Park Ranger Interpretation (Seasonal)-FUL

Your tasks

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. 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.

Requirements

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 master's 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.

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.

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. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

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 www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's 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.

Other

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: