FUL-Park Ranger (Interpretation)

The major duties of the Park Ranger (Interpretation) position include but are not limited to the following:

• Plans designs develops and improves interpretive materials such as webpages app content audio video other digital content signs publications and waysides and presents a variety of formal and informal interpretive and educational programs to a wide variety of audiences.
• Serves as a front-line representative of the National Park Service to meet and greet visitors in visitor centers in a park or at outreach events providing orientation information and informal interpretation.
• Works effectively cooperatively and builds relationships/partnerships with coworkers park partners (educators cooperating associations Tribes community groups other agencies) and the general public in an effort to provide quality park interpretation and effective outreach to park communities.
• Coordinate the operation of a visitor facility and/or information desk.
• Actively engage and interact with local communities through on and off-site representation and interpretive programming. Identify and engage with new audiences and communities.
• Coordinate and maintain effective working relationships with organizations (e.g. academic and cultural institutions state and local government agencies special interest/user groups).
• May assist partners and communities in developing their own interpretive and management plans ensuring they are complementary to park goals and objectives while meeting partner and community needs.
• Supervise train coach and mentor interpretive staff and volunteers.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

The employees of the National Park Service care for places that belong to all Americans. Since 1916 the agency has been dedicated to preserving and managing the nations natural historical and recreational resources. Park ranger-interpreters connect people to parks by helping visitors have meaningful satisfying and safe experiences. They guide visitors in planning their time introduce the wonders of each park and help them form personal connections to the places and stories found there. Through specialized training interpreters present multiple perspectives inspire curiosity and encourage visitors to care about and protect park resources. Their interpretive and educational programs foster stewardship and strengthen public support so that national parks can be enjoyed by current and future generations.

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid drivers license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operators License and Driving Record.
• You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call evenings weekends holidays overtime and shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 1 night per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest meet the organization goals and mission of the agency and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the determining if your employment advances the public interest the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies in writing that the individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period such appointments are terminated.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/20/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.

To receive credit for experience your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position starting and ending dates of employment (month/year) and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e. work 40 hours a week rather than indicating full-time). If part-time the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience must include: 1) park guide or tour leader 2) law enforcement or investigative work 3) archaeological or historical preservation research work 4) forestry and/or fire management work in a park recreation or conservation area 5) management assistant or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection conservation or management of park areas or similar operations or 6) other similar work. -OR-

EDUCATION: A 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelors degree with a major that includes 24 semester hours of related coursework which may include natural resource management natural sciences earth sciences history archeology anthropology park and recreation management law enforcement/police science social sciences museum sciences business administration public administration behavioral sciences sociology or other subjects related to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. -OR-

COMBINATION: A combination of specialized experience and education as described above that together equal at least 100% of the qualification requirements for the GS-05 level. Only progressive education beyond the first two years (more than 60 semester hours or equivalent) is creditable when combining and transcripts must be submitted as proof of any claimed education.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience must include: (1) developing and presenting independently researched programs (2) developing material for nonpersonal services and interpretive media (3) coordinating the operation of a visitor facility and/or information desk and (4) assisting in coordinating special projects. -OR-

EDUCATION: One full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation in natural resource management natural sciences earth sciences history archeology anthropology park and recreation management law enforcement/police science social sciences museum sciences business administration public administration behavioral sciences or sociology. -OR-

Superior Academic Achievement: (See OPMs General Policies Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.f.) S.A.A. must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. -OR-

COMBINATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience must include (1) coordinating evaluating or directing interpretive programs (2) assisting with developing long-range program plans (3) developing interpretative and educational programs and (4) coaching or mentoring interpretive or similar staff. -OR-

EDUCATION: two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education a masters degree or an equivalent graduate degree in natural resource management natural sciences earth sciences history archeology anthropology park and recreation management law enforcement/police science social sciences museum sciences business administration public administration behavioral sciences or sociology. -OR-

COMBINATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. Calculate your education and experience percentages by determining what percentage of the required amounts you possess. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify.

You must include months years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as varies. Experience listed as full-time will be credited at 40 hours per week.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.