Park Ranger (Interpretation) - FUL

National Park Service•Jacksonville, FL

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Park Ranger (Interpretation) serves at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in the Division of Interpretation and Education. The position develops and presents audience- and learner-centered interpretive experiences in person and through interpretive media and technology. Rangers research and present programs on a variety of interpretive and educational themes and plan and conduct education programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, and distance learning activities. Duties may also include education program coordination; historic weapons safety and demonstrations; interpretive media and visual information production; special park uses; technology, web, and social media coordination; and youth program coordination. Duties are developmental when the position is filled below the full-performance level. At GS-09, the position is a Code 4 supervisor, with supervisory duties 15 percent of the time. The work supports the National Park Service mission by helping visitors have meaningful, satisfying, and safe experiences, connecting them with park stories and values, and encouraging stewardship and support for protecting park resources. Promotion to the full-performance level is not guaranteed. The position requires a valid driver’s license, wearing a uniform, and work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work. Occasional overnight travel may be required. The work may involve extensive standing and walking outdoors or in caves, rough terrain and inclines, and carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, or other loads. Some employees may participate in strenuous all-risk activities. Working conditions may include extreme temperatures, rough terrain, wild animals, pests, insects, and other risks requiring safety precautions and protective gear. Telework is suitable only during an emergency or natural disaster. Annual salary ranges are GS-05: $40,736–$52,957; GS-07: $50,460–$65,599; and GS-09: $61,722–$80,243. First-time federal hires typically start at the beginning salary for their grade. This position is filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority; applicants must reside within 50 miles of Jacksonville, Florida, and provide proof of residency. A one-year probationary period applies. At GS-09, a supervisory probationary period may also be required.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or national.
Must pass a background investigation and favorable adjudication, and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
Must participate in Direct Deposit.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment; must be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles.
Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
May be required to complete training and obtain and maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority; a government charge card is required for travel purposes.
Must be at least 18 years old, or meet the stated qualifying conditions for applicants aged 16 or 17.
Must serve a one-year probationary period; a supervisory probationary period may apply at GS-09.
Must meet all qualifications by the announcement closing date of November 10, 2026, and meet applicable time-in-grade requirements.
GS-05 qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04, qualifying related education, or a qualifying combination of experience and education. Related education requires a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related coursework.
GS-07 qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 that includes independently developing and presenting researched programs, developing material for nonpersonal services and interpretive media, coordinating a visitor facility or information desk, and assisting with special projects; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a combination may be used. Superior Academic Achievement in a directly related bachelor's degree field may also qualify under the stated criteria.
GS-09 qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 demonstrating interpretive principles, developing interpretive curricula and programs, conducting research, designing interpretive materials and media, engaging the public through structured programs, and leading, mentoring, training, or coaching others; alternatively, two academic years of graduate education, a related master's or equivalent graduate degree, or a qualifying combination may be used.
Experience claimed for qualification must include hours worked per week. Education used to qualify must be supported by transcripts; foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. education.
Must reside within the defined local commuting area, within 50 miles of Jacksonville, Florida, and provide proof of residency.
Work may require on-call availability, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, shift work, and occasional overnight travel.
Physical demands may include extensive standing and walking, including over rough surfaces or inclines outdoors or in caves, and carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, or other loads. Some all-risk duties may require carrying equipment over 50 pounds over long distances and maintaining fitness requirements.
Working conditions may involve extreme temperatures, climates, rough terrain, wild animals, pests, insects, and other risks; protective clothing or gear may be required.

Responsibilities

Develop and present formal and informal audience- and learner-centered interpretive experiences in person and through interpretive media and technology.
Research, develop, and present interpretive programs on a variety of interpretive and educational themes.
Plan, schedule, prepare, and conduct education programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, and distance learning activities.
Plan, distribute, and monitor work assignments; evaluate work performance and provide feedback to others.
Communicate effectively and apply interpersonal skills; develop and maintain effective relationships with people from varied backgrounds and situations.
Use a personal computer, software applications, and peripherals for tasks such as word processing, reports, spreadsheets, databases, graphs, desktop publishing, and email.
Perform additional duties that may include education program coordination; historic weapons safety and demonstrations; interpretive media and visual information production; special park uses; technology, web, and social media coordination; and youth program coordination.
At GS-09, perform supervisory duties 15 percent of the time.
Help visitors connect with park meanings and values, have meaningful and safe experiences, and develop stewardship of park resources.