The Internship Program provides students enrolled in a variety of educational environments (high schools, colleges, trade schools and other qualifying educational institutions) with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school. This position is established to provide a meaningful employment opportunity in the Park Guide occupation. This is a Temporary appointment not-to-exceed 1039 hours.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/04/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To be eligible for this pathway position you must: 1) Be enrolled in a degree seeking program 2) Be enrolled on one half (1/2) time basis 3) Have a minimum 2.0 grade average 4) Attending an accredited educational institution 5) Provide transcripts with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. 6) Be enrolled for the next semester/quarter following the period of this vacancy. 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 qualified specialized experience. To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least six (6) months of General Experience and six (6) months of Specialized Experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-03 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). General Experience is (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized Experience is experience that involved oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; or developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups. Examples of specialized experience could include but are not limited to Park Guide or tour leader; docent; museum or observatory guide; teaching assistant; or other similar work. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least two years of education above high school (60 semester hour or 90 quarter hours) which included at least 12 semester hours of directly related courses, such as in American history, science, and/or public speaking. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your coursework and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts, or a complete list of college courses taken that identifies for each course the 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 coursework 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: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example, 3 months of general and 3 months of specialized experience or 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirements for this position and grade level) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education required to qualify), which included at least 6 semester hours of related courses such as American history, science, and/or public speaking (50% of the directly related courses required). You must include transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least a GS-04. In making this claim, I understand that Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped me to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized Experience is experience that involved oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; or developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, Park Guide or tour leader; naturalist; environmental educator or teacher; or other similar work.You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to American history, science and/or public speaking. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected). You must include transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to one year of specialized experience. Specialized experience (50% of the experience requirements for this position and grade level) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education required to qualify), which included at least 6 semester hours of related courses such as American history, science, or public speaking (50% of the directly related courses required). 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.
The Student Trainee (Park Guide) collects and accounts for park entrance, camping, or other special park use fees. Provides pre-established talks where the features are largely self-explanatory and are easily observed and understood as to origin, development, form and significance, and the interpretive service required by the guide is of a repetitive nature. In addition, the talks provide general information about other sites of public interest; facilities for public use; pertinent rules and regulations; and other matters designed to stimulate a sense of appreciation and thus encourage protection and preservation of the scenic, scientific or historic features. The talks may be given in conjunction with live demonstrations, the use of electronic maps, photographic slides, and other audio-visual devices. Major duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Accountable for government money and passes. Collect Entrance Fees and sell passes. Respond verbally to repetitive visitors' inquiries for information, direction and guidance. Provide direction, information, and orientation regarding services or activities of interest to the public. Serve as a front-line representative, greeting customers and answering questions. Educate visitors regarding rules, regulations, and safety concerns to gain compliance. Direct customers with problems, questions, or complaints. Explain the significance of an area's facility's natural, cultural, historic, or other resources. Assist the public in planning visits to and recommending activities in the area. Operate a cash register and assists in making and retail sales of various interpretive products for natural, historical, or cultural programs, publications or exhibits. Give scripted 60 second orientation safety talk. Assist with giving historic weapon demonstrations. Help work special events. GS-4 Guides groups (of up to 20 people) GS-5 Guides groups (of up to 50 people) Intern NTE: Temporary seasonal appointment not-to-exceed 1039 hours. Entry on duty date is anticipated to be in May of 2025. Location Information: Indiana Dunes National Park - Salary-$19.31 per hour for GS-4. Point of Contact - Jean-Pierre Anderson; Jean- Pierre_anderson@nps.gov. 219-395-1858 Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial - Salary-$17.64 per hour for GS-4 Point of Contact - Robert Whitman; robert_whitman@nps.gov. 419-707-3205 Lincoln Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) Salary-$17.64 per hour for GS-4 and $19.33 per hour for GS-5; Point of Contact - Isaiah Frater, isaiah_frater@nps.gov, 217/391-3257. Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service) Salary $17.64 per hour for GS-4, Point of Contact - Karla Sigala, karla_sigala@nps.gov, 402-661-1826