Seasonal Jobs

Ranger Marie on trail with a group of young children

NPS Photo

Seasonal Employement

Seasonal staff are a fundamental part of the park team. Every year, people from many backgrounds and all walks of life help protect this special place and share it with hundreds of visitors, community members, and students.

Applying for a seasonal position takes advanced planning, patience, and attention to detail that may pay off in an unforgetable season as a National Park Service employee.

Interested in applying? Check out these tips crafted by National Park Service seasonal employees.

 

Search for Jobs with the NPS

 

Get to Know USAJobs.gov

All seasonal vacancies are posted on USAJobs. Visit USAJobs.gov to find all job postings for Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park or other national parks. Create an account to start applying to jobs.

Begin Your Search

Search "National Park Service" and select "Temporary" in the Work Type field. Narrow your search by using key words, location names, or zip codes. You can save a search by selecting the “Save Your Search” option found directly above the search results. Saving your search can provide you with email updates of relevant open positions from USAJobs.

Find the Job That’s Right for You

Most positions for the next summer season are released between early fall and winter. Read through each job announcement and its description. Check the requirements needed for applying. Anyone can apply for positions that are “open to the public.” Identify if any documents are required (transcripts, cover letter, certifications) and have those ready to upload to the site.

Build Your Resume

Read job announcements and use key words and phrases from description and occupational questionnaires in your resume. Federal government resumes are very detailed and many pages long. It is not uncommon for federal resumes to exceed ten pages.

Pro Tip: Utilize the resume builder on USAJobs.gov to kickstart your application process. This tool helps you include all required sections, minimizing the risk of accidental omissions that could impact your application’s success. Hiring managers expect resumes created with this builder, so take advantage of it!

Apply

Take the leap and submit your application! Complete the questionnaire provided in the application. This is not the time to be modest; your responses will directly influence whether your application reaches a hiring manager. Answer honestly, but be confident in your abilities and experience. Some positions will send an email for you to complete a secondary assessment.

Wait It Out

Your resume and application will be processed through several rounds of screening, typically taking place over the course of 2-3 months. You will receive an email if your application is referred to a hiring manager at the park for consideration. The hiring managers will send out emails asking if qualified applicants are still interested and available for the upcoming season, so keep an eye on your inbox and make sure that you respond quickly. Finally, you may receive an email to schedule an interview.

For more information, see How to Apply.