Summary The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Fire Island National Seashore is April - Sept, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April - May 2026 NOTE: 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 dates noted above. See additional information section for details. Responsibilities This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants will be referred throughout the announcement period. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions are filled or announcement reaches the closing date. The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (EST), March 2, 2026. Provides observational surveillance of visitor activities within protected swim beach area. Responds to emergency water related calls. Ensures compliance with all rules and regulations governing use of the beach swimming area and natural resources of the area. Operates conventional 4-wheel drive and off-road vehicles (UTVs/ATVs) Maintains self and equipment in a state of readiness at all times. 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 submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. You must be able to pass the surf-lifeguard test within 30 days of entry-on-duty. Candidates must pass all parts of the test - includes the following: Swim 550 yards continuously in less than 10 minutes using a swimming stroke performed on the front only; and Run 1.25 miles continuously in less than 12 minutes. All applicants will be tested upon entry on duty. 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 due to hazardous duties (ie. driving a motor veichle). Obtain/Maintain a valid CPR/AED and First Aid completion certificate that is nationally recognized within 30 days of entry-on-duty. Pre-employment and periodic physical examination required. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. 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. GS-3 LEVEL: EXPERIENCE: At least six months of general experience. General experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples include working as at the YMCA, at a summer camp, Boy Scout/Girl Scout clubs, customer service. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year above high school. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. GS-4 LEVEL: EXPERIENCE: At least Six months of general experience as described above AND six months of specialized experience. Specialized experience is experience which is in the occupation of the position to be filled, in a related occupation, or in one of the specialized areas within that occupation, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position specialized experience is defined as experience assisting in the organization and administration of recreation activities; and providing observational surveillance of visitor activities within protected swim or beach area. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least two years above high school with some courses in recreation or physical education. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. GS-5 LEVEL: EXPERIENCE: At least One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level. Specialized experience is experience which is in the occupation of the position to be filled, in a related occupation, or in one of the specialized areas within that occupation, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position specialized experience is defined as experience assisting in the organization and administration of recreation activities; and providing observational surveillance of visitor activities within protected swim or beach area. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of four years above high school, leading to a bachelor's degree, in any field with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to recreation or physical education. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. 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 accredited institution 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 education completed in foreign colleges or universities 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. 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. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 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 temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 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 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. NOTE: In support of Executive Order (EO) 14189 "Celebrating America's 205th 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 extends the time limitation to 1560 hours for this temporary seasonal appointment. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Physical Demands: May require long periods of standing or sitting atop a fixed lifeguard tower, walking or running over rough uneven hazardous surfaces, exposure to the sun, sand, wind, and rain, and lifting moderately heavy items. Strenuous exertion is required in search and rescue operations. The incumbent is required to perform daily rigorous workouts (swimming, running, paddling, and strength training).Working Conditions: Work is performed indoors and outdoors, Incumbent may be subject to weather variances and biting insects, as well as subject to cold water, waves, hot humid weather and marine organisms. Necessary safety precautions may include the use of insect repellents, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, protective clothing and gear.