Summary This recruit is for temporary Laborer positions with the Roads & Grounds Unit at Shenandoah National Park. Duty station for the positions is at Big Meadows on Skyline Drive near mile-marker 51. This announcement has an early cut-off date (see Duties section for more information). Responsibilities This Open-Continuous announcement for temporary seasonal positions has been re-opened due to an exemption to the 2025 Civilian Hiring Freeze. If you previously applied to this announcement, you do not need to re-apply. Initial Cut-off Date: This is an open continuous announcement, in which applications are collected over several months, and have multiple cut-off dates. Applications will be considered throughout the open period of the announcement. * The first cut-off date for early referral is February 27, 2025. * Referral certificates will be issued when a hiring official exhausts current certificate and/or additional vacancies need to be filled. The primary purpose of these positions is to clear vegetation in steep, rocky terrain using chainsaws and associated safety gear and will include: Assist tree workers in removing hazard trees along the roadway and includes chipping tree limbs, bucking up and clearing down trees, and traffic control. Operate chainsaws on steep uneven terrain clearing vistas of small trees (slash cutting). Mowing operations includes a large amount of string trimming and riding mower operations to maintain grounds. Assist equipment operators to clear ditches, walls, clean drop inlets, and string trimming around drop inlet covers. Operate and maintain tools/equipment and vehicles. Load and haul equipment on 1-ton trucks with trailers to and from job sites. POSITION LOCATION: Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia, approximately 90 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. The duty station will be located at Big Meadows Maintenance Area, Madison County, VA, which is located on Skyline Drive near mile-marker 51. Working hours will normally be 7:00 AM until 4:30 PM with every other Friday off including weekends. Shenandoah National Park preserves and protects more than 300 square miles of nationally significant natural and cultural resources, scenic beauty, and congressionally designated wilderness within Virginia's northern Blue Ridge Mountains; and provides a broad range of opportunities for public enjoyment, recreation, inspiration, and stewardship. Within just 90 miles of Washington D.C. the Park provides visitors the ability to explore mountain peaks, hidden hollows, cascading streams, accessible wilderness, and stunning natural beauty. Approximately 40% of the Park is designated wilderness with over 500 miles of hiking trails and the iconic Skyline Drive, SHEN was established as an eastern Park that provided a "western Park experience". Due to the Park's easy accessibility to D.C and other highly populated areas along the east coast, visitation exceeds 1.4 million visitors annually which results in significant resource protection and visitor management issues and incidents. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You may also be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You occasionally may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. Government housing may be available. Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. 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. Qualifications The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualifications System for Trades and Labor Occupations (X-118-C) will be used in determining applicants' qualifications. There is no specific length of training or experience required; however, you must be able to demonstrate through the experience shown in your written resume and your responses to the questionnaire that you possess the competencies to perform the duties of this position without more than normal supervision. To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision (SCREEN OUT) Work practices Ability to interpret instructions, specifications, etc. Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment Dexterity and safety 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. 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. Education There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions. Additional Information This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS). If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Physical Demands: The work performed requires the exertion of very heavy physical effort in operating large riding mowers; or lawn and garden tractors on grades and in areas with bushes, trees, and other visible obstacles that require significant maneuvering and lever control. The work involves lifting and moving objects over 50 pounds, and in some cases, carrying 80 to 100 pounds. Working Conditions: Outside work is usually performed under all kinds of weather conditions. Indoor work is often accomplished in office buildings or in well-lighted, heated, and ventilated areas such as warehouses, loading docks, or trade shops. Frequently exposed to weather and temperature extremes, drafts, noise, dust, and dirt and the possibility of bruises, muscle strains, cuts and scrapes. The equipment, tools, and tasks involved frequently require extreme care and use of safety gloves, ear plugs, safety glasses, or respirators to avoid severe injuries.