3 Tips for Applying for a National Parks Job

From the east coast to out west, urban to remote, short term positions and volunteer service, to a lifetime career, the National Park Service has opportunities for a variety of different interests.

As we welcome the next century of the National Park Service and look toward the future of our national parks, it’s an exciting time to learn more about the ways you can work at America’s treasured natural, cultural, and historical sites. Beyond that, the people you’ll meet on the job combined with the developmental experiences you’ll gain will last you a lifetime. Check out the video below to get a glimpse into the incredible people that make up the National Park Service.

As with any job, the application process can be daunting. We’re here to share with you some quick tips to help you on your journey to your finding your next adventure.

1: See What’s Out There

National Park Service

Like most federal agencies, the National Park Service recruits and fills positions through the government site, USAJobs. Start by inputting “National Park Service” in the keyword box and let the hunt begin. If you’re looking for a particular type of work, you can add another keyword after a comma. For example, “National Park Service, Public Affairs” or “National Park Service, Accountant” (note: don’t use quotation marks in the keyword box). You can also input locations. Whether you’re applying for your first government job or thinking about a new adventure, it’s exciting to look at the options.

Another great resource is the Jobs for Students page on the National Park Service website. There you’ll find information about the thousands of opportunities for high school, college, and graduate school students.

2: Do Some Research

North Cascades National Park

Deby Dixon, NPS

The National Park Service hires permanent positions, term positions (one to four years), and temporary positions (usually seasonal positions) with a variety of work schedules.

Permanent positions will enable you to obtain federal status, making it easier to apply for subsequent positions. Term and temporary positions can be a great way to get exposure to the organization and its mission and strengthen your resume. When term and temporary positions end, employees will have to apply once again through USAJobs. 

You can find out more about each position by looking at the federal series and grade code. You’ll likely see a lot of General Schedule (GS) or Wage Grade (WG) positions. (GS and WG are examples of the federal series and grade code, which the government uses to help standardize positions and set pay consistently across its agencies.) You can research the wide range of options at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website and you may want to bookmark the Frequently Asked Questions page. While you may not become a human resources specialist overnight, you’ll certainly learn a lot more about the jobs available across the federal government.

3: Ramp Up Your Resume

If you’re in the private or nonprofit sector, you’ve probably heard your entire career that you should limit your resume to one page. Well, it’s time to switch things up! Do some research on how to write a federal resume and take the time to expand that one-pager into multiple pages with specific, detailed information on your work and educational experience. Pay attention to the qualifications section for each position, especially the specialized experience and selective placement factors. You’ll need to meet the experience and placement factors to be considered and you’ll want to reference the exact language listed in the position description in your resume. Here is a guide that has some helpful tips.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

National Park Service

In your resume, be sure to point out evidence that you have the specific specialized experience that is required for the position. The National Park Service does not use a software program to assess its applicants, but rather has federally-trained human resource specialists review the applications. You must clearly demonstrate your background, skills, and abilities to be considered. It’s also critical to be clear about the number of months and years you’ve worked in a position or had certain duties. For educational credit, be sure to submit your most recent transcript with your application.

After you’ve pulled together a federal resume, share it with a friend or colleague for their review and be prepared for more editing. Constructive criticism is something to be grateful for.

When you feel that your application materials are in a good place, be sure to submit them by the deadline indicated. Good luck!

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