Park Ranger Interpretation (Seasonal) FUL
Job Location:
Annapolis, MD - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The Park Ranger (Interpretation) provide a variety of park ranger duties across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Anticipated Season Entry on Duty: March - September 2027.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 10/23/2026 to be considered.
For more park(s) information select Learn more about this agency below:
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:
- Interpretation & Communication: Research design and deliver engaging programs (talks tours demonstrations digital media) that connect visitors to the natural cultural and historical significance of park resources.
- Visitor Services & Facility Operations: Coordinate visitor centers or information desks manage schedules monitor services and ensure facilities and materials are maintained.
- Training & Education: Mentor coach and train staff volunteers and interns; develop lesson plans and educational programs aligned with standards and diverse learning needs.
- Resource Monitoring & Compliance: Observe and report on park resource conditions promote visitor safety and ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
- Community & Partner Engagement: Build relationships with local communities partners and organizations; represent the park at events and collaborate on shared initiatives.
- Planning & Project Coordination: Contribute to interpretive and resource planning manage special projects/events analyze visitor data and recommend improvements for programs and operations.
- 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 possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/23/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.
To receive credit for experience 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level you must possess 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). Examples of specialized experience for this position includes but is not limited to: experience that involved developing and presenting a wide variety of audience and learner centered interpretive experiences using a variety of interpretive skills techniques and tools delivered in person and through interpretive media and technology; conduct site or topic based research on different scientific and/or historical subjects and evaluate many different sources for their relevance validity and bias; engage the public through formal structured programs (e.g. walks talks tours presentations demonstrations etc.) and informal presentations. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-EDUCATION:Successful completion of at least a masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree majoring 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 sociology or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. One year of full-time graduate study is defined as 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours in a college or university. You must include transcripts.
-OR-Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example: 6 months of specialized experience as described above (50% of experience requirement) and 1.5 years (27 semester hours) of graduate level college study in a directly related field of study as described above (50% of the education requirement). The percentages must total at least 100. You must include transcripts.
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.
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. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications U.S. Department of Education. information This position will be filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the defined local commuting area at the time of application. For this announcement the local commuting area is the area from which individuals can reasonably commute to the duty station under normal conditions. The defined vicinity for this position is: 50 miles for Annapolis MD or Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area. You must provide proof of residency within the defined vicinity (e.g. mortgage or property deed lease/rental agreement utility bill insurance policy etc.). See the Required Documents section for information on how to verify current residence. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period you are still welcome to apply. However please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels project needs employee performance or other considerations. All Department of Interior (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 Demands: The work requires some physical exertion and can involve extensive periods of standing and walking in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines outdoors or in caves and carrying backpacks tools rescue equipment or other loads. Some employees may engage in firefighting search and rescue and other strenuous activities; these employees may be required to lift or carry equipment weighing more than 50 pounds over long distances. Employees who participate in all-risk operations will be required to meet fitness requirements on a continuing basis. 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.
Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours within their established service year. Accordingly non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402b7) based on series and grade anywhere in the major subdivision.
Working Conditions: The work can include moderate risks or discomforts that require safety precautions (e.g. exposure to extreme temperatures climates rough terrain wild animals pests and/or insects). The incumbent may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks boots gloves etc. Some employees may be engaged in all-risk operations and be exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations which require a range of safety and other precautions.
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.
