National Park Service Jobs

The National Park Service was formed in 1916 with the mission to preserve land for fauna and flora to flourish as well as maintain a natural environment for people to visit. Protecting and managing these parks requires employees with skills suitable to assisting visitors, answering questions, giving guided tours, collecting and recording field samples, and fixing facilities and trails. The Department of Interior manages the National Park Service and posts jobs on USAJobs. There are year-round, temporary, and seasonal employment opportunities. Only United States citizens are eligible to apply.

To begin a search, visit USAJobs online. Select the Search Jobs button. Then, click on the sub-tab, Agency Search. You can enter National Park Service in the Enter a Department/Agency Name; however, thousands of positions will appear. Narrow the search in Select a Department. Scroll down to Interior, Department of The. Click on the sixth sub-category, National Park Service. Then, choose locations and types of occupations that interest you. Hit the search button and explore.

Positions posted include a plethora of information. Overview gives salary ranges, a job summary, and the open period in which to apply. Duties outlines the major job responsibilities an employee must be able to complete. Qualifications and Requirements lists education and skill levels necessary to receive a favorable evaluation for employment. Benefits and Info provides human resources information applicable if hired. How to Apply guides candidates through the application package process.

There are five main types of positions typically available with the National Park Service including Visitor Use Assistant, Park Guide, Biological Science Technician, Park Ranger, and Seasonal Maintenance. The number of job opportunities is based on the expected visitor count and size of the park. There are about 16,000 full-time employees, and each year, the National Park Service hires about another 10,000 people for temporary and seasonal positions.

Visitor Use Assistant is for people who like being proactive and helpful to complete strangers. This jobs gives you a chance to greet visitors as they arrive and prepare to experience the splendor of a national park. Hand out pamphlets and maps, collect entrance fees, and answer questions about all the activities offered inside the park.

As a Park Guide, you will put those public speaking skills to good use by educating visitors about the park's history, environment, resources, and cultural significance. Inform people about camping and hiking rules so that they may have a safe visit. Introduce upcoming events and updates on projects. You may even be asked to patrol the back-country.

If you have a degree in a science related field, you may want to explore the Biological Science Technician job. Specialized experience in specific types of vegetation or animals is also beneficial depending upon which park you apply to and the duties of employment. Managing the park's resources is the main responsibility. You will collect samples and organize data in computer databases. Familiarity with conducting fieldwork is essential as is the ability to work in laboratory and office settings.

The Park Ranger role is the perfect job for someone who enjoys conversing with people and imparting knowledge about national parks via interpretive programs. The four primary duties are explaining the park's resources, encouraging visitors to enjoy the facilities and natural surroundings, reminding guests about laws and rules, and fostering a sense of responsibility for continued preservation of land for future generations. These tasks are accomplished via programs comprised of walks, talks, and campfires focusing on environmental education.

All handy individuals, consider seasonal maintenance positions. In order to maintain roads, buildings, and signs, skilled workers are in demand. Besides being capable of mending and constructing, workers must be physically fit enough to life heavy items. Projects need to be done indoors and outdoors in preparation for the busy season to keep the park and its facilities in working order.

Internships are not posted on the USAJobs website. People interested in an outdoor focused internship opportunity need to contact the parks directly. If office work is more appealing to you, visit PreserveNet to help conduct research and compile reports. Student Conservation Association awards a certain number of students annually with an internship. A travel, housing, food, and uniform allowance are given. Undergraduates and graduates should also consider the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program. CRDIP has paid internships during the summer and academic semesters.

Other professional, year-round employment opportunities are to be had by people with archaeology, architecture, finance, engineering, science, administration, or fire management backgrounds. Finding a job with the National Park Service is easy because there is a central website, USAJobs, and people with various skills are needed to fill all the positions required to preserve and manage the parks. Volunteers are also always welcome. About 125,000 people help out annually so that posterity will also get to enjoy nature as intended.