Tree Faller (Seasonal)

Summary

The typical season is April through November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2027. Open to the first 180 applicants or until 10/26/2026 whichever comes first.

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Use chainsaws to fell trees of moderate difficulty and complexity with accuracy in developed and non-developed areas. Recognizes tree species, defects, wood characteristics and environmental hazards that may alter desired felling results. Works in potentially hazardous conditions while being exposed to inclement weather, steep terrain, and associated risks related to forest and timber industries. Provides for public safety, protects property and surrounding environment to minimize impact. Installs and utilizes rigging equipment such as ropes/cables, nylon slings, pulleys, friction devices and attachment hardware to hold, lower or maneuver tree sections when working in limited spaces above or adjacent to buildings or other valued property. May be assigned to assist in prescribed and suppression fire activities. Government Housing may be available. Drives medium duty trucks (up to 14,000 pounds) while towing equipment on narrow, winding, steep roads in all weather conditions. Operates aerial lift trucks, brush chippers, stump grinders, portable winches, portable blowers, etc. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks represent an extraordinary continuum of ecosystems (96% designated wilderness) arrayed along the greatest vertical relief (1,370 to 14,505 feet elevation) of any protected area in the lower 48 states. They are the highest, most rugged reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (including Mount Whitney at 14,500 feet elevation) and feature the world's largest trees - Giant Sequoias. Sequoia National Park is the nation's second oldest national park (established September 25, 1890) and encompasses 404,863 acres. Kings Canyon was established on March 4, 1940 and encompasses 458,847 acres. Both parks provide a wealth of recreational opportunities via 835 miles of trails, wild and scenic rivers, alpine lakes, and caves, along with a full range of overnight lodging prospects to choose from that include 14 campgrounds. For area information visit: https://www.nps.gov/seki/getinvolved/workwithus.htm. Yosemite National Park, California, known worldwide for its spectacular natural beauty is the backdrop for this position. Sitting astride the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the park covers 1,182 square miles of varied wilderness ecosystems, from river valleys to alpine meadows to lofty 13,000 foot high peaks. Yosemite Valley is located 208 miles from San Francisco, 81 miles from Merced, and 94 miles from Fresno. Shopping, medical, postal and laundry services are available in the park. Elevation at the Valley floor is approximately 4,000 feet and 2,200 feet in El Portal. The park is open year-round with the majority of activities occurring during the busy season March through October. Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit Home | E-Verify Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Have the ability to do the work of Tree Faller without more than normal supervision. (SCREEN OUT) This includes work such as: Operate different types and sizes of chainsaws in felling trees. Fell trees of various sizes in non-developed areas. Determine the appropriate method/process to fell trees, taking into consideration tree species, defects, wood characteristics and environmental hazards that may alter desired felling results. Determine and apply the appropriate specialized tools to fell trees in desired direction. Use ropes and cables to perform tree rigging and removal. Operate skid steer loaders, brush chippers, stump grinder and portable winches. Able to drive vehicles up to 26,000 pounds in all types of weather conditions. Able to tow trailers, requiring maneuvering and backing in areas of limited space. Perform pre-trip inspections of vehicles and equipment prior to use. If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position. 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

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions. How You Will Be Evaluated

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. 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. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job. You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints) Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of materials Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Other Information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay Temporary Appointment: This is a temporary seasonal appointment not to exceed 1039 hours. The appointment is expected to end upon completion of the season's work. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: As a temporary seasonal employee, you can be rehired in future seasons without reapplying, as long as you do not exceed 1,039 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) during your service year. Rehire eligibility applies to the same position or to another position with the same qualification requirements as long as it is a temporary seasonal appointment. Your service year is the 12 months that begin on the date of your first temporary appointment with the bureau, and it starts over on that date each year. Every temporary appointment you hold with the bureau during a service year counts toward the total. Once you reach 1,040 hours, this eligibility ends unless OPM approves an exception. These rules come from 5CFR 316.402[b][7]. Already reached the limit this service year? Don't worry. You are still welcome to apply to this announcement or any future one. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Some positions filled may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement Physical Demands: Must be in excellent physical condition. Must be able to operate all the different types and sizes of power chainsaws used when felling trees. Chain saws can weigh from 20 pounds up to 55 pounds. When loading trucks by hand on work site cleanup, incumbent lifts, pulls and carries limbs, small logs or firewood from 10 to 60 pounds. May be required to carry heavy loads over long distances to accomplish work assignment Working Conditions: Will work in all types of weather conditions to accomplish assigned tasks. Outside temperatures vary from 100 degrees (plus) in the summer, to rain, snow and wind with the temperatures below freezing in the winter. Works in a variety of vegetation types and elevations, from forest at the 1,900-foot elevation up to and above 9,000 feet elevation. Works in steep mountainous terrain where footing is often compromised due to ice, snow, loose rocks and soil or combination of all factors. Works with and operates equipment that produce fumes, vibrations, dust and noise requiring head, hand, ear and eye protection. May walk long distances carrying heavy loads and may live in spike camps under primitive conditions to accomplish work projects. May be required to work during adverse conditions and during emergency situations such as strong winds, rockslides, snow and rainstorms, floods and wildfires. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.