Maintenance Worker (Trails)

Summary The mission of the Fish and Wildlife Service is to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing enjoyment of people. The National Wildlife Refuge System exists to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the U.S. for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. Duties This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 7, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Soldotna, Alaska. At the full performance level (WG-05) the major duties of the Maintenance Worker position include, but are not limited to the following: Coordinates transporting camp and work supplies, construction materials and trail crew laborers by foot boat, truck, fixed wing and rotary aircraft. Coordinates the maintenance and construction of public use trails including the trail drainage features, boardwalks and trail bridges. Removes downed trees, rockslides, surface outcroppings, and debris from trails. Uses hand and power tools safely and effectively in performing assigned work including chainsaws and crosscut saws. Maintains hand and power tools used in performing assigned work. Qualifications Requirements Continued... As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This 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 trial your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Special knowledge or expertise concerning Alaska public lands natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required. Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties. -AND- To be eligible your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived and/or worked in or near Alaska public lands. -ALSO- The following are the competencies identified for this position. Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies: Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading) Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc. Use of Measuring Instruments Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Special knowledge or expertise concerning the natural or cultural resources of public lands and the management thereof. Knowledge of weather, river channels and conditions, snowmobile trail conditions, and travel routes to safely travel on or near a refuge or other public lands in a variety of conditions. 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 the required special knowledge or expertise as outlined in this announcement.