***OUTREACH***
Guide
GS-0090-04
OZARK-ST FRANCIS NATIONAL FORESTS
SYLAMORE-ST FRANCIS RANGER DISTRICTS
BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS
The Ozark-St. Francis National Forest is seeking candidates to fillfour,GS-0090-04,Guide positions on the Sylamore-St Francis Ranger Districts.Thesepositions are located on the Sylamore Ranger District at Blanchard Springs Caverns, with the District Office located in Mountain View, AR.The duty station for these positions will be Fifty Six, AR.
These are temporary, part-time positions, not to exceed 1039 hours of work in a one year-period. These positions generally work between 16 and 40 hours per week, however, there is no guaranteed minimum number of hours per week, nor set work schedule. Interested applicants should be aware that if selected they will be working in a recreation centered field which will require weekend and holiday work.
Blanchard Springs Caverns is the only show cave in the Forest Service system. It is managed from a large above ground visitor’s center from which visitors embark on a number of guided tours. Visitor opportunities include walking tours and more adventurous wild caving opportunities.
The cave currently manages two walking tours, the Dripstone and Discovery tours. Both walking tours engage visitor groups of up to 34 visitors and guides deliver informational and interpretive messages while conducting groups along improved paths during these hour long tours. Emphasis is placed on engaging and entertaining individuals while ensuring the cave ecosystem is protected from harm. The Wild Cave Tour is a very popular high adventure trip though rough, unimproved passages of the cave which is not for everyone due to its inherently arduous nature.
Blanchard Springs Caverns is also the center of a large recreation complex which includes numerous other recreation attractions such as campgrounds, a small fishing lake, trails, a large spring, day-use pavilions, shower and bathhouses, and swim beaches. The Blanchard Springs Caverns Visitor Information Center (VIC) is a high traffic hub of visitor activity on the District.
Duties for these positions include:
Serves as lead guide on two 1 to 1 1/2 hour tours with up to 34 visitors per tour. Greets each tour group, collects tour tickets, and explains tour rules, policies and procedures. Identifies any special needs of tour members and screens group to eliminate pets, intoxicated visitors, etc. Loads and unloads groups into and out of elevators and buses to and from the caverns. Presents an interpretive message about the caverns and the surrounding area, and answers a variety of related questions. Maintains control of the tour group, advises on hazards and enforces safety regulations and rules of conduct. Also serves as trail guide on tours. The trail guide follows the tour group to insure group stays together, turns off lights, and handles emergency situations. While working at the Visitor Information Center;greets visitors, answers questions and provides information about nearby recreational opportunities. Occasionally administers first aid to visitors.
The guide staff will also be expected to perform routine cleaning, maintenance and visitor service duties at the caverns and in the recreation complex. The recreation complex includes days use areas and camp grounds. Maintenance tasks include sweeping, mopping, dusting, cleaning/stocking restrooms, cleaning windows, rearranging furniture, mowing and edging the lawn, blowing/raking leaves, herbicide application to control weeds, removing downed limbs and hazard trees, picking up litter, emptying trash and recycle bins.
Daily uniform wear is expected. Uniforms and facilities should always be well presented to the public.
The Sylamore-St. Francis Ranger Districts operate with a team approach. Although fire line duties are not a requirement of the position, all employees will assist in the fire program to the extent that their physical fitness and training will allow.
Sylamore Ranger District
The Sylamore (SYL-a-more) Ranger District is located in Stone County, in North Central Arkansas. The District is approximately 133,000 acres in size. The District is bordered on the north and east by the White River, renowned for its trout fishing. On the west side of the District is the Buffalo National River, managed by the National Park Service and the first National River established in the country. South of the District is the town of Mountain View.
The Sylamore takes in rolling hills, bluffs, caves, creeks and river bottoms. The Leatherwood Wilderness and the Lower Buffalo River Wilderness together make up 37,000 acres of trail-less solitude. Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the premier show caves in the country and is operated by the US Forest Service. The North Sylamore Hiking Trail, the Ozark Highlands Trail, the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail and the Sylamore Shooting Range are major attractions of the Forest.
The District office is located in Mountain View, AR, a town of about 2,900. Mountain View is located thirty-eight miles west of Batesville and fifty miles south of Mountain Home. Little Rock, the state capitol, is located approximately two hours away - 110 miles due south.
The average winter temperature in Mountain View is about 40 degrees with an average daily minimum of 31 degrees. In the summer the average daily temperature is 80 degrees, with an average daily maximum temperature of 92 degrees. The annual rainfall is about 45 inches. The average annual seasonal snowfall is six inches.
The Community
As its name implies, Mountain View is snuggled into the rolling hills and hollows of the Ozark Mountains. The town is home to two large tourist attractions, namely Blanchard Springs Caverns and the Ozark Folk Center State Park, which is operated by Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Mountain View hosts two festivals, the Folk Festival in April and the Beanfest and Great Outhouse Race in October. Both festivals attract 60,000 to 80,000 visitors annually. There are many other smaller fests throughout the year. Most all year round visitors come to enjoy or join in with the musicians “pickin’ on the square”. Because of tourism there are many craft shops, 16 eating establishments (including fast food places) and six music shows for the evenings. Most visitor-oriented businesses are busiest from April through October.
Schools: Mountain View has one public school K-12, as well as a community college for continuing education.
Churches: Most major denominations are represented in the area.
Medical Services: Stone County Medical Center is a branch of the White River Medical Center of Batesville. Several doctors, an orthopedic specialist, dentists, chiropractors, and an optometrist all practice here.
Hotels: There are 11 motels and 9 bed-and-breakfasts in Mountain View. There are also more than 10 cabin/guesthouse operations and 6 RV parks.
Housing: Rentals are few and sales of homes range from $50,000 to $100,000 and up.
Newspapers: There are two local weekly papers and the statewide paper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, is delivered here.
Transportation: There is no public transportation in or out of Mountain View. There is a 3,000 foot airstrip open to the public. Commercial service is available from Little Rock and Memphis.
Other local services: Stone County offers a swimming pool, baseball complex, tennis courts, public library, and a walking path. There are six banks, three grocery stores, and two lumber yards, Wal-Mart, several fast food establishments, print shop, drug stores and several fine restaurants.
Suggested web pages;
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Qualifications for this position can be found in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, which is available from any Federal Government Personnel Office or the OPM web site (
Guide Series, 0090
Individual Occupational Requirements
Education and Experience
Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Experience that involved oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; or developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups.
OR
Education and Training
ForGS-3: Successful completion of 1 year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in courses such as American history, science, and/or public speaking.
ForGS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects such as those shown above for GS-3.
HOW TO APPLY: The vacancy announcement for this position will be posted on the U.S. Government's official website for employment opportunities, January 16, 2017 through January 20, 2017.Please respond by January 13, 2017 to be notified when the vacancy announcement is posted.
SALARY:The current basic hourly rate for a GS-4 is $13.68.
CONTACT INFORMATION: If you are interested in this position, or would like additional information please contact:
Blanchard Springs Caverns, Acting Supervisory Guide, Paul McIntosh, (870) 757-2211 ext. 2213, or
Sylamore-St Francis RD’s, Visitor Information Assistant,Alicia Avey at (870) 757-2211 ext. 2223, or
Thank you for your interest in this position!
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest’s
OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM
Guide
GS-0090-04
Blanchard Springs Caverns, Sylamore Ranger District
Mountain View, AR
PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
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CURRENT SERIES AND GRADE:
ARE YOU CURRENTLY A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? YES NO
IF YES, CURRENT AGENCY AND LOCATION:
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: PERMANENT ___TEMPORARY X TERM
If you are NOT a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible for appointment under any of the following special authorities (check appropriate box):
Veterans Recruitment Act ______Disabled Veteran w/30% Compensable Disability ______
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OTHER, please describe: ______
If you are interested in applying for this position, please return your completed form on or before close of business January13, 2017 via e-mail to Paul McIntoshat: or by surface mail:
USDA Forest Service
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Attn:Paul Mcintosh
1001 East Main
Mountain View, AR 72560
- Current and Upcoming Forest Service Job Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in our vacancy!