This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants will be referred throughout the announcement period. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement. The last cut-off date is 11:59 pm (EST), January 30, 2026. Please see the "NEXT STEPS" section for additional cut off dates.
To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Have the ability to do the work of a Gardener WG- 5003-06 without more than normal supervision. (SCREEN OUT) Work history that demonstrates experience at Gardener duties such as knowledge of plants and gardening procedures to decide when and which standard method to use. Ability to install and maintain irrigation systems and electric fences. Ability to perform physically demanding activities including stooping bending twisting reaching overhead and working on knees and working on ladders and lifting up to 50 lbs and working outdoors throughout the year. Skill in the use and operation of a variety of hand and power tools and equipment normally associated with garden work, such as seeders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears and sprayers. Ability to care for motorized equipment used in gardening operations, such as lubricating, changing oil, blades and sharpening blades. If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. Additional information on specific qualification requirements can be found in the Job Qualification System for Trades and Laborer Occupations. 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. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).
The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY Summer seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 hours work in a service year. Dates of Summer employment will vary depending on funding, weather conditions, projects and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding. The typical season can be variable due to weather conditions, project needs, visitors or funding. See below for specific 2026 summer season timeframes. Duty Locations/Parks, Seasonal timeframes & Government Housing: North Cascades National Park: Stehekin, WA; Season April-October; Government housing is available. Joshua Tree National Park: Twentynine Palms, CA; Season March-September; Government housing is not available. Major Duties: Performs cultivation of fruit trees, horticultural treatments, maintenance of historic furrow irrigation system. Maintains plants in natural (revegetation), cultural sites, and native plant nursery by determining when plants need additional watering and how long they should be watered. Identifies weeds and as directed sprays with herbicides, and foliar nutrients for the control of plant diseases, and weeds. Works with various hand & mechanical tools/equipment including trucks, lawn mowers, backhoes, dump trucks, weed eaters, saws, propane torches, sprayers, ladders, shovels, spades, chain saws, hand saws, pole saws, loppers, etc. Operates farm-type tractors with attached equipment such as rotary or flail mowers, augers, tillers, etc. in the performance of the gardener duties. Physical Demands: The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending and stooping. The incumbent frequently climbs ladders to prune or trim vegetation and lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc. Working Conditions: The work is done outside and is subject to discomfort from long periods in the sun, and sometimes in chilly or rainy weather. On a regular basis the conditions will involve working in air contaminated with chemical dust and sprays being applied to trees and shrubs. The incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing during pesticide/herbicide application; as well as normal safety items such as gloves, boots, glasses, etc. Because of the duties performed there is the chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts and scrapes and occasional possibility of broken bones from falls.