Summary This position is located at the Blanchard Springs Caverns Recreation Area and Visitor Information Center, Sylamore Ranger District, Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. The mission is to provide information and interpretive services to visitors concerning the natural and historic features of the areas of interest on the unit which assigned. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Shane Avey at 870-757-2211 email [email protected] Responsibilities Duties Listed are at the GS-5 Level. Develops interpretive tours by researching topics using sources such as current interpretive materials, records, books, files, and information gathered through interviews. Provides information to the public about the Forest Service. Greets each tour group, explains tour rules, policies and procedures, and safety. Greets visitors, answers questions about the Forest Service, the caverns exhibit, recreational opportunities in the surrounding area and providing recreational maps and brochures to the general public. Takes action as necessary to safeguard the visitor areas and prevent accidents. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Applicants must have six months of any type of work that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the position or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation AND six months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 grade level; OR an associate's degree or two years of successfully completed education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses such as American history, science, and/or public speaking; OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. GS-04: Examples of General Experience includes Selling merchandise, collecting and accounting for fees or other monies, greeting visitors, disseminating information, providing directions, or other work which required dealing with people on a recurring basis; and that indicates the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience examples that involved oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; or developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups. Examples of specialized experience include: Oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; or developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups. GS-05: Specialized experience is defined as Planning and presenting guided tours to present natural resources information to visitors, students or other groups; serving as a tour guide and maintaining control of the group in hazardous areas; OR serving as an information booth operator answering a variety of natural resource related questions, explaining rules and regulations and reporting safety issues to the supervisor. -OR Successful completion of 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as American history, science, and/or public speaking. No more than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable. -OR A combination of education and experience listed above. 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 Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with Region 8 of the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed. Two Positions will be offered at the GS-5 level AND Four Positions will be offered at the GS-4/5 level at management's discretion. If you would like to be considered for all positions you must apply to both grade levels. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE. Forest Service daycare facilities are not available. Government Housing not available.