Park Manager (Superintendent)

We seek leaders who excel not only at managing parks and public lands but at leading other leaders. Todays superintendents are expected to lead beyond the boundaries of a single park by investing in coaching and empowering senior managers and fellow superintendents creating the conditions in which accomplished leaders can thrive exercise sound judgment and deliver exceptional stewardship and public service. Successful candidates serve as multipliers of leadership capacity-fostering collaboration across organizational boundaries navigating the complexities of leading experienced executives with diverse perspectives and authorities and building high-performing organizations grounded in accountability integrity and trust. They cultivate enduring partnerships ensure decisions are lawful and mission-focused and inspire confidence among employees partners gateway communities Tribal Nations and the American people.

The Superintendent serves as the senior line officer for Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve providing leadership direction and oversight for all park operations. Under the general guidance of the Regional Director and direct supervision by the Deputy Regional Director the incumbent manages planning and development; land acquisition and protection; public relations; and the preservation interpretation maintenance and administration of one of the most complex and expansive parks in the National Park Service. This position requires broad leadership strategic decision making and operational expertise to ensure the continued protection integrity and accessibility of Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve-one of the largest and most complex parks in the nation.

Daily Duties:

• Lead a multidisciplinary workforce responsible for public use management resource stewardship education and interpretation fiscal and human resources management visitor services safety partnerships public affairs and park development.
• Oversee the protection of nearly 10 million acres of designated wilderness and the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark.
• Represent parks interests across a wide range of governmental Native Alaskan community and land management forums.
• Direct a major park program that includes administration of roughly $10 million annually and management of permanent seasonal and volunteer personnel.
• Represent the National Park Service on subsistence and ANILCA (Alaska National Lands Interest Conservation Act) related matters.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit LICENSE: Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
• DRUG TESTING: Pre-employment and random drug testing is required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• UNIFORM: You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to complete training obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.
• WORK SCHEDULE: You may be required to work on-call evenings weekends holidays and overtime.
• TRAVEL: You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period. For more information regarding Probationary Periods please see Qualifications section below.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/24/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.

To qualify for this position at the GS-15 grade level you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that demonstrated the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.

Park-related or other similar land management experience may have been in technical administrative resource management or scientific work fish and wildlife management recreation management law enforcement or other park-related work.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following:

• 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;
• Management work in a park recreation or conservation area;
• Tribal land management to include Alaska Native corporations experience;
• Directs programs and work through direct and indirect supervision.

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.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 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. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.