Summary The primary purpose of these positions are to contribute directly to the park education and outreach program by presenting curriculum-based education programs in the park and in schools, assisting with teacher workshops and staff training sessions, assisting in the development of curriculum-based materials, presenting special request programs in the park or for community outreach events, presenting special emphasis children's programs such as Junior ranger and youth camps Responsibilities Present environmental and curriculum-based education programs for kindergarten through high school students following established themes, learning objectives, curriculum requirements, and guidelines, utilizing teaching methods appropriate to each grade level. Lead learning activities that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving that connect students with the park resources. Conducts basic research and assists in the writing, review, and evaluation of education program learning objectives, lesson plans, and resource materials. Assist with the presentation of training workshops for formal and non-formal educators, and park staff. Create program props, worksheets, handouts, other audio/visual aids, and computer-generated presentations to enhance education and interpretive programs. Present special emphasis or seasonal children's programs such as Junior Rangers, summer school, and youth service-learning camps. Assist with day-to day operation of the education program including answering phones, record keeping, internal communications, correspondences, and materials maintenance and storage. Research, develop, and present resource-based interpretive programs for the public during peak visitation periods or if staff shortages occur. Contact with park visitors through informal roving assignments and at visitor centers and responds to visitor questions, emergencies, or other needs by phone, email, or in person. In addition to above duties, GS-07 positions will also: Assist with the development and implementation of internet-based distance learning education programs including webcasts and interactive, multimedia virtual field trips, videos, and student activities. Prepare and lead sessions at training workshops. Develop and present in-park and offsite special request programs for groups from kindergarten to adult audiences, including, community outreach programs and events. Serve as mentor for student interns and other team members POSITION LOCATION: Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia, approximately 90 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. The park consists of approximately 197,000 acres of land, including 80,000 acres designated as wilderness. Home to over 300 species of animals including black bears, white-tailed deer, owls, eagles, peregrine falcons, snakes, and Shenandoah salamanders as well as over 1,400 species of plants, Shenandoah National Park provides a variety of ecosystems along the mountain range. The Park offers biking, scenic driving along the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive, rock climbing, over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, horse trails, and some of the best night skies in this part of Virginia. Annual visitation is around 1.3 million, which has direct and extensive economic impact on the surrounding area (eight counties and nine municipalities). The Park hosts multiple special events and festivals throughout the year and draws more visitation in the fall to view the changing leaves. The park's natural, cultural and recreational resources are of vital interest to local and regional businesses, political leaders, conservation and outdoor recreation organizations, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Luray offers basic amenities such as stores and restaurants. Larger cities within two hours include Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Winchester, Culpeper and the Washington D.C. area. Additional Information: For additional information regarding this announcement or how to apply, please contact the HR Office at number or email provided in the announcement. For specific questions pertaining to the position being advertised, please contact Margo_Roseum@nps.gov or 540-999-3500 x 3488. When inquiring by email please include the announcement number NE-1612-SHEN-25-12617598-OC in the subject line. Positions are TEMPORARY seasonal not to exceed 1039 hours of work in a service year. This is an open continuous vacancy announcement. Applicants will be referred periodically 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 this announcement. The first cut-off date for referral is 11:59 pm (EST), December 16, 2024. 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. Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. Minimum Age Requirement: 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 All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/07/2025-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. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least three years of progressively responsible general experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal service and that demonstrated an administrative, professional, or technical ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in courses directly related to the position such as education, teaching, or training and development. You must include transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Example, eighteen months of the general experience (50% of the experience requirement) and 60 semester hours of college that included directly related courses as listed above (50% of the education requirement). Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of 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-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) that includes: planning, development and presentation of environmental and curriculum-based education programs for kindergarten through high school students following established themes, learning objectives, curriculum requirements, and guidelines and utilizing teaching methods appropriate to each grade level; development and implementation of internet-based distance learning education programs such as webcasts and virtual field trips, videos, and student activities; research, develop, and present a variety of place-based, educational programs on natural resource and/or cultural resource topics for diverse audiences. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education; OR I have superior academic achievement in an undergraduate degree. Major study must have been in courses directly related to the position such as education, teaching, or training and development. You must include transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Example, six months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) and 9 semester hours in related courses (50% of the education requirement) as described above. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. 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 To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Additional Information 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. Temp NTE Less than 1040 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. Temp NTE Less than 1040: Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Promotion Potential: Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor. Physical Demands: The work varies from sedentary to strenuous. The work requires good physical health with a clear speaking ability and the ability to walk on rocky, uneven terrain while carrying moderate loads, up to 10 miles a day. Some assignments may require long periods of standing or are sedentary. Working Conditions: Work is performed indoors and outside In varying weather conditions and terrain variances. Assignments may expose incumbent to biting insects, poisonous plants, and other discomforts. Incumbent will be in close contact with numerous school children and the visiting public for long periods of time. The position requires the proper wearing of the National Park Service uniform.