Outdoor Recreation Planner
What you'd do
This position located in National Trails National Park Service, in the Planning & Compliance Division. Open until 08/20/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.
Major duties
Major Duties: Recommends policy or guideline changes based on issues identified and resolved during the course of planning projects worked on. Drafts press releases in coordination with the public information office and prepares other information for public distribution regarding the planning process. Participates in and may lead discussions to develop cooperative plans with Federal, State and Local agencies and private organizations on matters pertaining to the need for resource planning and protection in areas such as rivers, trails, wilderness, protected sites and land preservation. Serves as a planning team member on multidisciplinary teams of professionals and/or is independently responsible for a variety of comprehensive planning projects and studies. Prepares planning documents and components thereof, including scoping newsletters, foundation statements, analysis and summary of public comments, and summary of completions plans. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
What you need to qualify
Requirements Continued... This probantionary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probantionary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/20/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience demonstrates the ability to plan and coordinate the use of land, water, and related resources for recreation and conservation purposes. EXAMPLES of qualifying specialized experience for this position include: Gathering and analyzing data and information resources related to existing and potential outdoor recreation and natural resources conservation; preparing data summaries and basic drafts of supporting material for inclusion in recreation plans and resource study reports; and carrying out the routine aspects of review and evaluation of project proposals requesting technical assistance. You must include hours worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LLB. or J.D., if related. Qualifying graduate education must include: Major study in outdoor recreation planning or a related field such as: sociology, forestry, landscape architecture, economics, biological science, park administration, earth science, natural resource management and conservation, civil engineering, urban planning, or recreation. Applicants who qualify on the basis of graduate work in related disciplines must have one or more courses in outdoor recreation. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. EXAMPLE: Six months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), plus 18 semester hours of directly-related graduate level education in an accredited educational institution (50% of the qualifying education) equals 100%. You must include transcripts and hours worked per week. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 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 to at least the GS-09 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience demonstrates the ability to plan and coordinate the use of land, water, and related resources for recreation and conservation purposes. EXAMPLES of qualifying specialized experience for this position include: Work with Federal, State, or local community organizations Performing analysis and evaluation of outdoor recreation interests, habits, and needs of diversified groups; Prepare and review plans and programs for natural resource utilization and recreation area development; use plans and compliance documents to make recommendations to higher authorities. You must include hours worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or have successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or possess a LL.M degree, if related. Qualifying graduate education must include: Major study in outdoor recreation planning or a related field such as: sociology, forestry, landscape architecture, economics, biological science, park administration, earth science, natural resource management and conservation, civil engineering, urban planning, or recreation. Applicants who qualify on the basis of graduate work in related disciplines must have one or more courses in outdoor recreation. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. EXAMPLE: Six months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), plus 45 semester hours of directly-related graduate level education in an accredited educational institution (50% of the qualifying education) equals 100%. (NOTE: Only graduate education in access of 36 semester hours is creditable towards meeting this requirement).You must include transcripts and hours worked per week. 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.
Before you apply
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