This position is located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the in the Division of Resource and Visitor Protection. Pay range for the GS 07 grade level: $50,460 - 65,599 per year. Pay range for the GS 08 grade level: $55,882 - 72,644 per year. This position is concurrently open as Part Time to all U.S. citizens under Announcement Number SE-1630-GRSM-26-12855942-DE.
Requirements Continued 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/06/2026-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. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes at least two of the following: A) Serving as a certified operator of the National Criminal Information Network (NCIC) system; B) Serving as a certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher: C) Using a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system; AND having served as a Public Safety Dispatcher performing any of the following: Receiving and prioritizing both emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, and EMS incidents. Coordinating the appropriate response to emergency and non-emergency incidents and updating responders appropriately; Querying and relaying driver and vehicle information, person cautions, wants, and warrants for law enforcement contacts and investigations. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid NCIC certificate. You must include hours per week worked. To qualify for this position at the GS-08 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: Serving as a senior dispatcher in a complex dispatch environment of multiple units, jurisdictions, and/or agencies, provides training and/or assistance to problems encountered by lower-level or newer dispatchers, and informs them on the proper policies and procedures as required. Provides technical guidance, orientation, and training to new employees or lower-level dispatchers. Troubleshoots radio and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system issues and notifies the appropriate personnel or Dispatch Supervisor of the issues. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid NCIC certificate. You must include hours per week worked. 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.
Open to the first 150 applicants or until 01/06/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. The incumbent performs emergency and non-emergency dispatch and call-taking services for public safety-related incidents and operations in an emergency communications center serving a large National Park. Monitors and tracks equipment and personnel such as law enforcement, structural fire, wildland fire, aviation, vessels, and search and rescue using a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) program. Operates a multi-frequency radio console and prioritizes radio traffic and related communications. Utilizes NCIC and other law enforcement databases and records management systems. Other duties include: records management, general public assistance, assistance to other park offices and partners, and projects as assigned in support of the Visitor and Resource Protection Division. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. AREA INFORMATION:The Great Smoky Mountains are among the oldest mountains in the world, formed perhaps 200-300 million years ago and encompassing more than 800 square miles in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Dominated by plant covered, gently contoured mountains, the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains forms the boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina, bisecting the Park from northeast to southwest in an unbroken chain that rises more than 5,000 feet for more than 36 miles. No other area of equal size in a temperate climate can match the Smokies amazing diversity of plants, animals, and invertebrates. GRSM is designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and is listed as a World Heritage Site. At 522,427 acres, GRSM is one of the largest parks in the eastern United States. The Park contains 384 miles of roads; 930 miles of backcountry trails; 104 designated backcountry campsites; over 300 miles of boundary; 66 species of mammals; 200 species of birds; 39 species of reptiles, 43 species of amphibians; 68 species of fish; 730 miles of fishable streams; 342 structures, 97 of them historic; 10 auto campgrounds; and 3 major developed areas with concession operations. The park is in the states of Tennessee and North Carolina and is surrounded by five counties and National Forest land. Duty station is near Gatlinburg, TN located within an hour drive of Knoxville. The area provides a wide range of residential communities, good schools, and recreational opportunities.