Summary Positions are TEMPORARY seasonal not-to-exceed 1039 work hours in a service year. The primary purpose of these positions is to perform very heavy physical labor in the maintenance and construction of the trails system in Shenandoah National Park. Performs routine trail maintenance, rehabilitation and construction of graded foot and horse trails. Responsibilities Building, repairing, and maintaining erosion control structures, retaining walls, and tread surface and re-blazing of trails. Park boundary line maintenance, removal of vegetation growth, fallen rock and tree obstructions from trails. Trails may include ADA accessible trails with special surfaces, trails in high visitor use areas, foot and horse use trails in remote backcountry areas and trails in designated Wilderness areas. Trail work is performed with a variety of hand tools including shovels, picks, swing blades (grass whip), McLeods, pulaskis, rock bars, cross-cut saws, wheelbarrows, grip hoist, etc. and small power equipment such as chainsaws, weed trimmers, rock drills and jack hammers. Requires frequent strenuous activity. Selectees are required to hike up to 10 miles per day over steep, rough and uneven mountainous terrain into backcountry worksites while carrying work tools. At least ninety percent of work is performed in an outdoor setting. 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. POSITION LOCATION: Shenandoah National Park (SNP) 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 SNP is designated wilderness with over 500 miles of hiking trails and the iconic Skyline Drive, SNP 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 2 million visitors annually which results in significant resource protection and visitor management issues and incidents. Positions are assigned to the Backcountry, Wilderness and Trails Branch in the Division of Natural and Cultural Resources at SNP and work assignments will be throughout the park and will be determined by work projects and agency needs. Park Headquarters complex is located approximately 4 miles from Luray, Virginia; a small rural community located in the Shenandoah Valley with a population of about 4800 with all usual facilities and services. Nearby local towns include Harrisonburg, 33 miles; Winchester, 44 miles; and Charlottesville, 66 miles. Temperatures range from zero to mid-nineties, average maximum is 83 degrees with high humidity and average minimum is 26 degrees with snow and ice. 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. Work Schedule: You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. 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 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 Additional Selections: This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. 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 very heavy physical effort. The incumbent routinely lifts, pushes, pulls, and carries items weighing 50 pounds, and up to 150 pounds or more with assistance. Work will routinely require walking several miles per day over park trails to and from job sites. Working Conditions: Almost all of the incumbent's work will be outside in all kins of weather conditions. Work frequently involves the possibility of experiencing exposure to poisonous plants, bruises, muscle strains, cuts, and scrapes, sunburn, and insect bites. The employee must follow proper safety procedures and use standard safety equipment such as hard hats, gloves, ear protectors, safety glasses, and steel-toe shoes to avoid possible hazards and serious injuries.