🚀 go-pugleaf

Cover letters, in my experience, are usually not read or, if they are,
don't carry much weight. Spend your time on the KSA's. Be specific but
not too lengthy if you can help  it (it's kind of an acquired art).
The thing with KSA's--they're ranked. In other words, certain kinds of
experiences get a higher score. The higher you score, the higher you
rank out on the list of qualified applicants. Every KSA has a set of
guidelines that the person ranking your app looks at. Unless you work
in personnel or have done some hiring for the NPS, you have no idea
what the guidelines are. It's a wonderful process (some sarcasm here).
Usually OPM or a personnel specialist ranks the apps, and only then
does the selecting official get them. They usually have to go with the
top 3 names on the list first. The reason to spend time on your KSA's
is that, unfortunately, many parks look ONLY at the KSA's and not at
the whole application. As one hiring official said to me once, "If
it's not in the KSA's it's not there."  Good luck!

mking








On 18 Jan 2002 17:44:41 -0800, kokopeli43227@yahoo.com (Ko Peli)
wrote:

>First of all, I apologize in advance if this post is off topic for
>this group.
>
>The advice I need concerns temporary positions with the National Park
>Service at National Parks, Monuments etc.  The application
>requirements are very specific for these positions.  Take a look at
>the following links to get an idea of what the job listings and
>application instructions/process includes:
>
>http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/IA0368.HTM
>http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI25.htm
>
>Some of the jobs require a write up called a Knowledge, Skills, and
>Ability (KSA) statement.  In the KSA the applicant is asked specific
>questions relating to their skills for the position.  My question is a
>simple one--the National Park Service seems to know what they want--is
>it appropriate to submit a cover letter personally addressed to the
>hiring official further discussing abilities, desire, etc?  Would this
>lesson hiring chances, increase, or not do anything?  Does anyone have
>personal experience with the NPS hiring process?  Also, any advice
>about employment with the NPS would be extremely appreciated.
>
>Thanks

Also, if you're a Vet, you get points. I recall applying for a spot at
Grand Canyon and being at the top of the list, but 2 vets were pushed
up and above me because of their prefence points.

As stated, cover letters don't matter. It is always good to send a
letter to the Chief Ranger mentioning your qualifications and that you
applied, and thank you for your time bit (I was told that did help
me).

As stated, be specific, but not too lengthy.


If you haven't, you might want to consider going to a place to get the
training needed to get a seasonal LE commission (I went to Santa Rosa
JC for their 5 week course). Get the most advance medical certifcate
that you can (EMT is better than adavnce first aid). Get involved in
your local SAR (Search and Rescue) group.


Have a great time and enjoy it.


On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 17:22:39 GMT, mking@gj.net (MKing) wrote:

>Cover letters, in my experience, are usually not read or, if they are,
>don't carry much weight. Spend your time on the KSA's. Be specific but
>not too lengthy if you can help  it (it's kind of an acquired art).
>The thing with KSA's--they're ranked. In other words, certain kinds of
>experiences get a higher score. The higher you score, the higher you
>rank out on the list of qualified applicants. Every KSA has a set of
>guidelines that the person ranking your app looks at. Unless you work
>in personnel or have done some hiring for the NPS, you have no idea
>what the guidelines are. It's a wonderful process (some sarcasm here).
>Usually OPM or a personnel specialist ranks the apps, and only then
>does the selecting official get them. They usually have to go with the
>top 3 names on the list first. The reason to spend time on your KSA's
>is that, unfortunately, many parks look ONLY at the KSA's and not at
>the whole application. As one hiring official said to me once, "If
>it's not in the KSA's it's not there."  Good luck!
>
>mking
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On 18 Jan 2002 17:44:41 -0800, kokopeli43227@yahoo.com (Ko Peli)
>wrote:
>
>>First of all, I apologize in advance if this post is off topic for
>>this group.
>>
>>The advice I need concerns temporary positions with the National Park
>>Service at National Parks, Monuments etc.  The application
>>requirements are very specific for these positions.  Take a look at
>>the following links to get an idea of what the job listings and
>>application instructions/process includes:
>>
>>http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/IA0368.HTM
>>http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI25.htm
>>
>>Some of the jobs require a write up called a Knowledge, Skills, and
>>Ability (KSA) statement.  In the KSA the applicant is asked specific
>>questions relating to their skills for the position.  My question is a
>>simple one--the National Park Service seems to know what they want--is
>>it appropriate to submit a cover letter personally addressed to the
>>hiring official further discussing abilities, desire, etc?  Would this
>>lesson hiring chances, increase, or not do anything?  Does anyone have
>>personal experience with the NPS hiring process?  Also, any advice
>>about employment with the NPS would be extremely appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks
>

In my initial post I neglected to ask about the positions that don't
seem to mention KSA's.  Here's a link to an example:

http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/IZ4655.HTM

Other positions mention them in a main heading, but then go on to say
they are not required.  Is it a good idea to submit some
anyway...making up my own questions?  Or should I just try to list
qualifications on other required forms?

Thanks for all the responses to my initial post.  They were just what
I needed.



iwearsize14really@hotmail.com (Roger Covalt) wrote in message news:<3c4a1184.44460013@News.CIS.DFN.DE>...
> Also, if you're a Vet, you get points. I recall applying for a spot at
> Grand Canyon and being at the top of the list, but 2 vets were pushed
> up and above me because of their prefence points.
> 
> As stated, cover letters don't matter. It is always good to send a
> letter to the Chief Ranger mentioning your qualifications and that you
> applied, and thank you for your time bit (I was told that did help
> me).
> 
> As stated, be specific, but not too lengthy.
> 
> 
> If you haven't, you might want to consider going to a place to get the
> training needed to get a seasonal LE commission (I went to Santa Rosa
> JC for their 5 week course). Get the most advance medical certifcate
> that you can (EMT is better than adavnce first aid). Get involved in
> your local SAR (Search and Rescue) group.
> 
> 
> Have a great time and enjoy it.
> 
> 
> On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 17:22:39 GMT, mking@gj.net (MKing) wrote:
> 
> >Cover letters, in my experience, are usually not read or, if they are,
> >don't carry much weight. Spend your time on the KSA's. Be specific but
> >not too lengthy if you can help  it (it's kind of an acquired art).
> >The thing with KSA's--they're ranked. In other words, certain kinds of
> >experiences get a higher score. The higher you score, the higher you
> >rank out on the list of qualified applicants. Every KSA has a set of
> >guidelines that the person ranking your app looks at. Unless you work
> >in personnel or have done some hiring for the NPS, you have no idea
> >what the guidelines are. It's a wonderful process (some sarcasm here).
> >Usually OPM or a personnel specialist ranks the apps, and only then
> >does the selecting official get them. They usually have to go with the
> >top 3 names on the list first. The reason to spend time on your KSA's
> >is that, unfortunately, many parks look ONLY at the KSA's and not at
> >the whole application. As one hiring official said to me once, "If
> >it's not in the KSA's it's not there."  Good luck!
> >
> >mking
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >On 18 Jan 2002 17:44:41 -0800, kokopeli43227@yahoo.com (Ko Peli)
> >wrote:
> >
> >>First of all, I apologize in advance if this post is off topic for
> >>this group.
> >>
> >>The advice I need concerns temporary positions with the National Park
> >>Service at National Parks, Monuments etc.  The application
> >>requirements are very specific for these positions.  Take a look at
> >>the following links to get an idea of what the job listings and
> >>application instructions/process includes:
> >>
> >>http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/IA0368.HTM
> >>http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI25.htm
> >>
> >>Some of the jobs require a write up called a Knowledge, Skills, and
> >>Ability (KSA) statement.  In the KSA the applicant is asked specific
> >>questions relating to their skills for the position.  My question is a
> >>simple one--the National Park Service seems to know what they want--is
> >>it appropriate to submit a cover letter personally addressed to the
> >>hiring official further discussing abilities, desire, etc?  Would this
> >>lesson hiring chances, increase, or not do anything?  Does anyone have
> >>personal experience with the NPS hiring process?  Also, any advice
> >>about employment with the NPS would be extremely appreciated.
> >>
> >>Thanks
> >