Job Description

WHO MAY APPLY: All United States citizens.

The Northern Rockies Servicing Human Resources Office in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, is accepting applications through USAJOBS to staff up to 6 temporary positions of Trails Worker, WG-4701-07.

Duty Station: Yellowstone National Park
Federal government house is available.

Anticipated entry-on-duty date is April-May 2020.

Responsibilities

Incumbents perform a variety of technical construction and preventative and rehabilitative maintenance of backcountry trails and related trail structures. Construct and maintain log structures such as bridges, cribbing walls, bridge abutments, turnpikes, water bars, and retaining steps. Construct and maintain mortared and dry laid stone retaining walls, water bars, retaining steps, and dry laid stone trail tread. Operate winching and rigging to move large objects in backcountry work sites. Handle and work around livestock to pack/transport equipment, material, supplies, etc. Will also operate government vehicles in performance of duties. Provide direction to other trail crew members in leader’s absence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: An extreme level of physical effort is required which makes this position very demanding and arduous. Incumbent/s will routinely lift, push, pull and carry items weighing more than 50 lbs. individually, and up to 150 pounds as a working team member and often up to 500 pounds using mechanical advantage. Work will routinely require walking 4-20 miles per day at 3 miles per hour, over park trails to and from work sites.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Much of the work to be performed is conducted throughout the backcountry of Yellowstone Park. The incumbent will be stationed in remote backcountry areas of Yellowstone Park wilderness and will not have access to front country (road based) locations for 2 weeks to 2 months at a time. Work is performed outdoors 95% of the time in wet, cold, noisy, hot, dusty, windy, or snowy conditions. Elevations at work sites range from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. Incumbent will live and cook communally as a member of a 4-12 person crew camping in tents and cooking in a wilderness, backcountry setting.

Area Information: Park headquarters is located in Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. Elevation at Mammoth is 6,200 feet. Temperatures vary from an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit in summer to sub-zero at times in winter. A school is available, with kindergarten through 12th grade, in Gardiner, Montana, five miles north of headquarters. Free bus transportation is provided for school children between Mammoth and Gardiner. Many community facilities such as stores, a drugstore, day care, motels, and restaurants are available in Gardiner. A medical clinic is available in Mammoth. All other services are available within 55 to 75 miles from Mammoth. For more information about the Park click here Yellowstone National Park.

Travel Required

50% or less – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

None

• Job family (Series)

  4701 Miscellaneous General Maintenance and Operations Work

• Requirements

  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 may 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.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home, several nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

  Qualifications

  To be eligible for these positions, you must meet the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Qualification Standards which include the screen-out element as described in the Occupational Questionnaire and as outlined below. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  
  Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. Applicants must be physically fit as required in OPM’s Qualifications Handbook X-118C, and possess the competencies of the job elements listed below and in the online Occupational Questionnaire to successfully perform the duties of the position.
  
  A specific length of time and experience is not required; however, you must be able to demonstrate through 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.
  
  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.
  
  1. OPM Qualification Standards for the WG-4701-07: ABILITY TO DO THE WORK OF THE POSITION WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION. (Screen-Out):
  
  Experience must include: 1) operating chainsaws and/or crosscut saws; 2) constructing trail reroutes or new trails to grade and standard; 3) building supporting structures including retainer bars, drainage devices, steps, etc.; 4) cutting, shaping, and fitting stone and logs using manual hammers, jackhammers, chisels, axes, chainsaws, crosscut saws, scribes, and plug-and-feathers; 5) planning, laying out, and constructing complex technical work including log stock bridges, multi-tiered stone retaining walls, and overhead cable rigging systems; 6) backpacking and overnight camping in the backcountry; 7) using minimum impact techniques to store food and maintain a backcountry/wilderness camp; I am able to lift, push, pull and carry items weighing more than 50 lbs. and walk 10-20 miles per day at 3 miles per hour. I have also been responsible for overseeing and independently setting up, breaking down, and operating of semi-permanent minimum-impact wilderness camps for large work groups for an extended period of time (e.g. 2-3 weeks). I have experience training/instructing other employees in trail practices and provide work direction in leader’s absence.
  
  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.
  
  CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Must possess a valid state driver’s license by the entrance on duty date, if selected. Please provide your license number, state and expiration date in your resume. Do not submit photo copies of your license.

  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.

  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 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, weather conditions, employee performance, or other considerations.
  
  If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information,https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated ‘ineligible’, ‘not qualified’, or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.
  
  Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran’s preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified – applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified – applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified – applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

  You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements:

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
  • Knowledge of materials
  • Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instructions

  Background checks and security clearance

  Security clearance

  Not Required

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/24/2020:

  • Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  • A complete Occupational Questionnaire
  • Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
    • Veterans Preference Documentation:
      • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don’t have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
    • Applicants who are eligible to be considered based on a Noncompetitive or Special Hiring Authority (i.e. Schedule A, VRA, Peace Corps, Americorp Vista, former PLC member, certain Military Spouses, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Pathways Interns who have met the eligibility requirements for noncompetitive conversion, etc.) must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.
  • Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 80, on the rating criteria for this position.

  Do not submit photographs with your application package.Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials – you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
  
  Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency’s staffing offices.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered