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Resources Management and Sciences Chief

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Summary

This position is located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, in the Division of Resources Management and Science.

Government housing may be available.

Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will be paid if the selectee lives outside of the local commuting area and is otherwise eligible for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/07/2026 to 04/20/2026
Salary
$126,410 - $164,338 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Sequoia National Park, CA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
PW-1549-SEKI-26-12929188-ST
Control number
864033300

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Duties

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Area Information:
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks represent an extraordinary continuum of ecosystems (96% designated wilderness) arrayed along the greatest vertical relief (1,370 to 14,505 feet elevation) of any protected area in the lower 48 states. They are the highest, most rugged reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (including Mount Whitney at 14,500 feet elevation) and feature the world's largest trees - Giant Sequoias, including 7 of the 10 largest trees in the world. Sequoia National Park is the nation's second oldest national park (established September 25, 1890) and encompasses 404,863 acres. Kings Canyon was established on March 4, 1940 and encompasses 458,847 acres. The parks have been designated a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve and were the ancestral lands of dozens of Native American tribes. Both parks provide a wealth of recreational opportunities via 835 miles of trails, wild and scenic rivers, alpine lakes, and some 275 caves, along with a full range of overnight lodging prospects to choose from that include 14 campgrounds. For area information visit: https://www.nps.gov/seki/getinvolved/workwithus.htm.

Major Duties:

  • Manage all natural and cultural resource programs, including research, monitoring, and analysis to inform decision making and drive management action.
  • Oversee administrative and financial functions, including budgets, contracts, agreements, and staff supervision.
  • Serve as the primary representative with other agencies, tribes, stakeholders, and the public regarding resource protection.
  • Create comprehensive management plans and guidelines to preserve diverse ecosystems and cultural sites.
  • As a member of the park Leadership Team, plans, analyzes and monitors the formulation and development of park-wide plans, programs, procedures, operating policies, internal controls and program goals.

Air Quality: Poor air quality at times afflicts Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially during summer months - generally May to October. High ozone levels may be the most harmful pollutant here. In summer months, concentrations can exceed the federal ozone health standards on many days. For more information: http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/airqualityinfo.htm.

For more information about this position, please contact:
Clay Jordan, Superintendent Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Clayton_Jordan@nps.gov

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR a 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary / trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary or trail period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Requirements
  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement who have had a break in service of less than one year, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments. Time-in-grade does not apply to new excepted service appointments and must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Qualifications

**Requirements Continued **

  • 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 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.
  • 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 travel overnight away from home up to 2 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • Selectee will serve as Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
  • The position to which you will be appointed is subject to a financial disclosure reporting requirement and you will be required to complete a new entrant Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of your appointment.


Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/20/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the basic education requirement(s) for the series for which you are applying and the Specialized Experience requirements by the closing date of announcement.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
All applicants must meet the basic education requirement for their discipline: GS-0170, GS-0190, GS-0401, GS-0408, GS-1301 for at least one of the series listed below AND the specialized experience listed below. Please note: It is your responsibility to show how you satisfy the course requirements for the series(s) you are applying for. If you do not provide information that clearly shows how your completed college course work meets all of the requirements, you will be rated ineligible. Your rating will be based solely on the information you submit with your application. No attempts will be made to verify with you, or the school you attended, whether or not your course work meets all of the requirements. YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL YOUR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS.

Basic Requirement for History, GS-0170:
Degree in history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience including courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Basic Requirement for Anthropology, GS-0190:
Degree in appropriate field of anthropology.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience including courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in an appropriate field of anthropology, or related course work, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
-OR-
Experience including four years of appropriate experience in anthropology performing research, museum work, or similar professional-level work.

Basic Requirement for Biology, GS-0401:
Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience including courses equivalent to a major, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Basic Requirement for Ecology, GS-0408:
Degree in biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.

Basic Requirement for Physical Science, GS-1301:
Degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
-OR-

Combination of education and experience including education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic education requirement, you must possess the following Specialized Experience.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes: 1) simultaneously oversee more than one natural or cultural resources conservation or management program in a State or Federal Park, Forest, Wilderness, Refuge or similar setting; 2) represent a Park/Forest/Wilderness or Natural or Cultural Resources agency during conferences, public and stakeholder meetings, conferences, interagency forums and negotiations pertaining to shared natural and cultural resources; 3) develop and coordinate the implementation of work plans, budgets, technical reports, and public involvement efforts to accomplish resource goals and objectives for more than one simultaneous natural and cultural resources programs; 4) set priorities and direct the work of others in a lead or supervisory capacity; and 5) communicate and motivate others effectively orally and in writing. You must include hours per week worked.


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.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

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.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.


Physical Demands: The work involves both office and field work.
The office portion of the job is usually sedentary and will involve the usual amount of sitting, walking, standing, and bending associated with office and work, informal meetings, and use of office equipment such as computers and copying machines.

The field portion of the job will include driving, hiking, and carrying equipment. Thus the employee will occasionally carry a heavy backpack (up to 50 lbs) and hike over rough, uneven, rocky terrain or slippery surfaces at elevations from 1,000 ft to over 10,000 ft and in temperatures from 20F to 115F. Work involves driving long distances in hazardous conditions, such as four-wheel drive access areas, over steep and mountainous or rough high desert terrain. The position may require flying in helicopters and boating in varying weather conditions. Work requires the operation of a motor vehicle on steep mountainous roads.

Working Conditions: Office Work is performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office, which requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time working at a computer.
Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions (over 100 degrees F), steep and uneven terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Field conditions involve the employee being exposed to noise, dust, heat, weather, and aircraft turbulence. Work occasionally includes travel to different sites over long distance and exposure to extreme weather conditions (i.e. rain, snow, fog).
SEKI is known for its poor air quality. Work will be performed at times when there is poor air quality due to fires or smog.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for approved situational telework.

Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance consistent with your SF_50s.

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.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. 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.

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.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Leadership
  • Organizational Awareness
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Strategic Thinking


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessments, including a panel resume review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.

If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

National Park Service

Please visit find a park for additional park information.

Agency contact information

Jennifer Mengel
Email
jennifer_mengel@ios.doi.gov
Address
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271
US

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