Park Ranger (Interpretation)
Job Location:
Santa Fe, NM - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
You will serve as a Park Ranger (Interpretation) with National Park Service.
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 occasionally. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:
- Coordinates and delivers technical support training and guidance to agencies partners and landowners nationwide in the development of interpretive media planning documents and site or program evaluations.
- Researches writes and designs interpretive content using graphic design and media production software; produces wayside exhibits publications web content audiovisual scripts digital media and trail-wide interpretive products ensuring products meet accessibility requirements.
- Facilitates planning meetings and small-group sessions with cooperating partners; provides leadership orientation and procedural guidance for interpretive media planning site development and project execution.
- Coordinates all phases of partner media projects including reviewing funding proposals drafting scopes of work soliciting vendor quotes and performing COR/ATR duties to monitor contractor and partner performance and ensure deliverables meet specifications.
- Implements and oversees internal control procedures to safeguard government property funds equipment and records ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and proper documentation of expenditures.
- Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
- Direct Deposit participation required.
- Any individual who is currently holding or has held within the previous 52 weeks a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement who have had a break in service of less than one year as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments. Time-in-grade does not apply to new excepted service appointments. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit have a current or obtain within 30 days a valid drivers license and maintain throughout employment.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You are required to complete training obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
- You will be required to complete training obtain and maintain a Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) Certification within 1 year of entry on duty.
- Must have ability to carry 50 lbs.
*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*
Requirements Continued...
As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period - OR - 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
This probationary or trial 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/24/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.
For current Federal employees if hours worked per week are not included on your resume you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees your resume must state either full-time (or 40 hours a week) or part-time with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT:
To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level you must possess 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-09 grade level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience MUST include the following: 1) coordinating managing or directing interpretive programs; 2) developing long range program plans and educational programs; 3) developing and training others on educational programs and; 4) managing interpretive staff or other similar work. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
Education: Successful completion of 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education OR a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree related to the occupation. You must include transcripts. -OR-
Combination of education and experience as listed above. You must include hours per week and transcripts.
For more information qualifying education or on combining education and experience see OPM Qualification Standards linked below:
Individual Occupational Requirements for Park Ranger Series 0025
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name school name grades credit hours earned major(s) grade point average or class ranking and date the degree was conferred if applicable. A typed list of courses grades semester/quarter hours GPA etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated visit: information
Related Non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual at managerial discretion providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations 630).
All DOI employees their spouses and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim permit lease small tract entry or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here DOI Ethics Prohibitions U.S. Department of the Interior.
Physical Demands/Work Environment: There is occasional to moderate travel frequency for conducting planning meetings gathering project resource data and providing technical guidance and direction for partner organizations across twenty-four states from Georgia to California Missouri to Oregon. These field trips may require the capacity to walk moderate distances carry loads up to 50 pounds and travel in or on a variety of conveyances including horses aircraft boats and ground vehicles. Occasional trips require the capacity to function effectively for periods well beyond the eight-hour day. The ability to drive cars is required and the ability to drive light trucks may be required. Most work assignments are performed indoors in an office setting. Frequent travel using all types of public transportation is often necessary for successful performance. Fieldwork may be conducted in various types of terrain including desert mountains and wetlands as well as historic structures that may or may not be accessible. Some activities may require exposure to uncomfortable and unpleasant weather and seasonal conditions.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
