Park Ranger (Interpretation)

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/03/2026-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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: Specialized Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level (Note: Clerk, Assistant or Technician work in a single grade occupational series at the GS-05 level does NOT generally qualify for this position, however GS-06 level may) in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work.

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) presenting independently researched programs; 2) developing material for non-personal services and/or interpretive media; 3) operating a visitor facility and/or information desk/kiosk; and 4) assisting in coordinating special events and/or projects. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least one year of graduate-level education in a related field appropriate to the position.

Examples of major study areas 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.

You must include 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 the one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9; OR (3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society. -OR- Combination of education and experience as listed above. For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience described above (50% of the experience requirement) and one-half year (9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours) described above that is directly related graduate level college study at an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education).

Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: Specialized Experience: To qualify, you must possess 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).

Experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work.

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) developing and/or presenting interpretive programs, curriculum-based education programs, media and/or publications; 2) managing volunteers or other similar work; 3) planning special events and/or projects; and 4) training staff on interpretive and education programs.

You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education OR a master's/equivalent graduate degree related to the occupation.

Examples of major study areas 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. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience as listed above.

For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience described above (50% of the experience requirement) and one year (18 semester hours or 28 quarter hours) described above that is directly related graduate level college study at an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education). Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and 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.

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Develop and present formal and informal audience and learner-centered interpretive experiences using interpretive skills, techniques, and tools delivered in-person and through interpretive media and technology. Conduct straightforward research on a variety of topics and synthesize the information.

Enhance in-park experiences by developing and offering a wide variety of fully accessible nonpersonal services and interpretive media. Plan, design, develop, and improve interpretive materials such as signs, waysides, publications, exhibits, and audio, video, and other digital content.

Connect with all types of audiences through digital content (e.g., the web, social media, mobile technology, live broadcast or distance programming, podcasts, virtual tours) to introduce, inform, engage, and strengthen relationships between the public and their national parks. Review existing park policies, standards, methods, controls, and procedures. Rove park areas and explain regulations to park visitors and provide information and advice on park activities and cultural, historical, and/or natural resources.

GS-09 ONLY: Train, mentor, coach, and evaluate a broad range of interpretive programs and products conducted by fellow interpreters, critique these activities, and recommend individual or program improvements. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.