Park Ranger (Interpretation)

Summary

You will serve as a Park Ranger (Interpretation) for Niobrara National Scenic River.This position interprets resources, connect visitors, support learning, and manage heritage resources. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement CAHO-26-13053705-IMP-KG. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

• Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: GS-05 Engages the public through presenting a series of formal structured programs (e.g., walks, talks, tours, presentations, demonstrations, events, and virtual interactions) and informal contacts/conversations. Provides effective interpretive and educational programs that encourage the development of a riverine stewardship ethic and broadens public support for preserving and protecting park resources, so that they may be enjoyed by present and future generations. Lead ranger for the Junior Ranger Program. Plans and arranges for visitor service functions and assists with planning and logistics for special events. Applies skill in communications, as well as exercises diplomacy in external and internal relations. Develops interpretive content for posting on social media sites. GS-07 Develops and presents formal educational programming for a variety of age groups. Coordinates development and implementation of a variety of cultural history projects that include subject areas such as ethnic history, local folklore, historical sites and buildings, possible demonstration projects, and interpretive efforts regarding park history. Develops training materials and programs and provides direction and training to lower graded rangers in the implementation and utilization of interpretive materials. Plans, designs, develops, and improves interpretive materials, specifically 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. GS-09 (Full Performance to also include all duties listed at GS-05/07 levels) Prepares portions of the interpretive planning and budgeting program documents. Develops portions of a cultural history resource management plan. Identifies local cultural or historical sites and structures; recommends preservation, restoration, and/or maintenance needs. Monitors walks, talks, and cultural history demonstrations conducted by lower graded rangers, critiques these activities, and recommends individual or program improvements. Coordinates the operation of a mobile visitor center and an interpretive contact station. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. 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.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/17/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. 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. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) that demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. The 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: Assisting with presenting interpretive talks, educational programs, guided tours; or assisting visitors in a park, museum, historic site, nature center, environmental education program, or similar setting. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least four years of education above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours related to course work. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, first divide the number of semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. 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-07 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) that demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. The 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) Planning and presenting interpretive talks, guided walks, educational programs or demonstrations; or 2) Researching and developing interpretive or educational program content, presentations, exhibits or information materials. You must include hours per week on resume. -OR- Education: Successful completion of one-full academic year of graduate education (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) related to the occupation in directly related fields such as 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. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in th…

Education

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