Park Ranger (Interpretation)

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

To qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level, you must possess at least one of 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).

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes but is not limited to volunteer program management; park guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archaeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and/or implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations; or other similar work. -OR- Successful completion of at least two (2) full academic years of graduate education related to the occupation, or a master's or equivalent graduate degree, such as natural resource management, natural sciences, ecology, biology, geology, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, social sciences, museum sciences, geography, English or other languages, behavioral sciences, sociology, education, or communication (two years of graduate education is defined as 36 semester hours).

You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. You must include 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.

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Prepare and present a variety of formal and informal interpretive programs. Coordinate special events and interpretive operations. Assist with curatorial related functions for collections or archives. Coordinate the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of black powder storage, demonstrations, and weapons-firing.

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as permanent appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately 11 months in pay status, and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year (months ranging from late-November to late-December).

As a Park Ranger (Interpretation), the responsibilities of this position include researching, planning, and presenting a variety of interpretive programs related to Lakeshore history, environmental education, and natural and cultural resources; coordinating special events; and assisting with the training of seasonal interpretive staff.

This position serves as the Division of Interpretation & Visitor Services' Cultural Resources Lead, by: 1) serving as the park's Historic Weapons Supervisor - ensuring the park adheres to NPS.

DO #6: Interpretation and Education, and DO #50-C: Public Risk Management, and leading weapons-firings; 2) coordinating interpretive operations and special projects in two park historic districts - recruiting, training, and supervising 25-35 volunteers, procuring supplies and materials, and creating work plans; 3) monitoring objects in 12 park museum spaces - opening and closing museums on the mainland and islands, maintaining housekeeping standards, and conducting monthly climate data collection; 4) monitoring two artifact storage buildings - conducting weekly building checks, and maintaining housekeeping standards; and 5) assisting the park's Chief of Interpretation & Visitor Services with annual collection inventories, DOI Checklist assessments, accessing and maintain park data in the DOI Museum Collection Management System (MCMS), and maintaining collection loans.

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. Work Environment: 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. Area Information: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore include the scenic and recreational assets of over 64 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and the nearby North and South Manitou Islands.

Park features include massive sand dunes; pristine, undeveloped beaches; forested hills; quiet rivers, and secluded inland lakes; the geological history of continental glaciation; and the stories of American Indian, maritime, agriculture, and recreation history. Cultural resources include nationally recognized maritime structures and artifacts from the U.S. Lighthouse and Life-Saving Services era and a variety of cultural landscapes.

The Lakeshore contains outstanding examples of ancient glacial landforms, along with diverse natural resources in various ecosystems. High dunes form the background for some of the best examples of mature beech/maple hardwood forests in the National Park Service. Government housing is NOT available. For more information, see the parks website: www.nps.gov/SLBE