Volunteer-In-Parks Assistant (Seasonal) @ National Park Service

Job Summary

The typical seasonal period for Seasonal Staffing Office-Pacific West Region is April-October but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Open to the first 100 applicants or until -10/26/2026- whichever comes first.

Qualifications

• All qualifications must be met by 11:59 (EST) when the applicant limit is reached which may be sooner than the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
• 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.
• To qualify for the Volunteer-In-Parks Assistant position at the GS 07 grade, you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).
• This experience includes activities such as: working directly with a wide range of people in planning, coordinating and executing group activities, organizing volunteer projects, recruiting volunteers for projects, and creating programs or projects for volunteers.
• This experience may have been gained through working in events management, public relations, teaching, or related activities.
• You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- EDUCATION

• Successful completion of at least one full year of graduate-level study (18 semester hours or equivalent) that directly applies to the work of the position such as communications, education or business.
• The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

IMPORTANT NOTE

• If you are applying based on education, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

IMPORTANT NOTE

• If you are applying based on education, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
• Example of a qualifying combination: 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the required specialized experience), and 9 semester hours of graduate-level classes (50% of the education requirement) may qualify an applicant for this position.
• NOTE: Transcripts and hours per week worked on resume must be included.
• 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 Duties

• A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California. View this link for information about salary. Government housing may be available. You will be required to provide a Driving Record prior to entry on duty. You will be required to wear a uniform. You will be required to work weekends and overtime. The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Government housing is available. You will be required to wear a uniform. The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position MAY be suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

• The purpose of this position is to assist the Volunteer Coordinator with specialized duties related to Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) and/or Youth Programs with continued and independent responsibilities for projects, questions, or problem resolution where the incumbent has significant responsibility to prioritize work and provide authoritative explanation of technical requirements.
• This position carries the primary responsibility for assisting the Volunteer Coordinator in completing a wide variety of volunteer program tasks including planning, coordinating, administrative paperwork and documentation, corresponding with volunteers, logistics support, documenting and reporting project results, developing standard operating procedures, and maintaining databases/volunteer duty schedules.
• Duties: Identifies, plans, coordinates, implements, and leads viable volunteer projects and makes assignments to the appropriate volunteer work groups.
• Utilizes program monitoring systems to effectively track and analyze fiscal, personnel, volunteer hours, expenditures, training, resources, and project results data according to agency guidelines.
• Prepares work planning documents for accomplishing volunteer projects.
• Develops and implements new processes for streamlining work practices, and identifies and recommends ways of eliminating, simplifying, and improving administrative procedures affecting the volunteer and or youth programs.
• Collaborates with park supervisors/managers in determining recruitment and training needs, including safety training for short- and long-term work assignments. uses knowledge/experience to determine potential volunteer workforce sources and to orchestrate an effective recruitment program.
• Recruits and interviews applicants to determine their aptitudes, abilities, and qualifications.
• Prepares and recommends revisions to local guidelines and operating procedures that would improve the park-wide VIP program.
• Promotes the overall program: Communicates with the general public on where and how to apply for volunteer opportunities.
• Provides accurate, reliable, and timely information on the administrative functions of the VIP program.
• Maintains volunteer database to include new volunteer records, inputting volunteer time, generating monthly/quarterly/annual reports, and general maintenance of the data supporting the volunteer database.
• Enters volunteer opportunities in https://volunteer.gov and assists with the scheduling of volunteer interviews.
• Completes program tasks such as volunteer training, safety orientations, equipment inventory and arranging transportation.
• Ensures that all VIP program related documents are prepared in accordance with established policy and procedures.
• Provides general orientation for new volunteers and prepares or assists in the completion of their required paperwork.
• Hikes at high elevations on uneven terrain.
• Air Quality: Poor air quality afflicts Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially during summer months - generally May to October.
• High ozone levels may be the most harmful pollutant here.
• In summer months, concentrations often exceed the federal ozone health standards.
• For more information: http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/airqualityinfo.htm.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.
• You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record.
• You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
• You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards.
• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid.
• Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility.