Park Ranger (Interpretation)

National Park Service • San Francisco, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Park Ranger (Interpretation) serves in the Interpretation and Education Division at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which also manages Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site. The position plans, develops, coordinates, and executes the park-wide Volunteer Program, Internship Program, and associated learning and development program for the Division. The ranger manages a large volunteer program in collaboration with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the Presidio Trust, supporting long-term and drop-in volunteers and more than 150 professional internships each year.

The position leads the park-wide Volunteers-In-Parks Program, serves as the principal liaison with partner volunteer program managers, provides supervisory guidance and mentorship to program assistants, and contributes to the leadership of the Division of Interpretation and Education. The work also includes developing training opportunities for staff, partners, interns, and volunteers to support effective performance and professional growth.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Must complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• For the GS-11 grade level, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, or qualifying graduate education, or a combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience must include managing volunteers and youth interns in national parks or similar settings, including programs with 100 or more volunteers and 20 or more interns annually; interpretive or educational programming; analyzing information to recommend program and operational improvements; developing or improving interpretive or educational materials; training, mentoring, coaching, or evaluating programs and products; and coordinating special projects or events.
• Applicants qualifying through education must have three full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education, a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a directly related field. Transcripts must be submitted.
• Applicants qualifying through experience must document hours worked per week; current federal employees may need to submit a non-award SF-50 to validate work schedule and qualifying experience.
• Competitive applicants must meet Time-in-Grade requirements.
• All qualifications must be met by the announcement closing date of 11/05/2026.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Volunteers-In-Parks Program for Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate the park-wide volunteer program, including needs assessment, recruitment, training, placement, monitoring, program evaluation, and recognition.
• Provide direction in supervision and motivational techniques and coordinate park-wide recognition events.
• Work with partners, managers, and others to develop strategies and tools to sustain and grow the volunteer and intern programs.
• Serve as the principal liaison with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and Presidio Trust Volunteer Program Managers.
• Work with collaborators to assess the effectiveness and relevance of the tri-agency partnership, make structural and programming improvements, and evaluate opportunities for new program development.
• Provide supervisory guidance and mentorship to one full-time, permanent GS-09 and one full-time GS-07 program assistant.
• Work with managers and specialists to identify, develop, and implement training opportunities for interpretation staff, volunteer managers, park partners, interns, and volunteers.
• Serve as a member of the leadership of the Division of Interpretation and Education.
• Research, design, and conduct interpretive or educational programs; review trends and data; develop or improve interpretive and educational materials; and coordinate special projects or events as described in the qualification criteria.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level