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Seasonal Utility Systems Operator Helper

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Pacific West Region (Interior Regions 8,9,10,12) - Yosemite National Park

Summary

This is an open continuous vacancy announcement. Applicants will be referred periodically throughout the announcement period. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement. The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (est), 12/26/ 2025. For more information and cutoff dates, see Next Steps section in this announcement.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/11/2025 to 01/23/2026
Salary
$20.97 to - $24.49 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 5
Location
Yosemite National Park, CA
8 vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel 10 nights a month for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1039 Hours
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
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
PW-1549-SR-26-12842498-DE
Control number
852131900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Under this announcement, we are accepting applications from: 1. All United States Citizens (U.S. Citizens) 2. CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles

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Duties

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Yosemite National Park: 8 Vacancies The typical seasonal period is May to November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May-June 2026 Salary Range: $20.97 - $24.49 per hour. For additional information regarding the open positions for this park, reach out to:Shawn Zumbrunnen, at shawn_zumbrunnen@nps.gov or 209-379-1250

The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 hours work in a service year. Dates of employment will vary between sites depending on funding, weather conditions and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding.

  • The efficient operation of water treatment facilities and collection systems including lift stations, distribution systems, composting toilets, and comfort stations.
  • Janitorial duties for composting toilets, comfort stations and remote toilet facilities;
  • Routine maintenance operations on composting toilets, raking piles, adding bulking agent, removing trash, and removing composted end-product;
  • Checks for proper operation of composting tank ventilation fans;
  • Documents information on the daily log which includes pile temperature, liquid level, visitor count, bulking agent added and toilet paper added.
  • Follows procedures preparing chlorine solutions from stock, obtaining daily chlorine residuals and turbidity measurements and recording results on water reports, collecting routine bacteriological samples and transporting them to the lab;
  • Monitors gauges, meters and control panels of water treatment plants.
  • Assists in performing routine maintenance to septic tanks, including mixing solids, inspecting solids, and assisting operator with sludge pumping.
Physical Demands: Regularly lifts, carries and handles items weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifts and carries items of up to 90 pounds, unassisted; may use mechanical equipment or seek assistance of other workers to handle very heavy items. Extreme effort is occasionally required in the operation of wrenches or other hand tools. There is frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, and stooping. Incumbent works in uncomfortable positions for extended periods. Frequently hikes over steep, mountainous terrain with a backpack. Incumbent may be required to hike up to 15 miles per day at elevations of up to 11,000 feet.

Working Conditions: The incumbent services numerous widely separated facilities in remote locations. Could be exposed to noise from machinery and tools, rotating machinery, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, fumes, and sewage. May be exposed to the possibility of burns, cuts, abrasions and infection. Works with and around stock animals. Incumbent usually works outside and occasionally indoors. Is subject to adverse weather conditions and may be required to work in temperatures from zero to 120 degrees F. and at elevations from sea level to 11,000 feet. Incumbent must follow prescribed safety practices and may be required to use various types of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as protective clothing, eye protection, hearing protection, hard hats, gloves, steel-toe shoes, and respirators.

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.
  • 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 work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 10 nights per month. You may have to obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
  • Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility.

Qualifications

Have the ability to do the work of and Utility Systems Operator Helper without more than normal supervision. (Screen out). Work history demonstrates experience as an Utility Systems Operator Helper performing the following duties: collected water samples; conducted and recorded basic water sampling tests (ex. chlorine and turbidities); used basic water treatment equipment (ex. colorimeters and turbidity meters); monitored pumping equipment and gauges; performed routine maintenance on turbidity machines (ex. cleaning, lubricating, changing filters); worked safely with hazardous substances (including sodium hypochlorite), flammables (ex. propane, solvents, gasoline) and in the presence of disease-causing organisms; performed janitorial duties and routine maintenance on toilet facilities.

Additional information on the specific qualification requirements for this position are found in the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations. It is available for review on OPM's web site at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118C/index.htm

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. 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: 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. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).

Education

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

Additional information

Government housing is available.

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR 575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

Temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 regular hours in a service year may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs.

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.

Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Effective May 26, 2018, please note that a temporary seasonal employee can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of 1,039 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 1,039 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1,039 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 1,039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1,039 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

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. 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 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, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of two categories:

  • 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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
  • Operation of Water Treatment Systems
  • Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments

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