at National Park Service in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Job Description
Summary Likely entry on duty: October – November 2026. Open to the first 100 applicants. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on 08/18/2026 to be considered. For more park(s) information, select “Learn more about this agency” below: Responsibilities Utilizes cross country skis under harsh backcountry conditions on steep and rugged mountainous terrain. Collects and records daily snow, avalanche, and weather observations from avalanche paths affecting Yellowstone Park roads, Enters information into database. Evaluates National Weather Service and Natural Resource Service products and data from automated mountain weather stations for inclusion in the avalanche forecasts. Conducts field snow stability tests and observations, and in conjunction with other observations from field personnel. Independently interprets and evaluates snow stability and issues daily avalanche hazard forecasts and warnings which are available to park personnel. Determines when/if avalanche hazard mitigation is needed. Using own judgement and experience, determines when avalanche conditions have changed sufficiently to recommend a change in existing avalanche hazard ratings. Responsible for determining road closures and reopening based on avalanche danger and weather conditions. Participates in avalanche hazard mitigations as a forecaster and/or howitzer team member. In the event of avalanche accident, serves as a first responder for rescues and/or prepares detailed reports of the accident and response operations. Develops and teaches avalanche safety training classes for park employees and partners. This position will be located at one of two possible locations, depending on operational needs and available housing. Lake Area Information: This position may be located at Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, elevation 7,750 feet, 52 miles south of park headquarters at Mammoth. Temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon in winter. Lake is a Yellowstone interior duty location. The road to this location is not plowed after the first weekend in November, and the location is only reachable by snowmobile or snow coach November through April. A pool of snowmobiles for personal use is available on a reservation system. The US Mail is delivered approximately twice a week in the winter. Schools are available outside the park. Many community services are available at Cody, Wyoming, 80 miles driving distance to the east. While there are challenges with life in Yellowstone’s interior during the winter, there are also exceptional winter recreational opportunities and few places on earth can rival the superlative resource conditions and ecological integrity experienced in Yellowstone’s interior. Government housing will be provided, at employee cost. East Area Information: This position may be located at the East Entrance in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, elevation 6,950 feet, 79 miles from park headquarters at Mammoth. Temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon in winter. East Entrance is considered an isolated post and few employees are stationed there. Many community services are available in Cody, WY, 53 miles to the east on US Hwy 14/16/20 which includes shopping, a hospital, schools, and museums. The road east of the station is plowed year-round and was described by President Theodore Roosevelt as the 50 most beautiful miles in America. Schools are only available outside the park. East entrance is surrounded by outstanding recreational opportunities both inside the park and outside the park in Shoshone National Forest. Starting in the Fall, the road to this location is not plowed after the end of November, and the location is only reachable by snowmobile late November through early April. A pool of snowmobiles for personal use is available but use may be affected by other priorities. Medical services, grocery shopping, banking, entertainment, UPS, and other delivery services are NOT available in the winter in the interior of the park. The residential area is only accessible by oversnow vehicles. Although this isolation is acceptable to some employees, many soon find it a hardship for themselves and their families. We strongly suggest you thoroughly investigate the winter lifestyle characteristics in Yellowstone National Park interior sites. Government housing will be provided, at employee cost. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Depending on location, government housing may be available. You may 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/or shift work. You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. If selected for a position/location 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 possess and maintain a current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification You must be able to ski under harsh backcountry conditions on steep and rugged mountainous terrain. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/18/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2-page 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. 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. SELECTIVE FACTORS: Due to the technical nature of avalanche science the position requires Professional Avalanche Training at the level II or equivalent (Examples: Recreation Level II Avalanche and Professional Avalanche Level 1). Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. -AND Due to the remoteness of the work locations and the need for prompt emergency medical assistance, this position requires certification as a Wilderness First Responder along with CPR certification.is required. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: measuri
