be filled for "terms" of one to four years, while others will be filled seasonally.
Types Of Jobs
Permanent and term jobs offer a complete benefits package, including health and life insurance and an outstanding retirement program. Almost all jobs offer the opportunity to accrue annual leave and sick leave, and overtime pay is sometimes available.
Many people desire permanent or term jobs with the National Park Service, which can be highly competitive. However, many people also desire work of a short-term or seasonal nature as well.
Most National Park Service units offer summer and winter seasonal jobs. The summer season usually runs from early May through mid-September, although some parks have seasons that start earlier and end later. Winter seasonal jobs usually run from October through March.
Employment with the National Park Service is limited to citizens of the United States. However, if you are not a citizen, you may still volunteer your time for the National Park Service or work with a non-federal entity. Many opportunities are available to work in a national park. Each job performs a vital function--that of providing visitors an opportunity to enjoy a unique experience, while working hard to preserve natural and cultural resources for future generations.
Qualifications
All vacancy announcements have an "Area of Consideration" that will describe is eligible to apply for that position. Those positions that are designated "all sources," "all qualified," or "open to everyone" includes all U.S. citizens. "Federal status candidates," "government-wide," "service-wide," or "bureau-wide" indicates that you must be a current permanent federal employee or be eligible for reemployment (also called reinstatement) based on prior federal employment.
Some exceptions allow all citizens of the United States, without regard to prior federal service, to apply for a vacancy. Examples of non-competitive hiring appointments include: Veterans' Readjustment Appointment (VRA), Mentally and Physically Disabled, returning Peace Corps Volunteer, Pathways and the Student Conservation Association.
If you are interested in a vacancy, you must visit USAJobs.
Tips For Applying
All vacancy announcements are available at USAJobs.
- Before you apply, review the entire vacancy announcement carefully. (Some positions require supplemental forms or request specific documentation/proof of information.)
- Submit all documents listed in the job announcement before or by the closing date. Generally, extensions will not be given.
Application Tips
Applying for a National Park Service job is a little different than preparing one for other employers. When applying for federal jobs, you will need to take the following steps:
- Create an account on USAJobs.
- When building your resume Include the specific dates you worked. Be sure to list the amount of time you worked - for example, part-time or full-time - and the number of hours.
- Rather than providing an overview of your work, describe the complexity and details of the jobs you worked. Unlike most resume-writing books, explain in detail your duties.
- Specify the amount of supervision you received or the number of employees you supervised.
5+ page-long resumes are common!
Here are some suggestions to apply for a job with National Park Service units. Submittal requirements may vary depending on the announcement, so be sure to check the job announcement for the position for specific requirements.
Step 1: Obtain a vacancy announcement
National Park Service jobs are publicized through vacancy announcements. These are listed on the web at USAJOBS.
Step 2: Carefully read the vacancy announcement
A vacancy announcement includes information about the job and how to apply.
Specific job information includes:
Position: This is the title of the position being announced, the nature of the position (such as term, permanent), and the pay level of the position.
Announcement Number: All announcements are assigned numbers for identification purposes.
Salary Range: The annual minimum to maximum range of salary or hourly salary rate for this position.
Opening Date: The date the vacancy announcement was released to the public.
Closing Date: The date by which the personnel office should receive the application.
Area of Consideration: Identifies who can apply for the position.
Qualification Requirements: Indicates the work experiences or education required to meet the minimum qualifications for the position. It may list a variety of positions through which an applicant may have gained your experience. Read this section carefully.
Statement of Duties: Otherwise known as the job description, where the duties of the job are listed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (otherwise known as KSAs): Applicants should respond to these questions truthfully. Answers to these questions are as important as a resume.
Step 3: Complete Your Application
You must submit an application for the specific announcement. If you use a resume, you must include:
- Job title and announcement number
- What grades you are applying for
- Name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
- Work experience (include specific dates of month, date and year), salary and hours worked per week, employer's name and phone number
- Highest level of education completed (list names and addresses of schools attended, major(s), degree, and year received
- Other job qualifications
Also include:
- Are you a United States citizen?
- Do you claim veteran's preference?
- If so, attach your DD-214 or other proof.
- Have you ever been employed as a federal civilian employee? If so, give highest grade attained.
- Are you eligible for reinstatement based on previous federal status?
- Sign and date the application!
