Seasonal Gardener

Join to apply for the Seasonal Gardener role at National Park Service

This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants will be referred throughout the announcement period. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement. The last cut‑off date is 11:59 pm (EST),
January 30, 2026
.
Applicants are referrred through a continuous nomination process. To see the "NEXT STEPS" section for additional cut‑off dates, refer to the official NPS web posting.

• Performs cultivation of fruit trees, horticultural treatments, and maintenance of historic furrow irrigation system.
• Maintains plants in natural (revegetation), cultural sites, and native plant nursery by determining when plants need additional watering and how long they should be watered. Identifies weeds and, as directed, sprays with herbicides, and foliar nutrients for the control of plant diseases and weeds.
• Works with various hand and mechanical tools/equipment including trucks, lawn mowers, backhoes, dump trucks, weed eaters, saws, propane torches, sprayers, ladders, shovels, spades, chain saws, hand saws, pole saws, loppers, etc.
• Operates farm‑type tractors with attached equipment such as rotary or flail mowers, augers, tillers, etc., in the performance of the gardener duties.

The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending and stooping. The incumbent frequently climbs ladders to prune or trim vegetation and lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc.

The work is done outside and is subject to discomfort from long periods in the sun, and sometimes in chilly or rainy weather. On a regular basis the conditions involve working in air contaminated with chemical dust and sprays being applied to trees and shrubs. The incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing during pesticide/herbicide application as well as normal safety items such as gloves, boots, glasses, etc.

There is a chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts and scrapes and occasional possibility of broken bones from falls.

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• May be required to operate a motor vehicle; must hold a valid state driver’s license and provide photocopy beforehand.
• May be required to wear a uniform and comply with NPS uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Must be willing to work on‑call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid; relocation expenses will be the employee’s responsibility.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old or 16 years old and meet educational or vocational training requirements as described.

• Have the ability to perform the work of a Gardener (WG‑5003‑06) without more than normal supervision. (SCREEN OUT)
• Work history that demonstrates experience at Gardener duties such as knowledge of plants and gardening procedures to decide when and which standard method to use.
• Ability to install and maintain irrigation systems and electric fences.
• Ability to perform physically demanding activities including stooping, bending, twisting, reaching overhead and working on knees and working on ladders and lifting up to 50 lbs and working outdoors throughout the year.
• Skill in the use and operation of a variety of hand and power tools and equipment normally associated with garden work, such as seeders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears and sprayers.
• Ability to care for motorized equipment used in gardening operations, such as lubricating, changing oil, blades and sharpening blades.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. All qualifying experience, including volunteer experience, will be credited.

North Cascades National Park
:
Stehekin, WA –
Kim Dicenzo at

Joshua Tree National Park
:
Twenty nine Palms, CA –
Sheri Shiflett at  or Anna Tegarden at