Education Technician

Clarification from the agency

The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 6 months (1,039 hours) work in a service year. Dates of employment will vary between park 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. For information about work season, government housing availability, and rate of pay, please review the "Duties" below.

Duties

Major Duties:

Researches, develops, and presents education programs about park resources as assigned. Programs are taught both on-and-off site, are curriculum based, and adhere to NPS and park guidelines as well as the state learning requirements. Acts as park liaison working with park staff from other divisions to coordinate trip and training logistics to ensure a safe, smooth operation that seeks to protect park resources and program participants. Assists in organizing and presenting training workshops for park employees, teachers and environmental educators. Answers queries from students, teachers and the general public regarding park resources and education programs Works on special education related projects such as databases, educator resources library, web pages and park publications as assigned. 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. 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. Both parks provide a wealth of recreational opportunities via 835 miles of trails, wild and scenic rivers, alpine lakes, and caves, along with a full range of overnight lodging prospects to choose from that include 14 campgrounds. For area information visit: .

Air Quality: Poor air quality 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 often exceed the federal ozone health standards. For more information: .

Requirements

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. 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 will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. Government housing MAY be available. You may be required to work weekends, holidays, and overtime. 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

All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST when the applicant cut-off is reached (which may be sooner than 08/21/2024).

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: presenting environmental educational programs to varied groups of individuals; experience as a Teacher, Outdoor Educator, Interpretive Park Ranger, or Park Guide. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of 4 years of education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. Education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of GS-04 level specialized experience in education or interpretation and some advanced college level education (above the first 60 semester hours in credible for the GS-05). To compute qualification requirement, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required; then determine your total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal to at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-06 level in the Federal service that includes instruction in curriculum-based residential programs and/or environmental education. Examples of specialized experience include: independently developing and presenting education programs to school groups, writing and editing educational materials for teachers; implementing and training others in educational technology and distance learning programs for student groups; managing a residential camp program of youth groups; working as a teacher; maintaining professional dialogues with schools, teachers, students, parents, and other visitors; communicating effectively orally, electronically, and in writing. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: At least one year of graduate education in a related field, i.e., education, natural resources, cultural history, natural science, etc. Please note: one year of graduate education is considered to be 18 semester credits. You must submit transcripts. -OR-Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the experience) and 9 graduate level semester hours (50% of the education), may qualify an applicant for this position. You must submit transcripts.

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.

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 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 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.

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