• Bask in the beauty of our national parks.rocky mountain national park image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com
  
  Seniors are returning to the workforce in droves. For some, it is the result of dwindling nest eggs. Others simply choose to stay active after retirement and seek jobs that are stress-free, uncomplicated and enjoyable. The bulk of national parks jobs are part-time and seasonal. This presents a perfect work opportunity for seniors who can offer flexibility with their schedules and, sometimes, their locations. Most openings will occur during typical tourist seasons, but applications for these positions should be completed months in advance.
  
  

Park Positions

• The National Park Service employs 16,000 permanent employees and hires up to 10,000 part-time, seasonal employees each year. Seniors who are still looking to work full time can parlay their prior experience in fields such as administration, engineering, financial management or natural resources into a permanent position. For seniors who simply desire part-time work to supplement retirement, the seasonal opportunities are more appealing. Visitor use assistants greet park guests, collect fees and answer questions. Park guides present orientations and informational briefs. For seniors with more hands-on experience in skilled trades, the National Park Service offers seasonal maintenance positions. All National Park Service open positions can be found on the official employment website for the United States Federal Government.
  
  

Outsourced Positions

• Immerse yourself in the rich history of our country.mount rushmore image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  Many positions at national parks and monuments are actually outsourced to private companies and are typically in the hospitality areas such as lodging, restaurants and gift shops. Students, teachers and retired persons fill the bulk of these jobs. Openings for front desk clerks, gift shop sales associates and tour guides are well suited for seniors seeking employment. These part-time positions leave plenty of free time to explore the scenic wonderland in which you work. You can contact the park's concession specialist for information on private vendors at their location.
  
  

Volunteer Positions

• Be a part of the legacy.arches national park image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com
  
  If your motivation to work in a national park is not financially driven, volunteer opportunities are plentiful. The National Park Service estimates that 125,000 volunteers work each year at almost 400 parks across all 50 states. Seniors that volunteer work alongside park personnel at a variety of jobs including manning information desks, leading guided nature walks and assisting with the preservation of museum artifacts. You can even find jobs dressing up in period costumes for historical re-enactments. Information regarding volunteer opportunities, including applications, with the National Park Service can be found on their website. As a volunteer, you will play a role in preserving our country's natural resources and cultural heritage.