Public Safety Dispatcher

Summary

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCMENT. This type of announcement provides the National Park Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement.

Duties

• The following duties are listed at the full performance GS-08 grade level: Coordinate initial emergency response, evaluating incidents, soliciting all necessary information, and applying judgment according to interagency guides, protocols and pre-plans. Receive and evaluate emergency calls, soliciting information to initiate an appropriate response of emergency services personnel, acquiring critical information (law enforcement, fire, medical search and rescue, etc.) from the public and other public safety agencies. Use a variety of specialized computer programs such as NCIC (National Criminal Information Center), NLETS (National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System), and CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) in the performance of dispatch duties. Complexity of communication center will vary by park location. Centers may perform multi-jurisdictional all-risk incidents (law enforcement, wildland fire, structural fire, aviation, intelligence, medical, search and rescue, and other emergency services), and/or serve at an interagency level (collaborate with federal, state, county, and local agencies). Serve as the senior dispatcher on staff, providing orientation, training, and leadership for lower graded or new dispatchers. At this level, dispatchers are expected to be able to troubleshoot issues and contribute to more efficient operations by reviewing and making recommendations for improvement of operating procedures. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until . The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be, with subsequent cut-off dates of every 15 days. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Initial consideration will be given to candidates whose applications have been received before the first cut-off date. Qualification and/or time-in-grade requirements must be met for those applications submitted by the first cut-off date. Some positions are career seasonal. The nature of seasonal work may vary from year to year, which is generally based on budget, workload, and/or weather. A career seasonal work schedule provides for at least 26 weeks (13 pay periods) of full-time work, and as many as 26 weeks (13 pay period) of non-duty/non-pay time per year as determined by management. The non-pay time for these positions may be two weeks to six months but is expected to be two consecutive weeks between (ex. October and December). See locations below for non-pay time. You will have the option to continue your health coverage while in non-pay status. Positions may be filled in the following duty locations: Everglades NP- Homestead, FL, 1 position, GS-05/06/07, Perm FT, for additional info contact Davy Duca Great Smokey Mountains NP- Gatlinburg, TN, 1 position, GS-07/08, Perm FT, PCS Offered, for additional info contact Doraliz Heemstra Lake Mead NRA- Boulder City, NV, 6 positions, GS-05/06/07/08, Perm FT, PCS Offered, for additional info contact Kristin Lewis Mount Rushmore NM- Keystone, SD, 1 position, GS-05/06, Perm FT, for additional info contact Todd Grabow National Capital Region Communications Center- Harpers Ferry, WV, 4 positions, GS-05/06/07 and GS-07/08, Perm FT, for additional info contact Robin Thomas **Although the positions identified above may be listed as Permanent Full-time, these locations may also fill Permanent Career-Seasonal positions from this announcement.**

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 www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. 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 may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 year probationary during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary 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 probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/31/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, 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(s) or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: For the GS-05 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-04 grade level; OR A Bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (You must provide transcripts if qualifying based on education); OR Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. Examples of specialized experience are: Performing work that provides familiarity with public safety policies and procedures such as but not limited to working as a security guard, law enforcement officer, or emergency responder (medical or search and rescue); Relaying information from callers using a multi-line telephone or multi-frequency radio system to initiate a response; Serving as a dispatcher for safety or non-safety services (i.e. perform dispatch functions on a fire, construction site, other). For the GS-06 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level. Examples of specialized experience are: Providing dispatch and/or call taking services, related to public safety (medical, law enforcement, search and rescue, fire or other emergencies/public safety related); Operating computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to run queries and document communications. For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level. Examples of specialized experience are: Providing dispatch and call taking services in a communications center that provides public safety (medical, law enforcement, search and rescue, fire or other emergencies/public safety related) dispatch operation, in a complex environment (i.e. remote/urban environment, wildland fire, or other complex environments or situations); Coordinating responses to emergency incidents by initiating response of personnel and equipment according to agency protocols and providing communication and logistical support to responders; Operating computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to run queries and document communications. For the GS-08 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. Examples of specialized experience are: Providing dispatch and call taking services in a communications center that provides public safety (medical, law enforcement, search and rescue, fire or other emergencies/public safety related) dispatch operation, in a complex environment (i.e. remote/urban environment, serves more than one division, unit, jurisdiction, and/or agency, or other complex situations); Coordinating responses to emergency incidents by initiating response of personnel and equipment according to agency protocols and providing communication and logistical support to responders; Operating computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to interpret information, run queries and document communications; Reviewing internal operating procedures and systems related to public safety to make recommendations for improvement; provide technical guidance, orientation, and training to new employees or lower level dispatchers. 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. EXPLORE Act Veteran Hiring Pilot ProgramThe Department of the Interior has created a two-year Veteran Hiring Pilot as established by the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act that aims to expand employment opportunities for Veterans (and eligible transitioning Service Members). This position has been identified as EXPLORE Act Veteran Hiring Pilot eligible. The pilot supports DOI's conservation and resource management mission by connecting qualified Veterans with career opportunities across the Department. To learn more, visit https://www.doi.gov/veterans/explore-act.

Education

This position does not allow substituting education for experience at the GS-06, GS-07, and GS-08 grade levels. If using education for the GS-05 grade level : You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Benefits

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.

Required documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/31/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessment(s). All college transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Please submit both undergraduate and graduate level transcripts, as applicable. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214(s) (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF-15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF-15, and if applicable, a completed SF-15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.