Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
- You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.\
- You must have and maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position.
- You will be required to obtain a successful pre-employment physical examination by a licensed physician certifying your ability to perform the duties of this position. A physical exam may not be required if a comparable agency approved examination was performed within the last 12 months. The cost of the exam will be reimbursed by the agency.
- You will be required to wear the Reclamation issued uniform while working.
- Must possess or obtain (within1 year of appointment) certification in First-Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Direct Deposit participation required.
- As a condition of employment, you must successfully complete a one-year trial period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and continued employment will be evaluated to determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest and supports the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the trial period and written agency certification.
- You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
- Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations.
- Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field.
- Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
Qualifications
To be eligible, you must meet both the Pathways Recent Graduate eligibility requirements and the qualification requirements for this position.
You must have successfully completed a qualifying associate, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctoral, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years (or within six years for eligible veterans under 5 CFR 362.302). You must submit documentation verifying your eligibility.
Recent Graduates may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion upon successful completion of the Pathways Program. See Additional Information.
To qualify for this position at the GS-5 grade level, you must meet one of the following qualification requirements:
Specialized Experience Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience assisting with visitor services, recreation management, natural or cultural resource protection, or park operations. Examples of qualifying experience include: providing information to visitors or the public regarding facilities, programs, or regulations; patrolling recreation areas or public use facilities to monitor visitor activities and identify safety concerns; assisting with the protection and maintenance of natural or cultural resources; collecting recreation fees or maintaining visitor use records; preparing reports or documenting incidents; assisting with interpretive or educational programs; and supporting emergency response, first aid, or public safety activities. -OR-
Education: Successfully completed a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that included 24 semester hours of related coursework in 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, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. You must submit copies of your transcripts with your application. -OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: To qualify based on a combination of education and experience, you must possess qualifying specialized experience and successfully complete education beyond the first 60 semester hours (or equivalent) of a bachelor's degree program that included related coursework. Only education beyond the second year of undergraduate study is creditable toward meeting the education requirement.
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 experience is credited the same as paid experience when it demonstrates the required competencies.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement, 08/13/2026.
Physical Demands: The work requires frequent outdoor activity, including walking over uneven terrain, climbing, bending, lifting, and carrying equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds. Incumbents may patrol by foot, vehicle, bicycle, or boat and must be able to perform physically demanding work for extended periods, including during emergency response operations and in remote locations.
Work Environment:Work is performed primarily outdoors in a variety of weather and environmental conditions, including extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, and other adverse conditions. The position requires working around water, on boats, and in rugged terrain with exposure to insects, poisonous plants, wildlife, and other natural hazards. Employees may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during emergency situations.
Education
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University's Registrar's office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer.
Additional information
For more information about the Pathways Program please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets
Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework based on current agency policy and with supervisory approval.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov
This position is bargaining unit eligible however is not currently represented.
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.
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of any additional assessment(s) required for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent of their education, experience, and responses to the assessment questionnaire. Qualified applicants will be placed into one of the following quality categories. Veterans' preference will be applied in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and selections will be made from the highest quality category.
- Best Qualified - Demonstrates extensive experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications.
- Well Qualified - Demonstrates experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications.
- Qualified - Demonstrates experience that meets the minimum qualifications.
You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Information Management, Integrity/Honesty, Oral Communication, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Stress Tolerance, and Technical Competence, Attention to Detail, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Stress Tolerance, Reading Comprehension, and Reasoning.
In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the USA Hire Assessment, if required.
Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
Required Documents
To be considered for this position, the following requirements and documents must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/13/2026
- Resume Submit a resume that includes all relevant work experience, duties performed, dates of employment (month/year; include day if needed to document 52 weeks of experience), and hours worked per week (or indicate full-time). If claiming part-time experience, you must include hours worked per week or your experience may not receive full credit. Your resume must clearly show the length of time in each position and, for Federal positions, include the series, grade, and distinguish duties and time served at each grade in a career ladder. Resumes are limited to two single-sided pages, must use at least 10-point font with 0.5-inch margins, and may not include supplemental pages or attachments to extend the resume. Your resume must contain sufficient information to demonstrate you meet the specialized experience requirements. For Federal resume guidance, visit the USAJOBS Resume Help page.
- Complete All Required Assessments
- Pathways Eligibility Documentation: You must submit documentation that verifies your eligibility for the Pathways Recent Graduates Program. Applicants qualifying under the Pathways Recent Graduates Program must submit documentation verifying eligibility.
- If qualifying based on a college or university degree: Submit a copy of your transcripts from an accredited U.S. educational institution. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable when applying; official transcripts will be required before appointment. Your transcript must clearly show your degree was awarded (or your graduation date).
- If qualifying based on foreign education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information.
- If qualifying based on a career or technical education program: Submit documentation (such as a letter from the educational institution) verifying successful completion of a qualifying career or technical education program, including completion of at least 1,700 work hours within a 12-month period (or within 10 or 11 months, if applicable), and the program completion date.
- Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans claiming preference must submit a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy) or other acceptable proof of military service and separation under honorable conditions, as identified on the SF-15. Disabled Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and the parent or spouse of a disabled or deceased Veteran must submit all supporting documentation required by the SF-15, including a completed SF-15, if applicable. VA disability documentation may be obtained from VA.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000. Applicants within 120 days of separation must submit a signed certification from their military branch verifying: (1) expected separation/retirement date, (2) character of service, (3) pay grade/rank/rate at separation, (4) active-duty service dates, (5) campaign or expeditionary medals received, and (6) certification dated within 120 days of separation.
- Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (I/CTAP) If you are applying under I/CTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).
- SF-50, Notification of Personnel action if the applicant is a current Federal Employee.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.