I had submitted a packet on USAJobs, the Federal hiring web site for the vacancy some three months earlier, and received a phone call from the Chief Ranger at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, where the vacancy was located. He had first called to affirm my interest in the position, and then to ask some preliminary questions. I was able to discern from this call that one issue the Monument had had over the years was finding reliable people for the position, who would keep their word to take the position after initial hire. Many educators in the local area would find similar or better paying summer positions, and then accept those instead, leaving the monument in the lurch.

Jobs are posted on USAJobs, the Government's website. When a vacancy you see you're interested in, you need to tailor your resume (created with the USAJobs resume builder) for that specific opening if you hope to get noticed. Make sure also to be able to meet all of the must have criteria (the required) or you will not even be considered. Don't waste your time on jobs you can't qualify for! Some of the folks we have hired have been our volunteers (i.e. they got known first!!).