Summary
NOTE: OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season. This exception allows up to 1560 hours which may extend the season(s) reflected in this announcement. See the Additional Information section for details.
The typical season for this position is May - August but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. The anticipated entry on duty is May 2026.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
This position is being filled using the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) local hiring authority (16 USC 3198).
Any U.S. Citizen who has acquired special knowledge or expertise regarding the natural or cultural resources of Kenai Fjords National Park, by reason of having either lived or worked in or near the unit may apply. See Qualifications section for eligibility requirements.
Duties
If selected you will work as a Park Guide, GS-0090-03 at Kenai Fjords National Park. Duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Serves as a Park Guide for Kenai Fjords National Park at the Visitor Center and the Exit Glacier Nature Center located in Seward, AK.
- Provides local residents and visitors with centralized information about Kenai Fjords National Park and other public lands, resources, and recreational opportunities on the Kenai Peninsula and throughout Alaska.
- Provides orientation, information and interpretation services to visitors and assists with cooperating association sales and services.
- Presents talks using pre-established materials. This work involves giving talks, interpreting natural and historic features, answering questions, guiding tours, and providing miscellaneous services to visitors.
- Orients hikers to conditions and equipment needs, staff's information counter at the visitor center serving as initial contact for visitors, provide information on a variety of routine questions. Provides information on park related activities, services, and park themes.
Please visit find a park for additional park information.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
-
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
-
Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
-
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, and overtime.
-
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 03/02/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required. Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties.
-AND-
To be eligible your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration. The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraphs.
Areas considered "near" Kenai Fjords National Park are the communities of Seward and Moose Pass extending north the Milepost 45 of the Seward Highway, as well as to the tribal villages with documented ties. These tribal villages include the Native Village of Nanwalek and the Native Village of Port Graham on the southwestern tip of the Kenai Peninsula as well as Seldovia Village Tribe. Also included is the Community of Homer, extending north on the Sterling Highway to mile post 165 and East End Road's end.
-ALSO-
The following are the competencies identified for this position. Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies:
- Ability to communicate orally to diverse groups in a variety of settings.
- Ability to communicate effectively and provide excellent customer service.
- Skill in daily operation of a busy visitor center/information desk, sales outlet, bookstore, or similar facility to include providing frontline information and support services.
- Ability to deliver natural and cultural history interpretation through prescribed talks/demonstrations and provide guide services to various audiences
Education
There is no substitution of education for the required special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof as outlined in this announcement.
Additional information
NOTE: In support of Executive Order (EO) 14189 "Celebrating America's 250th Birthday" and EO 14314 "Making America Beautiful Again by Improving our National Parks," the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved an exception to the 1039-hour time limitation for this position. This approval may extend the time limitation up to 1560 hours for this temporary seasonal appointment.
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 additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
This is an excepted service appointment that does not confer competitive status.
Government housing is not available.
All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selectee.
Alaska currently does not have a state income tax.
Selectee may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries.
Physical Demands: The work ranges from moderately sedentary to moderately strenuous. Duties involve standing for prolonged periods, walking and occasional lifting of supplies.
Working Conditions: Work is performed indoors at the visitor center as well as in outdoor areas resulting in exposure to extreme temperatures, rain, snow, wind and direct sunlight.
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, responses to the questions in the assessment). If your application package does not clearly reflect having lived / worked within the area of consideration, does not clearly reflect special knowledge of the natural and/or cultural resources of the park or preserve, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.
Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. 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.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/02/2026:
- 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. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
- Complete All Required Assessments.
- To be eligible, your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the areas of consideration as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.
- 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.
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.
How to Apply
There are multiple options for applying to this position, please see application options and instructions below:
To apply online: You must 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 03/02/2026. You must provide documentation to support your eligibility claim.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
- Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
- Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
- Select documents you want included in this application.
- Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
- Select if you want to include your demographic information.
- After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
- Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
- Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
- Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
- Review and Submit Application.
- While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
- 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.
To apply via mail: Mailed applications must be postmarked by the closing date of the announcement. If applying via mail, you must include answers to the Application Questionnaire. The Application Questionnaire can be accessed via the link in the instructions above. If your application is postmarked by the closing date, it must be received in a sealed envelope no later than seven calendar days after the closing date. The seven-day waiting period may be extended if weather delays mail delivery.
Applications may be mailed to:
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Office
Attn: Human Resources
240 W. 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
Applications must include the vacancy announcement number. If you are applying to multiple vacancy announcements, you must submit a separate application for each vacancy.
Next steps
If 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.