Guide

Guide

Download Details
GS-0090

Position Overview

Guides help visitors appreciate and enjoy the public lands entrusted to DOI.  Guides are first-line representatives who welcome visitors of all ages and backgrounds, answer questions, and conduct engaging and interactive programs to educate the public about significant features at a variety of sites.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Reclamation
National Park Service

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate has a keen desire to preserve and protect natural, historic or cultural resources and is committed to imparting this interest to others.  Guides must have excellent public speaking skills, and be able to work effectively with a variety of people, sometimes in stressful situations.

Work Environment

Guides work in a variety of environments, both Indoors and outdoors.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Technical and Medical Support Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Answering routine visitor questions
    • Providing basic information on activities, services and schedules
    • Introducing films, presenting map talks, conducting tours of historic homes

  • Mid:

    • Applying knowledge and appreciation of natural/scientific/historical/recreational features to conduct interpretive talks and tours
    • Providing services and information to visitors
    • Safely guiding large groups of visitors in complex tour situations such as caves, large dams or challenging trails
    • Assisting and mentoring new employees
    • Issuing camping permits

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Strengths by Level

Entry 2-4
Mid 5-7
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Conflict Management
    Manages and resolves conflicts, grievances, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Continual Learning
    Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Creative Thinking
    Uses imagination to develop new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to problems; designs new methods where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or are unavailable.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Information Management
    Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Resilience
    Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7
  • Self-Management
    Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
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    Entry 2-4
    Mid 5-7

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

93.6%

Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant

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2.1%

Information Receptionist

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2.1%

Maintenance Mechanic

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0189 - Recreation Aid And Assistant 2.1%

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."

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