Park Ranger (Interpretation) (Seasonal) @ National Park Service

Job Summary

Interpretive Rangers develop and present educational programs including guided walks and presentations, and working with audiences in a variety of park settings. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Alaska Regional Office is April 2027, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2 page 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 of qualified specialized experience.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector) that is directly related to the position to be filled.

Examples of specialized experience include developing and leading interpretive or interpretive education programs and assisting with the coordination and planning efforts for interpretive or interpretive education programs. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR- EDUCATION

Two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a master's or equivalent graduate degree in one of the following: 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.

Note: One year of graduate education is 18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or the number your school uses to represent one year. You must include hours worked per week in your resume and a copy of your transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: To calculate your percentage of qualifying graduate education, divide your number of semester hours in excess of 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) by 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours), or the number your school uses to represent one year of full time graduate academic study.

To calculate your percentage of experience, divide your months of qualifying specialized experience by 12. Add the two percentages. They must equal at least 100% to qualify using this option. You must include hours worked per week in your resume and a copy of your transcripts.

Note: This position includes money handling preference for optional consideration. Money handling requires a higher background check. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards. 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. Continuation of "Requirements:" You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 20 nights per month. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

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 country's 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.

Major Duties

• Some of the Park Ranger (Interpretation) Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Develop and present a variety of programs including guided walks, illustrated talks (PowerPoint amphitheater and campfire programs) and demonstrations.
• Develop programs using principles of the NPS thematic interpretation model through topic research, familiarity with and creative use of delivery techniques.
• Provide informal interpretation and orientation for park guests in visitor centers, ranger stations and while roving in the field.
• Perform cashier duties and assist with a variety of special projects to support park goals.
• Actively promote the safety of park visitors and stewardship of park resources in all interactions, and potentially serve as the initial contact for accident reporting and emergency assistance.
• Duties include but are not limited to the following: Training: Assists in planning, implementing, and delivering interpretive skills and educational theory and methodology training to seasonal staff.
• Works with training planning team to evaluate effectiveness of training program and to develop innovations to substantially improve its effectiveness.
• Coaching: Observes interpretive programs and shares oral and written feedback in a supportive, professional manner.
• Mentors and leads seasonal staff in day-to-day program development.
• Uses effective leadership and communication skills to work with interpreters in such a way as to promote respect, confidence, teamwork, and professionalism.
• Works with coaching team to evaluate effectiveness of coach training program, coaching protocols, and coach effectiveness, and to develop innovations for substantial improvement.
• Interpretation: Researches, develops, and presents a variety of formal and informal interpretive programs which may include conducted walks, campground programs, off trail wilderness hikes and illustrative programs.
• Prepares written interpretive program outlines.
• Operations: Develops work schedules.
• Updates or write manuals, SOPs, and handouts.
• Identifies and reports on facility conditions, exhibit conditions, supply inventories, and purchasing needs.
• Physical 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.
• 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.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Occupancy of government quarters may be required. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing. You may 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/or shift work.

You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license will be required in such cases. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. 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.