Seasonal Meteorological Technician Job in Yellowstone National Park, WY

Vacancy No. IM-1540-YELL-25-12793358-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $23.94 to $23.94 Grade 7 to 7
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/8/2025 Close Date 9/22/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Yellowstone National Park, WY


Summary

Anticipated Entry on Duty is mid -December of 2025, This position is expected to continue to March 21 of 2026, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Appointment Type: Temporary, Not-to-exceed 1039 hours.

Duties

Be a successful applicant. Watch this 5 minute video to learn how to create a federal resume.

Utilizes cross country skis under harsh backcountry conditions on steep and rugged mountainous terrain. Collects and records daily snow, avalanche, and weather observations from avalanche paths affecting Yellowstone Park roads, Enters information into database. Evaluates National Weather Service and Natural Resource Service products and data from automated mountain weather stations for inclusion in the avalanche forecasts. Conducts field snow stability tests and observations, and in conjunction with other observations from field personnel. Independently interprets and evaluates snow stability and issues daily avalanche hazard forecasts and warnings which are available to park personnel. Determines when/if avalanche hazard mitigation is needed. Using own judgement and experience, determines when avalanche conditions have changed sufficiently to recommend a change in existing avalanche hazard ratings. Responsible for determining road closures and reopening based on avalanche danger and weather conditions. Participates in avalanche hazard mitigations as a forecaster and/or howitzer team member. In the event of avalanche accident, serves as a first responder for rescues and/or prepares detailed reports of the accident and response operations. Develops and teaches avalanche safety training classes for park employees and partners

This position will be located at one of two possible locations, depending on operational needs and available housing.

Lake Area Information: This position may be located at Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, elevation 7,750 feet, 52 miles south of park headquarters at Mammoth. Temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon in winter. Lake is a Yellowstone interior duty location. The road to this location is not plowed after the first weekend in November, and the location is only reachable by snowmobile or snow coach November through April. A pool of snowmobiles for personal use is available on a reservation system.The US Mail is delivered approximately twice a week in the winter. Schools are available outside the park. Many community services are available at Cody, Wyoming, 80 miles driving distance to the east. While there are challenges with life in Yellowstone's interior during the winter, there are also exceptional winter recreational opportunities and few places on earth can rival the superlative resource conditions and ecological integrity experienced in Yellowstone's interior. Government housing will be provided, at employee cost

East Area Information: This position may be located at the East Entrance in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, elevation 6,950 feet, 79 miles from park headquarters at Mammoth. Temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon in winter. East Entrance is considered an isolated post and few employees are stationed there. Many community services are available in Cody, WY, 53 miles to the east on US Hwy 14/16/20 which includes shopping, a hospital, schools, and museums. The road east of the station is plowed year-round and was described by President Theodore Roosevelt as the 50 most beautiful miles in America. Schools are only available outside the park. East entrance is surrounded by outstanding recreational opportunities both inside the park and outside the park in Shoshone National Forest. Starting in the Fall, the road to this location is not plowed after the end of November, and the location is only reachable by snowmobile late November through early April. A pool of snowmobiles for personal use is available but use may be affected by other priorities. Medical services, grocery shopping, banking, entertainment, UPS, and other delivery services are NOT available in the winter in the interior of the park. The residential area is only accessible by oversnow vehicles. Although this isolation is acceptable to some employees, many soon find it a hardship for themselves and their families. We strongly suggest you thoroughly investigate the winter lifestyle characteristics in Yellowstone National Park interior sites. Government housing will be provided, at employee cost.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • 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
  • Depending on location, government housing may be available.
  • You may 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/or shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
  • If selected for a position/location 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 possess and maintain a current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification
  • You must be able to ski under harsh backcountry conditions on steep and rugged mountainous terrain.
  • 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.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/22/2025-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.

SELECTIVE FACTORS: Due to the technical nature of avalanche science the position requires Professional Avalanche Training at the level II or equivalent (Examples: Recreation Level II Avalanche and Professional Avalanche Level 1). Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position
.-AND-
Due to the remoteness of the work locations and the need for prompt emergency medical assistance, this position requires certification as a Wilderness First Responder along with CPR certification.is required. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.
- AND -
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
  • SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: measuring meteorological phenomena with scientific equipment and instrumentation; conducting field snow stability tests and observations; evaluating weather maps, products, and data for determining avalanche forecasts; observing and recording atmospheric characteristics, i.e., temperature, air movement, visibility, pressure, air density, cloud types; decoding, plotting, and systematically recording data related to the physical characteristics of the atmosphere, i.e., charts, diagrams, cross sections; or collecting, analyzing, interpreting, adjusting, and verifying atmospheric and other meteorological data to confirm and improve accuracy and efficacy. . You must include hours per week worked.
  • -OR-
  • EDUCATION:successful completion of one full year of graduate level education with a major study in a related field such as atmospheric science, meteorology, or other fields of study directly related to the position. You must include transcripts in your application materials.
  • -OR-
  • Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include 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

This job opportunity announcement will 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: Extreme physical is required in severe winter weather in high mountainous backcountry terrain, which requires employee to be in excellent physical condition and sufficiently skilled to be able to negotiate steep terrain on skis and on foot, and to withstand stress Will be required to operate a snowmobile on unpacked roads, Must be able to lift fifty pounds.

Work Environment: The work requires the incumbent to be exposed to potentially dangerous situations in hazardous mountain terrain and extreme cold temperatures. There are risks associated with a variety of circumstances, including avalanche occurrence, and conditions cannot be controlled. Protective equipment such as avalanche beacons, probes, and climbing equipment are used on a routine basis. Work is conducted in an outside environment where temperatures may reach -20F with high winds in steep avalanche terrain. Incumbent is expected to ski with heavy loads in steep mountainous terrain.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. Some positions may be able to telework.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement.

A review of your 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. 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. Only one resume will be used to evaluate your qualifications. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

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
  • 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:
  • Communications and Media
  • Decision Making
  • Technical Competence


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/22/2025:

  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. Only one resume will be used to evaluate your qualifications. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.
  2. Complete All Required Assessments.
  3. 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.
  4. Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
  5. College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
  6. 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 on the rating criteria for this position.
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 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 09/22/2025. 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.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. Only one resume will be used to evaluate your qualifications. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.
  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

John Rhoades
Address
Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
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.


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements