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Seasonal Maintenance Worker (Leader)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Grand Canyon National Park

Summary

This position may be filled for a six month seasonal period, but can be vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March-July 2026.

For more park(s) information, please visit find a park.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/23/2025 to 01/02/2026
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$28.91 to - $33.72 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 8
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park
North Rim, AZ
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Not to Exceed 1039 hours
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
IM-1541-GRCA-26-12836427-DE
Control number
853027200

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Duties

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Leads a crew of between 4-12 employees in performing trail work to include resurfacing, maintenance, repair, and construction of trail bridges. Maintenance, repair, and construction of a variety of walls, bridge abutments, causeways, and other structures. Removal of hazard trees by use of a variety of felling techniques, use of wedges, and use of rigging techniques. Leads crew in rigging tasks in a variety of construction projects to include use of griphoists, wire ropes, synthetic ropes, amsteel, blocks, shackles, come alongs, winches, friction devices, slings, and chains.

Carpentry tasks to include maintenance repair and construction of buildings, associated trail-side structures, and facilities. Small engine maintenance and repair. Snow and ice removal using a variety of mechanized medium and heavy equipment. Actively participates in the Park Safety Program, to include holding daily meetings, safety walk-arounds and the instruction and use of personal protective equipment to be worn at all times.

Work leaders are expected to exert a great deal of physical effort while repairing trails. Travel to and from work can take several hours and can require hiking 3-4 miles to the jobsite and 3-4 miles back at day's end, often carrying packs and/or tools exceeding fifty pounds in weight. Work Leaders are expected to be able to hike up to 16 miles a day carrying up to 50 pounds of gear and tools. Trail repair work consists of moving rock, soil and other building materials by hand. These objects can weigh in excess of 100 pounds. Work is conducted in steep, rocky and precipitous locations. Elevation changes range from 8,000 feet on the Canyon's Rim to 2,000 feet along the river. Temperatures range from below 0 degrees in the winter to above 100 degrees in the summer. Working around mules can pose the hazard of getting stepped on, kicked or pushed.

Employee must be fit and able to hike and perform strenuous labor. Must maintain a drug and alcohol free workplace. Use of drugs or alcohol will be terms for immediate dismissal of duty. Work may require travel in a helicopter or boat. This position may require schedule changes to perform needed repairs or to cover schedules. This position often requires living in cramped quarters.

North Rim Area Information:
The North Rim District is located on the rim of the Grand Canyon amidst the vast public lands of the Arizona Strip. It is approximately 20 miles from the South Rim by a strenuous hike through the canyon or a 215-mile drive (about 4 hours). The nearest full-service community is Kanab, Utah, roughly 80 miles away. At an elevation of about 8,200 feet, the North Rim enjoys a mild summer climate, with daytime highs in the 80s and nighttime lows in the 50s.

Historically, the North Rim welcomed around 500,000 visitors between May 15 and October 15. The area featured a robust concession operation, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, guest cabins, a general store, post office, gas station, campground, and mule ride concession. In July 2025, the Dragon Bravo Fire significantly impacted the North Rim, burning over 145,000 acres. This resulted in the loss of key infrastructure, including the historic lodge, visitor center, and multiple administrative and housing facilities. As a result, most of the North Rim was closed for the remainder of the 2025 season, and all visitor services were suspended. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with a focus on emergency stabilization, cultural resource protection, and long-term restoration planning.

Despite these challenges, the North Rim remains a vital part of Grand Canyon National Park. Employees working in or for this district will be part of a dedicated team contributing to the recovery and reimagining of a treasured landscape. The post-fire environment presents unique opportunities for innovation, stewardship, and resilience.

Recreational opportunities in the region remain abundant, including hiking, running, climbing, canyoneering, rafting, road and mountain biking, and skiing. Nearby destinations such as Zion National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are all within a half-day's drive.

Employees are assigned quarters-possibly shared-in a cabin, apartment, or house. Due to limited housing, shared quarters may not accommodate family members or pets. For additional housing information, contact the park housing office at: GRCA_Housing@nps.gov

Requirements

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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.
  • Depending on location, government housing may be available.
  • You may 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/or shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • If selected for a position/location required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also 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.
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

  1. Ability to Lead or Supervise (SCREEN OUT)
  2. Ability to interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)
  3. Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  4. Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
  5. Knowledge of materials
  6. Technical Practices (theoretical practice, artistic)
  7. Use of Measuring Instructions
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. To be found minimally qualified, your resume must show the following: I am able to lead small work crews of 4 or fewer people in executing some of the tasks listed, including instructing crew members on the operation of equipment, trail maintenance, as well as safety policies and procedures. Tasks include: Executing difficult and complex trail construction and maintenance projects to the highest standards of durability, aesthetics and safety of the crew. Installing and repairing water bars, check steps, single and multi-tier retaining walls, drainage structures, rip-rap tread, asphalt tread, bridges and signs. Planning project logistics, executing and directly overseeing work, and providing primary quality control in the areas of rough carpentry, dry and/or wet stone masonry, asphalt tread, trail condition assessment, use of hand tools, and equipment operation specifically in a trail maintenance and construction capacity. Directly applying knowledge of the strengths, capabilities, and working load limits of equipment and materials used in rigging operations. Following instructions provided in various formats: oral, written, blueprints, manuals, etc. Operating skid steer loaders, truck/trailer combinations, and other related equipment. Applying best practices in trail work and trail equipment maintenance, as well as the proper and safe use of tools and equipment as well as adhering to mitigations outlined in a Job Hazard Analysis.

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

ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Click here for the Federal Wage Schedule Website to calculate location specific pay.

This job opportunity announcement will be used to fill one or more additional selections at anytime without notification.

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 Effort: The duties of this position require heavy physical exertion such as bending, lifting, etc. The incumbent is required to use hand tools and power tools to complete trail work and must frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 100 pounds. The incumbent carries and rolls rocks and logs both uphill and downhill, moves rocks weighing several hundred pounds with rock bars, uses hammers to crush or shape rock, uses jackhammers that weigh over 80 pounds to split and chisel stone, uses a shovel extensively, and frequently walks up to 20 miles daily and must be able to do so at a minimum rate of three mph.

Working Conditions: This position is required to live and work effectively and efficiently in an isolated backcountry area with people for extended periods of time (up to 6 months out of the year). The incumbent lives and works outdoors on projects in desert/canyon terrain with an elevation of up to 8500 feet and weather conditions becoming extremely hot or cold. Trail work is dusty, and hazardous conditions exist when moving rocks, and while working in and around rockslide areas, stock (mules, horses), explosives, falling and bucking trees, and machinery.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

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. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of the following 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 Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)
  • Ability To Lead Or Supervise
  • 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

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