Seasonal Educational Technician Job

Vacancy No. MW-1544-MWRO-25-12771558-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $19.33 to $31.12 Grade 5 to 7
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/31/2025 Close Date 8/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Empire, MIMunising, MIInternational Falls, MN


Summary

The purpose of this position is to teach education programs (environmental education) in-person in classrooms and in the park, as well as via distance learning channels, through both established and newly developed education programs primarily for school, youth and other organized groups to students throughout United States.

Duties

The major duties for these positions, include but are not limited to,

As an Educational Technician, at the GS-05, you will spend the majority of time modifying, preparing and delivering curriculum-based education programs including, but not limited to ranger-led snowshoe hikes, guided hikes, demonstrations, and other education programs. Leads on-site educational programs for pre-K through 12th grade students or home-school equivalent and presents distance learning programs. You will be responsible for following established curriculum objectives in a manner that is age-appropriate for the audience. Specifically, when programs are written for a range of grades, you will use simpler language and more concrete explanations of concepts for younger students. Researches and develops curriculum under the direction of other higher-graded employees to meet the needs of the intended audience. Leads tours of up to 40 people. Provides information and orientation to visitors about the park's resources. You may also staff visitor centers, create interpretive media such as waysides, brochures, booklets, curriculum, etc., create social media content, and complete special projects.

GS-07 level: In addition to the GS-05 duties listed above, you will serve as a work lead to support the education program by facilitating hands-on, curriculum-based classroom programs and field trips in the park and at partner agencies, and virtual/distance learning. Field trips and classroom programs occur throughout all seasons of the school year for pre-K through 12th grade students or home-school equivalent. Develops and presents environmental education, interpretive programs, and special events. Helps train seasonal staff, volunteers, interns, and partners to teach established curricula and other standard programs . Assists with scheduling, coaching, and mentoring of program staff.

Park Information including housing availability:
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Housing may be available. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located in Michigan's rural Upper Peninsula on the south shore of Lake Superior between the communities of Munising and Grand Marais. The park encompasses 42 miles of Lake Superior shoreline and is renowned for its colorful sandstone cliffs, miles of beaches, waterfalls and streams, inland lakes, 100 miles of trails and the 1874 Au Sable Light Station - most of which is inaccessible in winter. The area receives over 200 inches of snow each winter. Winters are long with snow first falling in October. It commonly snows every day in mid-winter with lake effect snow creating blizzard-like conditions. Park roads are not plowed except the road to park headquarters. Most local highways and roads are snow packed throughout the winter. Winter recreational opportunities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. Park headquarters is located just outside of Munising. Amenities in Munising include grocery and convenience stores, medical clinic, and K-12 schools. Park website:www.nps.gov/piro.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Housing is available. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is within a beautiful scenic resort area on the shores of Lake Michigan. Housing, medical facilities, shopping, churches, banks, daycare, and recreational opportunities are readily available within a 30 mile radius from park headquarters in Empire. High temperatures average between 70-80 degrees in the summer and low temperatures average between 10-20 degrees in winter. Shared government housing may be available for rent. Park website:www.nps.gov/slbe.
Voyageurs National Park: Housing is NOT available. Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota and encompasses over 218,000 acres of boreal forest and water along the Canadian border. The park is a class one air shed, and the lakes of the park are identified as outstanding resource value waters within the State. Lakes include Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point; along with 26 smaller remote lakes. The majority of work in the park requires access via boat in the summer or snowmobile in the winter. During winter operations the park maintains over 100 miles of snowmobile trails and 25 miles of ice roads. Within the park there are over 200 campsites, 3 visitor centers; and a concession operated hotel, only accessible by boat, snowmobile, or plane; there are 45 miles of trails; 3 boat launches; and about 15 miles of roads. International Falls is the full-service gateway community at the north entrance, offering a hospital, two medical clinics, shopping, schools, community college, movie theater, bowling alley, community center and churches. Park website: www.nps.gov/voya

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Driver's License:You may 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. NOTE: Some parks may only require Incidental Driving, but you will still be required to possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
  • Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • Minimum Age: Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
  • Bargaining Unit for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/07/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2 page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the 2 page 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 qualified specialized experience. You MUST limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

GS-05: To qualify at this grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
  • EXPERIENCE: Possess one (1) 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: presenting curricula-based education programs; the research and developmental of curricula-based support materials and activities; performing administrative and development of curricula-based support materials and activities. You must include hours per week worked.-OR-
  • EDUCATION: Have four (4) years of education above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies each course of college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected). You must include transcripts.-OR-
  • COMBINATION: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable towards meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts.
GS-07: To qualify at this grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
  • 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). Specialized experience is work such as planning and implementing a comprehensive, curriculum-based education program serving elementary through college students independently to research, develop, and present education programs and global concepts using a hands-on approach. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
  • EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of directly related graduate education. You must include transcripts. -OR-
  • COMBINATION: Have an equivalent combination of graduate education and experience. Only directly related graduate education is creditable towards meeting this requirement. An example is 9 semester hours of graduate work with major of education and 6 months of qualifying experience. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts.

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.

ICTAP/CTAP Statement: 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 on all competencies.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

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.

This announcement may be used to fill one or more additional selections at anytime without notification.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.


Physical Demands: Assignment includes extended periods of standing, hiking outdoors, speaking for long periods of time, climbing and descending stairs, walking, in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines, lifting, carrying backpacks, bending, sitting, and working at a computer. You may be required to work evenings and late-night shifts. You must be able to hike and/or snowshoe several miles over uneven terrain in extreme weather conditions (i.e. snow, ice, below freezing conditions) and/or adverse conditions (i.e. sandy dunes, rocky terrain).

Working Conditions: Educational programs are presented indoors and outdoors and may require exposure to hot and cold climatic conditions. Adverse weather conditions (i.e. snow, ice, wind, lightning) and infrequent hazards (i.e. ticks, sandy/rocky terrain) may be encountered. Some work would take place in climate-controlled setting. The work demands direct contact with school-age children and the visiting public for long periods of time.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

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.

Benefits

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.

Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. 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 the additional assessments required for this position. A review of your 2 page resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Applies Technology to Tasks
  • Communications and Media
  • Education and Training
  • Leadership
  • Teaching Others


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/07/2025:

  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, 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. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. You can only submit one resume; Only the resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes.
  2. Complete All Required Assessments.
  3. College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
  4. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
    • Veterans Preference Documentation:
      • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
  5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, 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 rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/07/2025. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.

Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. You can only submit one resume; Only the resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

  1. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
  2. Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
  3. Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
  4. Select documents you want included in this application.
  5. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
  6. Select if you want to include your demographic information.
  7. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
  8. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
  9. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
    • Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
  10. Review and Submit Application.
  11. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
  12. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
    • To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
    • Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Agency contact information

MWR HR Staffing Team
Address
Interior Region 3, 4 and 5
601 Riverfront Drive
Omaha, NE 68102
US

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.