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Tractor Operator (Seasonal)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
North Cascades National Park

Summary

Operates farm-type tractors and towed or attached equipment to maintain grounds, mow landscaped areas and median, plow snow, grading fire roads, grading parking lots, cleaning beaches and fire pits.

These positions may be filled for a seasonal period, up to 1560 hours, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: November 2026.

Open to the first 60 applicants.

For more park(s) information, select "Learn more about this agency" below:

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/20/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 20, 2026
This job will close when we have received 60 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$29.95 - $36.82 per hour

Actual Wage Varies by location. For specific wage information, reference the Federal Wages Schedules Website link found under Additional Information.

Pay scale & grade
WG 7
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Work schedule is dependent on the position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Temporary - Not to Exceed 1560 Hours
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
SSO-1545-PWR-26-13001124-DE
Control number
876202500

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Duties

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Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

  • Operates farm-type tractors and towed or attached equipment to maintain grounds, mow landscaped areas and median, plow snow, grading fire roads, grading parking lots, cleaning beaches and fire pits. Terrain may be steep, rough and/or uneven. Work may be performed under a variety of conditions such as mud, snow, rain, soft ground, etc.
  • The incumbent frequently operates towed or attached equipment from the seat of the tractor through hydraulic or mechanical controls. Equipment operated may include mowers, plows, harrows, chippers, sprayers, disks, post hole diggers. Performs sweeping with bobcat. Pulls rollers and water tanks. Moves dirt with backhoe. Runs chipper, chipping limbs cleared from road.
  • Work with multiple tractor/equipment connections such as mechanical drive shafts and hydraulic lines for power and control systems.
  • Properly clean, maintain, and store tractors and equipment after using in warehouse, storage sheds, storage bays, etc.
  • Maintain, fuel, and perform minor repairs to tractors, chainsaws, weed trimmers, and other diesel- or gas-powered small equipment.
  • Interprets safety rules and regulations and other posted rules for moving vehicles.
  • Performs daily preventative maintenance and make repairs and adjustments to tractor and equipment.
  • Work independently or with a small crew to install and maintain gates, signs, and other road associated assets.
Physical Effort: Frequent arm and leg movements are required to operate the tractor and manipulate equipment controls in difficult terrain. In addition, the work involves bending and heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds) in handling supplies and materials.

Working Conditions: Work is primarily performed outside, and the incumbent is exposed to all types of weather conditions. Because the work is often performed on steep slopes and in rough terrain the incumbent may be subject to injury from falls or overturned tractors and equipment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
  • Depending on location, government housing may be available.
  • Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
  • You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the 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 operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • Some positions may require tractor and trailer operation and experience.
  • You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/20/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:
  1. Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  2. Operation of Motor Vehicles
  3. Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
  4. Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
  5. Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
  6. Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
  7. Reliability and Dependability as a Tractor Operator
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. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. 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.

You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.

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

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

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 any time 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, or 1560 hours if the position falls under the Exception to the General Time Limits for Temporary Seasonal positions, 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 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the appointment limit 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 the appointment limit.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.

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.

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.

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.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. 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 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 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 Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  • Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
  • Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
  • Operation of Motor Vehicles
  • Reliability and Dependability as a Tractor Operator
  • Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

National Park Service

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. Click here to learn more about The Department of the Interior and its bureaus.

The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work. Click here to learn more about The National Park Service.

Agency contact information

Seasonal Staffing Office
Email
seasonal_staffing_office@nps.gov
Address
Seasonal Staffing Office-Pacific West Region
333 Bush Street - Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104
US

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