These positions are located in Yosemite National Park, in the Visitor and Resource Protection Division. Open to the first 250 applicants or until 12/12/2025 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.
All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST or when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 12/12/2025). 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 of qualified specialized experience. SELECTIVE FACTORS: These positions perform wilderness patrol duties, and the following skills are required. 1. These positions require that you possess Wilderness Travel and Living Skills. This is a Selective Factor; if you do not possess these skills you will be found ineligible. The skills include all of the following: * Travel in backcountry/wilderness areas for moderate periods of time (e.g., 3-7 days and nights). * Camp in backcountry/wilderness areas in a way that reflects knowledge of minimum impact (e.g., Leave No Trace) camping. * Navigate in the backcountry using map and compass and/or GPS equipment. * Backpack and/or hike in mountainous terrain carrying a heavy backpack. Please select the option below that indicates your Wilderness Travel and Living Skills. IMPORTANT: You MUST describe your Wilderness Travel and Living Skills in your application documents, or you will lose consideration for this position. 2. Due to the remote location and wilderness designation of these positions, you must be able to respond to injured visitors and provide first aid/CPR while awaiting emergency medical services. Certification as a Wilderness First Responder, or higher-level certification, is required. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by entry on duty date will receive no further consideration for this position. Certification or enrollment in course MUST be documented in application. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: park guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. You must include hours per week worked on your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of progressively higher level undergraduate coursework leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree with major study, at least 24 semester hours, in any combination of courses such as natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavior sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a bachelor's degree, in excess of 60 semester hours, and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: 1) staff a visitor center or information desk providing information and orientation to visitors; 2) perform front or backcountry patrols in a park or natural area to educate visitors and protect resources; 3) provide emergency medical treatment to others within the scope of your licensure. (Note: One grade interval work such as guide, clerk, assistant or technician work (Park Guide or Visitor Services Assistant) in a single grade occupational series at the GS-05 level does NOT qualify for this position, however GS-06 level experience may). You must include hours per week worked on your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a related field such as natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavior sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts. ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Yosemite National Park is April - May but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2026. 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 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. GS-05 level: You will work in locations ranging from high visitor use front-country areas to remote wilderness locations. Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Issue wilderness use permits in accordance with the park's management plan using a computerized reservation system; ensure that all use limitations are observed; and inform visitors of special concerns such as fire restrictions, areas closed to camping, party size limitations, Leave No Trace, park regulations, special equipment needs and special resource sensitivities. You respond by telephone, email, or in person daily with the general public, commercial outfitters and other agencies answering questions and providing information about the permit systems and the area's natural resources. You may develop and present original interpretive programs on Wilderness philosophy, safety and history to the general public, special groups or park staff. Perform resource protection foot patrols in wilderness areas which entail special skill to safely work and live in primitive, solitary conditions. Patrol work includes visitor contacts and education, light trail maintenance, cabin repair and campsite rehabilitation. Monitor commercial use permits for compliance with park-established conditions and service-wide policy. Provide emergency medical treatment to visitors and employees, must maintain Wilderness First Responder qualifications. You are responsible for reporting visitor contacts and field conditions for all patrols. You must maintain a high degree of physical fitness. GS-07 level: You will work in locations ranging from high visitor use front-country areas to remote wilderness locations. In addition to the duties listed above, you serve as a station lead providing guidance on office protocols and program policies to lower-level staff when station supervisor is unavailable. You ensure staff and public safety, answer complex visitor and employee questions, resolve disagreements with visitors and assist with staff training. Government housing may be available. Physical Demands: The work involves extensive periods of standing and walking, in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines, carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, etc. Working Conditions: 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. Telework: The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.