Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation)

This position serves as the Interpretation Education and Volunteer Program Manager (Chief of Interpretation) for Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in Affton Missouri. Oversees division activities by guiding and directing the interpretation division and assisting with the coordination execution management and planning of the parks visitor services and interpretive programming.

Major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
1. Manages a complex interpretive program including a visitor center museum historic home and buildings field programs and special events.
2. Plans and conducts a wide range of public interpretive programs throughout the year. Programs consist of walks talks tours field trips performances and special events related to Ulysses S. Grant NHS its resources and issues.
3. Provides leadership supervision management and training for intern volunteer seasonal and permanent interpretive staff who present a variety of interpretive programs and front-line visitor services.
4. Creates manages and executes a budget for the Interpretation Program.
5. Builds and maintains relationships with various stakeholders partner groups and other agencies to advance program goals and objectives.
6. Serves on the parks leadership team and works closely with team members to plan address and manage issues and provides key input from an interpretation education volunteer and visitor service perspective.

The employees of the National Park Service care for special places that are the heritage of all Americans. Since its inception in 1916 the National Park Service has been dedicated to the preservation and management of this countrys outstanding natural historical and recreational resources. Park ranger - interpreters connect people to parks. They play a key role in ensuring that visitors have a meaningful satisfying and safe park experience help visitors decide how to spend their time in the park and inform them about the wonders that await their discovery. Park ranger - interpreters are specially trained to engage the public so that each park visitor can find a personal connection with the meanings and values found in the places and stories of that park. They help visitors explore the many dimensions of parks by introducing them to a variety of perspectives. By providing the opportunity for visitors to care about the places they visit they promote stewardship and the opportunity for those visitors to care for park resources. National parks are among the most remarkable places in America for recreation learning and inspiration. The work done by park ranger-interpreters through effective interpretive and educational programs encourages the development of a personal stewardship ethic and broadens public support for preserving and protecting park resources so that they may be enjoyed by present and future generations.

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
5. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See 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 and must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
6. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid drivers license is required.
7. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
8. You may be required to work on-call evenings weekends holidays overtime and shift work.
9. You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

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 (as applicable) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may 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.

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 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 probation your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

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

EXPERIENCE: Specialized 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). Specialized experience is managing interpretive and/or education programs to support mission goals and includes: 1) advisor on interpretive and education matters; 2) develops and implements program long and short-range plans; 3) plan and coordinate year-round interpretive educational information and volunteer programs; 4) propose program goals and objectives that reflect a balance of themes subjects current issues and initiatives; 5) serve as subject matter expert on interpretive themes such as resource cultural or natural features unique to a park; 6) manage visitor center operations; 7) develop interpretive and media plans and projects; and 8) managing administrative or logistical program.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. (Related fields of study include natural resource management natural sciences earth sciences history archaeology 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.) You must include transcripts.

-OR-

COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of graduate level education beyond the first two years of progressive graduate study and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position. You must submit transcripts.

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.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.

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPMs website: qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/05/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.