Park Ranger @ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Job Summary

You will serve as a Park Ranger with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, within the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, MA. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Qualifications

• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 10/30/2026-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.
• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade-level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).
• Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience which may include: Experience handling of cash, checks, and credit cards; ability to accurately complete standard mathematical calculations, provide accurate monetary exchanges, and maintain accurate inventory; training and supporting daily duties of less experienced interns and/or volunteers; dealing with a high volume of personal contacts; work under stressful conditions; maintain accurate delivery of information to the public to ensure compliance with rules and regulations; maintenance of public use resources to ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment; and supporting the planning and delivery of educational programming to the public.
• This experience is described in my resume.
• You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education related to the duties of this position.
• Examples of this type of study include 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.
• I will submit copies of my college transcripts. -OR- A combination of specialized experience as described above and education as described above.
• (Determine the percentage of qualifying specialized experience you possess and determine the percentage of qualifying education you possess. Add the two percentages together. The total percentage must equal at least 100% in order to qualify based on a combination of experience and education).

This experience is described in my resume/ application and I will submit copies of my college transcripts. -OR- Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a directly related field AND meet one of the following:

• (1) Class Standing: rank in the upper 3rd of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on the completed courses; OR
• (2) Grade-Point Average (GPA): earn a GPA of
• (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum -or-
• (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field, or the required courses completed during the final two years. Note: GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9; OR
• (3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society.

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.

Major Duties

• Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Leads the fee collection program in the gatehouse, including recruiting, hiring, training, and overseeing up to three temporary fee collectors annually and numerous volunteers year-round related to all aspects of scheduling, task prioritization, evaluation, and feedback.
• Collects appropriate fees at a refuge entrance station following established accountability guidelines for handling government funds, including cash register and credit card reader operation, performing opening and closing shift functions, issuing entrance receipts, passes, and permits in accordance with established guidelines and verifying validity of passes and permits.
• Manages data reporting for key functions including preparing monthly fee reports and transmittals, maintaining computer-based spreadsheets for fee and pass tracking, troubleshooting accounting and reporting errors, and maintaining database for accountable stock for all fee collectors.
• Manages crowd and traffic control directing seasonal park rangers and volunteers, updated public notification systems regarding refuge access, and coordinating with Refuge Law Enforcement to enhance public safety and resource protection.
• Serves as a frontline representative providing high-quality customer service, including providing current, accurate information to visitors concerning the refuge and surrounding areas of interest, explaining the recreational opportunities, and distributing maps, brochures, and other printed materials as well as informing visitors of any potential safety hazards, temporary operational changes, or seasonal opportunities.
• Plans, develops, and delivers original educational programming to the general public, including providing orientation and explanation of current events, and resource management projects affecting the natural, historical, and/or cultural resources of the area.
• Monitors public use facilities for health and safety issues and implements actions for resolution, including supporting trail maintenance, beach and roadside cleanups, minor maintenance, and Friends and volunteer-led projects, as well as notifying maintenance personnel as warranted.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Duty schedule may include weekend, holiday, and evening work.
• 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 service.
• In 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 individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized.
• In 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 OR trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.