Getting a job at a US national park, even just for the summer, can prove to be a truly memorable experience. It affords opportunities to meet new and interesting people, and, above all, to learn about the outdoors and explore some of the most beautiful protected lands and wilderness areas that the country has to offer. In this segment, I'll cover some of the basics about applying for seasonal and full-time employment at national parks and other federal land agencies; in the next segment, I'll discuss volunteer opportunities.
Getting Started
Most of the jobs at national parks are available either through the federal government or through park concessionaires, which are private companies that provide temporary workers to cater to visitor needs such as food, lodging, gas, and gifts, that are not easily managed by National Park Service personnel.
All government positions are filled in accordance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations. Normally, a person seeking an initial appointment to a permanent position must acquire eligibility through an OPM register, though some positions may be applied for directly to the National Park Service. Your best source of information about a job is the examination announcement covering that job. An announcement explains the job, what it pays, what experience or education is necessary to qualify, and how to apply. The OPM maintains the U.S. Government's official site for jobs and employment information. Not only does it provide a list of current job openings, but it includes options for online application.
Before looking at the OPM job announcements, take a look at the National Park Service careers page. It covers general employment information, the application and hiring process, seasonal employment, and basic information on various positions such as park ranger, park police, guard, and administrative and other positions.
Working for a Concessionaire
Even as far back as the early days of the National Park Service, it was recognized that many Americans would not visit parks if they did not offer basic facilities such as lodging and dining. Over the years, the National Park Service has awarded contracts to private companies to manage basic visitor services, including staffing of hotels, lodges, restaurants, and gift shops. Private companies also provide other types visitor services such as transportation within the park, and activities such as horseback riding, rafting, and so on. By some estimates, about 40% of all federal conservation organization employees are seasonal workers.
Cool Works is a good source of information on park jobs available through concessionaires. It lists jobs in national parks, preserves, monuments, and recreation and wilderness areas, and includes information on upcoming job fairs and recruiter schedules. It also provides information on jobs at state parks. If you are interested in finding out about employment opportunities at a specific park, contact the park office and ask for information about the concessionaire or concessionaires that operate there.
Whether you consider applying for a government job or for one of the many concessionaire company jobs, following a few basic common sense rules will make it easier to land a job:
- When considering where to apply, be flexible. Don't necessarily limit yourself to a specific park or even necessarily in a specific state. You might want to consider an entire region of the country or open yourself up to anywhere that you haven't visited before.
- Consider applying for several different jobs. The position of park ranger might seem like the most interesting, but it is also among the most competitive.
- Before filling out a job application, learn as much as you can about the place you are applying to work. By demonstrating an interest and knowledge of an area, you will improve your chances of landing a job.
- Be flexible in terms of your willingness to accept different starting dates, to work weekends, etc.
- Start off by volunteering at a park first instead of applying for a paid position. This will help you to gain an understanding of the type of work involved and to help you decide if this is a job you would really enjoy.