Summary These are temporary appointment positions not to exceed 1039 hours. This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants will be referred throughout the announcement period. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions are filled or announcement reaches the closing date. The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (EST), February 10, 2025. Vacant positions are located at multiple park locations. Responsibilities Primary purpose of the position is to provide proper care and maintenance for lawns, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Incumbent will perform gardener work based upon seasonal schedules or project plans for the area, suitability of the weather, degree of moisture in the soil, and the stage of plant growth. Major duties include but are not limited to: Prune and trim trees and shrubs to obtain the shape, size and desired growth characteristics, and to remove diseased limbs or excess branches. Transplant trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants. Compute quantity of plants, seeds, and other materials needed for specific areas. Identify plant diseases and insect issues. Ability to measure, mix and apply fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and calibrate equipment for the application of them. Take soil samples for testing and interprets test results. Slit seeding, aeration, over-seeding, and major turf care renovations. This also includes safe operation and routine maintenance of mowers, utility vehicles, and field-type tractors with various attachments. Adams National Historical Park (Quincy, MA) 1 Vacancies Pay Scale: $24.92 per hour The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is May - November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 2025 Cape Cod National Seashore (Wellfleet, MA) 4 Vacancies Pay Scale: $24.92 per hour The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is May - November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 2025 Minute Man National Historical Park (Concord, MA) 1 Vacancy Pay Scale: $24.92 per hour The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is May - November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2025 Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. 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 wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. 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. 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. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. You must meet level 2 on the screen out factor/element and an average of level 2 on all factors/elements. For Wage Grade: Applicants must be physically fit and, as required in Office of Personnel Management Federal Wage System Qualifications, must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the elements listed in Section 25 of the Online Occupational Questionnaire to perform the duties of the position at the level for which they are applying. A specific length of time and experience is not required; however, you must be able to demonstrate the rough experience shown in your written application, that you possess sufficient knowledge, skill and ability to perform the duties of the 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) Technical Practices. Use of Measuring Instruments. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (other than blueprints). Ability to Use and Maintain Tools. Knowledge of Materials. Dexterity and Safety. Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Examples of experience for this position include ability to identify obvious plant diseases and insect issues; slit seeding, aeration, over-seeding, and minor turf care renovations; ability to measure; prune trees and shrubs. Experienced in the safe operation and routine maintenance of mowers, utility vehicles, and field-type tractors with various attachments such as blades, harrows, trailers to perform tasks on grounds and maintained landscapes. Experience in the use and maintenance of various types of hand tools, power tools, and trimmers. 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. CTAP/ICTAP: 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 or 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). 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/Working Conditions: Work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending, and stooping. Occasionally climbs ladders to prune or trim vegetation and lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc. Work is done outside and subject to discomfort from long periods in the sun, and sometimes 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. Required to wear protective clothing during pesticide/herbicide application; as well as normal safety items such as gloves, boots, glasses, etc. Due to duties performed there is the risk of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes and occasional possibility of broken bones from falls. The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.