About this role
Job SummaryThe primary purpose of this position is to provide guide services to visitors. The work involves giving talks, interpreting natural and historic features, answering questions, guiding tours, and providing miscellaneous services to visitors.
QualificationsAll qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/15/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that includes oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; developing and/or providing guided tours and/or running an information center. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successfully completed four years of study above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, such as American History, science, public speaking, parks and recreation, education or communications. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. You must include transcripts. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. 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.
Major DutiesSome of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Operates a visitor center or contact station. Answers telephone, orients visitors to site, stocks brochures and kiosks and handles minor visitor complaints. Is friendly and relates to visitors with varied backgrounds. Helps orient visitors to what is available to see on site and within the area. Presents pre-established interpretive programs, orientation talks, guided tours, living history demonstrations or off-site programs for a diverse audience. Communicates orally and in writing by presenting interpretive programs, writing email responses to visitors, and/or answers visitor questions. Performs opening and closing procedures for a visitor center, historic buildings, etc. Sets alarms and assures areas secure. Operates a computer to perform small projects. Uses a variety of software such as Word, Excel, etc. Runs a cash register and credit card machine. Maintains stock, completes inventory, and makes deposits. Physical Demands: The work requires standing for long periods of time, walking for long distances, climbing and descending steep inclines, bending, and lifting moderately heavy items. Mental stress and physical fatigue occur due to high volume of personal contacts, occasional emergency responses, and repetitive nature of interpretive programs. Work Environment: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors resulting in exposure to a variety of weather conditions. Area Information: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located in the Flint Hills of Chase County, just north of Strong City, Kansas. Chase County is rural and lightly populated. Major groceries, medical and dental services are located in Emporia, Kansas (20 miles distant). Public schools are located in Cottonwood Falls and Strong City; a state university is located in Emporia. Climate is considered moderate, with average precipitation of over 30", summer high temperatures 80-100°, winter low temperatures 10-20°. NO PARK HOUSING IS AVAILABLE; rentals and houses for sale are limited in Chase County but plentiful in Emporia. For more information, see the parks website: www.nps.gov/TAPRRequirementsMust be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.