Seasonal Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)

Summary This is an excepted service appointment that does not confer competitive status. The typical seasonal Entry On Duty period for Sitka National Historical Park is April-September, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2026 NOTE: OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season. See the Additional Information section for details. Duties Duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Performs seasonal gardening and grounds maintenance tasks including preparing soil, fertilizing, planting, transplanting, watering, pruning shrubs and trees, aerating, mowing, edging, mulching, and removing invasive or unwanted vegetation. Maintains landscaped areas by inspecting plants for pests, diseases, or poor growth and reporting issues to a supervisor. Uses and performs minor maintenance on gardening tools and power equipment such as mowers, sprayers, aerators, and hand tools. Maintains grounds by removing debris and sweeping or raking walkways and parking areas. Regularly operates light-duty motor vehicles up to 10,000 pounds to transport tools, equipment, materials, and personnel throughout the park, performing operator-level vehicle checks and following established routes and safety procedures Please visit find a park for additional park 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 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 work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. Applicants must be at least 18 years old Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 03/16/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required. Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties. -AND- To be eligible your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration. The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraph. Areas considered "near" Sitka National Historical Park are Baranof Island, which includes the community of Sitka, and the adjacent Admiralty Island including Angoon, the adjacent Chichagof Island including Hoonah, and the nearby City and Borough of Juneau. -ALSO- The following are the competencies identified for this position. Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document, but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies: Knowledge of basic horticultural practices, plant care, soil preparation, lawn maintenance, and proper planting techniques. Ability to identify obvious plant diseases, pests, and non-native species. Use and maintain gardening tools, machinery, and light-duty motor vehicles. Ability to possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. Ability to follow instructions for chemical mixing and application, using required personal protective equipment. Performs physically demanding Education There is no substitution of education for the required special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof as outlined in this announcement. 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. Government housing may be available. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selectee. Alaska currently does not have a state income tax. Selectee may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries. OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season. This exception allows up to 1560 hours which may extend the season(s) reflected in this announcement. In support of Executive Order (EO) 14189 "Celebrating America's 250th Birthday" and EO 14314 "Making America Beautiful Again by Improving our National Parks," the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved an exception to the 1039-hour time limitation for this position. This approval may extend the time limitation up to 1560 hours for this temporary seasonal appointment. Physical Demands: Work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of lawnmowers, carts and wheelbarrows, bending, stooping, and climbing in and out of vehicles. Occasionally climbs ladders to trim and/or prune vegetation/trees. Frequently lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer grass seed, etc. Work Environment: Work is done outside or in a greenhouse. In working outside, the gardener is subject to discomfort from long periods in the hot sun, and sometimes to chilly or rainy weather. In some instances the conditions will involve working in air contaminated with chemical dust and sprays being used on trees and shrubs. The employee will be required to wear protective clothing during pesticide/herbicide application; as well as, normal safety items such as gloves, boots, glasses, etc. Because of the duties performed, the incumbent is subject to minor injuries such as cuts, scratches, bruises, and scrapes. 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. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.