How to get hired for seasonal work in national parks as a student?

I'm interested in working in a national park during the summer. Does anyone know how competitive it is for high school students? What should I include in my application to improve my chances of getting hired?

Finding seasonal work in national parks can be a fantastic summer opportunity for high school students. That being said, the competitiveness can vary depending on the park itself and the type of work you're interested in. Some popular parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone may get a lot of applicants, while smaller or less famous parks may have less competition.

Now, improving your application and chances of getting hired comes down to emphasizing relevant skills or experiences. If you've volunteered or worked in roles that required similar skills (such as customer service, maintenance, trail-blazing or outdoorsmanship), be sure to highlight those on your application. It doesn't necessarily have to be an outdoor job, any job that showcases responsibility or interpersonal skills would also be valuable.

You should also communicate your passion for conservation, the outdoors, or the specific park you're applying to. Answer questions like: why are you particularly interested in this park? What drives your enthusiasm for the outdoors? Why do you think you'd be good at this job?

Furthermore, showing you are willing to be flexible can help. Many of these jobs may require variable working hours or living in the park for extended periods, which not everyone is able to accommodate. Showing you're open to these stipulations can demonstrate your commitment.

Lastly, it can be worthwhile to apply early, as this will allow your application to be reviewed sooner. Seasonal hiring often takes place in the spring for summer jobs, but it never hurts to check the specific park's website for exact hiring timelines.

Remember, landing a job is sometimes simply a matter of numbers. So, apply to several parks if possible to increase these opportunities!