Wilderness Information Assistant and Lead Wilderness Information Assistant (Seasonal) @ National Park Service

Job Summary

The typical anticipated Entry on Duty: April - July 2027 but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Open to the first 150 applicants or until 10/26/2026 whichever comes first.

Qualifications

• All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 10/26/2026).

SELECTIVE FACTOR

• In order to provide accurate information regarding trail conditions and assistance to the backcountry staff, you will be expected to perform wilderness patrols of up to 15 miles per day carrying packs weighing up to 40 pounds.
• You will be hiking over terrain that may be rugged and will likely experience inclement weather conditions.
• Candidates who do not have prior experience hiking/backpacking that includes completing multiple trips of multiple days duration and having spent at least 20 nights cumulatively in the wilderness backpacking by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. - 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).

This experience includes activities such as

• 1) working as a cashier;
• 2) working at an information desk or in a customer service position; and
• 3) working with computers and record keeping.

You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- EDUCATION

• Successful completion of at least 4 years of progressively higher level undergraduate education leading to a bachelor's degree in a field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.
• 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-06 grade level, you must possess 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) working as a cashier;
• 2) working at an information desk or in a customer service position;
• 3) working with computers to manage an equipment rental program; and
• 4) providing training for other employees.

You must include hours per week worked.

• 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.
• You must include months/years, hours per week worked and salary to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience.
• One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week.
• Part-time hours are prorated.
• You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".
• No additional credit is given for overtime.
• In describing the nature of your duties (your experience), please be clear and concise.
• We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.
• The Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards are available for review at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties

• You work in a Wilderness Information Center providing resource orientation and information about Olympic National Park.
• Duties at each grade level include: GS-05 Wilderness Information Assistant: You spend about 75% of your working hours in a Wilderness Information Center issuing Wilderness Permits, providing Leave No Trace education, dispensing Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) information, and collecting fees.
• You will also work about 25% of the time conducting uniformed wilderness patrols in Olympic National Park's 876,447 acres of federally designated Wilderness.
• GS-06 Lead Wilderness Information Assistant: You spend about 50-75% of your working hours in a Wilderness Information Center issuing Wilderness Permits, providing Leave No Trace education, dispensing Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) information, and collecting fees.
• You will also work up to 50% of the time conducting uniformed wilderness patrols in Olympic National Park's 876,447 acres of federally designated Wilderness.
• Lead positions will assist in administrative work in the Wilderness Information Center and provide guidance to less experienced staff regarding the wilderness and backcountry operations.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment.
• In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• 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.