Summer 2013 Seasonal Employment Opportunities

The 2012 Seasonal Staff

NPS Photo

 

Are you interested in spending a summer in one of New York City's most historic and beautiful places? Do you like working with the public? Do you have a strong interest in history or natural sciences? Does working outdoors sound like your type of job? If so, consider spending a summer working as a Park Guide or Park Ranger for the National Park Service at Governors Island National Monument!

Governors Island is a 172-acre island in New York Harbor, just 800 yards south of Lower Manhattan, that played host to one of the nation's longest-running military bases, with a military presence on the island continuously from 1755 until 1996. Today, the island is jointly administered by the City of New York and the National Park Service. The National Park Service's mission on the island is to conserve the island's two historic fortifications, Fort Jay and Castle Williams, and to ensure the public is aware of the significance of the forts, the island on which they sit, and the surrounding environs of New York Harbor.

Park Guides undergo an extensive two-week training session in mid-May and generally work a schedule of Wednesday-Sunday, 9:00 AM until 5:30 PM, with many opportunities for overtime. A Guide's primary responsibility is to present interpretive and educational programming to the public and various special groups on various facets of the island's history, as well as to ensure the protection of the historic resources and the visitor. All positions require employees to wear the National Park Service uniform. Housing is not provided for these positions.

See below for current vacancies for the 2013 season:

Currently Accepting Applications

There are currently no open vacancies.

Upcoming Announcements

Student Trainee Park Guide (GS-0099-04)

This position is for a student intern Park Guide at the GS-04 pay level. The pay for this position is $15.12 per hour. Primary responsibilities include:

• Presenting interpretive/educational programs of varying lengths, but up to two hours long, to the general public and school groups
• Researching, and at a developmental level, writing new interpretive programs for presentation to the public
• Opening, closing, and operating two bookstores/visitor information centers and handling large sums of cash
• Operating and providing tours of Castle Williams, a historic fortification on the island
• Presenting living history programs while wearing historic garb
• Assisting with the planning and operation of various special events at the Monument
• Performing various administrative tasks as assigned associated with the operation of a historic site

To qualify for the position, the applicant must demonstrate that they have the following experience:

• 6 months of general work experience, defined as experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform in a workplace setting; AND
• 6 months of specialized work experience, defined as experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the skills necessary to do the work of the job (examples include public speaking, education, writing research papers, making presentations, etc); OR
• 2 years of education above the high school level; OR
• A combination of the above.

Student Trainee Park Ranger (GS-0099-05)

This position is for a student intern Park Ranger at the GS-05 pay level. The pay for this position is $16.92 per hour. Primary responsibilities include:

• Presenting interpretive/educational programs of varying lengths, but up to two hours long, to the general public and school groups
• Researching and writing new interpretive programs for presentation to the public
• Opening, closing, operating, and conducting back-end administrative functions for two bookstores/visitor information centers and handling large sums of cash
• Operating and providing tours of Castle Williams, a historic fortification on the island
• Presenting living history programs while wearing historic garb
• Assisting with the planning and operation of various special events at the Monument
• Coaching and mentoring less-experienced staff members on interpretive technique and office functions
• Designing interpretive media products such as flyers, web pages, signs, and brochures
• Serving as team lead for special projects
  
• Performing various administrative tasks as assigned associated with the operation of a historic site

To qualify for the position, the applicant must demonstrate that they have the following experience:

• 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service, defined as experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the skills necessary to do the work of the job (examples include public speaking, education, writing research papers, making presentations, etc); OR
• A bachelor's degree in a related field; OR
• A combination of the above.

Generally, positions at this grade level are only awarded to applicants with prior experience at a National Park site.

Student Trainee Park Ranger (GS-0099-07)

This position is for a student intern Park Ranger at the GS-07 pay level. The pay for this position is $20.96 per hour. Primary responsibilities include:

• Presenting interpretive/educational programs of varying lengths, but up to two hours long, to the general public and school groups
• Researching and writing new interpretive programs for presentation to the public
• Opening, closing, operating, and conducting back-end administrative functions for two bookstores/visitor information centers and handling large sums of cash
• Serving as site lead at Castle Williams, a historic fortification on the island, to include providing tours and other visitor services
  
• Presenting living history programs while wearing historic garb and supervising historic weapons demonstrations
  
• Assisting with the planning and operation of various special events at the Monument
• Training less-experienced staff members on interpretive technique and office functions
• Designing and editing interpretive media products such as flyers, web pages, signs, and brochures
• Serving as team lead for special projects
• As required, serving as operational lead for all field staff
• Contributing to or generating reports on operational needs and status
• Working with park partners and permittees to facilitate events, programs, and permitted activities
• Performing various administrative tasks as assigned associated with the operation of a historic site

To qualify for the position, the applicant must demonstrate that they have the following experience:

• 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service, defined as experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the skills necessary to do the work of the job (examples include public speaking, education, writing research papers, making presentations, coordinating projects, training staff, etc); OR
• A bachelor's degree in a related field having demonstrated Superior Academic Achievement (defined here) or above; OR
• A combination of the above.

Generally, positions at this grade level are only awarded to applicants with prior experience at a National Park site.

How to Apply

All applications are handled via USAJOBS.gov, the Federal government's website for all Federal job openings. Applicants will submit a resume via USAJOBS.gov.

Positions designated "Student Trainee" positions are only available to students currently enrolled at least half-time in a certificate- or degree-granting program. All other positions are open to all US Citizens, including students.

More information on Federal jobs available for students and recent graduates all over the country can be found by clicking here.

Additional positions may be announced. Check here and USAJOBS.gov for the most up-to-date information on all vacancies.