Interpretation & Visitor Services Technician (NPS, Joshua Tree National Park)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the National Park Service at Joshua Tree National Park, is recruiting 2 Interpretation & Visitor Service Technicians.

The technicians will increase the staffing capacity at the visitor centers, expedite visitor services, and will communicate accurate and helpful information to visitors to help ensure they have safe and enjoyable visits.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Technicians will become familiar with the park including the ecosystem, geology, cultural history, geography, rules, and regulations;
• Technicians will provide visitor with current information on activities, park resources, points of interest, and interpretative programs;
• Technicians will locate and distribute park brochures, maps, bulletins, and other informational materials to visitors;
• If directed, technicians will prepare and deliver interpretive programs on appropriate and relevant park topics;
• Technicians will provide safety information to visitors and respond to emergencies as appropriate;
• Technicians will pick up trash as appropriate and take regular and appropriate breaks for rest, water and nutrition;
• Technicians will always abide by uniform regulations, employee guidelines, and park rules; and
• Technicians will not serve when they are sick. Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR) will be implementing guidance from federal, state, and county officials regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and other relevant communicable illnesses. Technicians must comply with all JOTR communicable illness preventative practices as a condition of their service. These practices may include social distancing, masking, etc. The technician will be informed of current requirements by their supervisor, the technician coordinator, and/or park leadership.

Timeline:

• July 2025 to October 2025, 12 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: 5 days per week, 8 hours daily.

Location:

The duty station is the park headquarters in Twentynine Palms, CA. Technicians will be assigned to Joshua Tree Visitor Center (JTVC), Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center (VC29), Cottonwood Visitor Center (CWVC) – as assigned. The nearest towns are Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Yucca Valley which has grocery stores, restaurants, Home Depot and Walmart. There is wi-fi status at headquarters and each of the visitor centers.  This park is in the desert where temperatures in the summer are over 100 degrees Fahrenheit but low humidity.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $20 hourly;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Required:

• Desire to gain knowledge of Joshua Tree National Park’s natural and cultural resources and be able to effectively communicate this to visitors;
• Critical thinking skills which allow the technician to provide appropriate information and suggestions to visitors;
• Familiarity with and commitment to the philosophy, mission and goals of the National Park Service;
• Skills and desire to work in a diverse team with a diverse customer base;
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions;
• Ability to communicate and work with a variety of personalities individually or in a group;
• Ability to work well under pressure, as visitor centers can become fast-paced and stressful;
• Previous experience with visitor center operations or customer service is desirable;
• First Aid and CPR certifications are desirable;
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record; and
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI).

Physical Demands:

• Fast-paced and highly stressful visitor centers;
• Physical health hazards in visitor center: sore feet, slipping, back pain, paper cuts, germ exposure;
• Hazards when driving on-duty could include but are not limited to: collisions with animals, humans, other vehicles, or stationary objects; weather-related accidents; vehicle malfunction; or road closures;
• Some technicians work may be conducted outside, where the weather can quickly change to extreme conditions; including extreme heat, extreme cold, strong wind, and heavy rain;
• Working outdoors involves exposure to environmental hazards like wildlife, venomous wildlife, sharp plants, hazardous terrain, UV exposure;
• Work requires that the technicians follow proper safety procedures and use standard safety equipment to avoid serious injuries;
• Work requires that the technicians follow proper safety procedures and use standard safety equipment to avoid serious injuries
• Physical labor involves the possibility of bruises, muscle strains, cuts, scrapes, and other injuries due to nature of physical outdoor labor;
• Working outdoors involves exposure to environmental hazards like wildlife, venomous wildlife, sharp plants, hazardous terrain, UV exposure;
• Working in a National Park involves some level of public interaction and exposure to potentially dangerous visitors; Unhappy, angry, and sometimes belligerent or impaired visitor and employee interactions;
• Technician’s service involves the risk of contracting communicable illness; and
• Technicians will comply with the park’s communicable illness preventative practices as communicated to them by their supervisor, the technician coordinator, and/or park leadership.

How to Apply:

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Notes:

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer:

Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.