Seasonal Employment

Many employees on National Park Service fire crews work during the late spring, summer, and early fall months.

NPS Photo

Temporary seasonal jobs can be difficult to get. At the more popular National Park Service sites the number of applicants far exceeds the number of positions available every year. Other lesser known sites see few applicants. So the fear of competition shouldn’t dissuade you from applying! Most appointments are from June through August with the application/job announcement process beginning as early as the previous October. See USAJOBS to apply for current vacancies.

Types of Temporary Positions

Park Guide- Provides guided tours, gives formal talks on natural and historic features, answers questions, and provides miscellaneous services to visitors.

Visitor Use Assistant- Collects and accounts for fees and provides miscellaneous services and information to visitors.

Trail Laborer- Performs manual outdoor work on trails and for forestry programs; other park maintenance activities, such as cleaning campgrounds; and similar work in which physical labor must be performed.

Maintenance Worker- Performs skilled and semi-skilled trades work: carpenter, mechanic, sawyer (woodworker), trail maintenance worker, motor vehicle operation, & painting. May assist in plumbing, electrical and other similar work.

Forestry Aid/Technician- Assists in fire control, prevention, and suppression work on park lands.

Park Ranger (Interpretation)- Duties vary greatly from position to position and may include providing visitor services; interpreting a park's natural, historic, or archeological features through talks, guided walks, and demonstrations; working at an information desk; planning and implementing resource management programs, including fire control; performing search-and-rescue activities; collecting fees; and firefighting.

Biological Science Aid/Technician- Assists researchers and management staff in collecting and analyzing data on flora and fauna in parks.

Office Clerk- Performs duties of receptionist, administrative clerk, clerk-typist, and data entry.

 

An interpretive ranger gives a program to the public.

Image by Alison Taggart-Barone

Benefits of Seasonal Employment

• Work for a conservation agency

• Provide public service

• Excellent vacation and sick leave program

• Flexible work schedules

• Interesting work

• Work in beautiful, scenic places

• Learn about our country's history

• Live in places where most Americans want to visit