These positions may be filled for a six-month seasonal period, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for this position is November. Please visit find a park for additional park information.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/28/2025-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 a Pro Avalanche Level II or equivalent. Examples of equivalent certifications include National Avalanche School, AVPro, or PAWS (Professional Avalanche Workers School). Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. - AND - To qualify for this position you must possess one of the following minimum qualification by close of the announcement: Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-7 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. - OR - Education: successful completion of two full years of graduate level education or a master's degree with a major study in a related field such as atmospheric science, meteorology, or other fields of study directly related to the position. 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.
Conducts field work to include snow stability tests, records snowpack observations, interprets and evaluates raw data dealing with snow stability, collects atmospheric and weather information, and maintenance of remote specialized weather stations. In the event of avalanche accidents or fatalities, may participate in rescue operations and will aid in the preparation of reports. Aids in the preparation of daily regional avalanche forecasts. Conducts avalanche education and outreach efforts to the public and park and partner employees. Working Conditions: 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. Incumbent works alone at times and must be able to drive to different field sites. Physical demands include working outside for long hours in below freezing temperatures. The work requires considerable strenuous physical exertion such as needed to ski or snowmobile in the backcountry to make observations. The incumbent's duties require navigating rough, uneven or rocky terrain, carrying equipment/instruments, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, and reaching to conduct tests and gather data from the air or the earth's surface while standing on ground which may be uneven, unstable, or slick. Must be able to lift fifty pounds.