Park Ranger (Interpretation)

National Park Service • Los Alamos, NM

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The National Park Service is hiring two Park Rangers (Interpretation) for Manhattan Project National Historical Park: one in Richland, Washington, and one in Los Alamos, New Mexico. These are permanent career-seasonal positions with benefits comparable to career appointments, but they do not provide year-round work. The Richland position works approximately January through mid-December; the Los Alamos position works approximately mid-January through December. Employees are in non-pay status for the remainder of the year. The stated salary ranges are $50,460–$80,243 per year in Richland and $51,007–$81,114 per year in Los Alamos. Pay varies by grade and duty location, and first-time federal hires normally start at step 1.

The position researches, develops, and presents interpretive programs and services that connect the park’s natural, cultural, and historical resources to visitor interests. Rangers staff visitor centers, contact stations, and roving locations; provide visitor orientation and accurate information about resources, safety, and facilities; develop educational programs and interpretive media; and promote resource stewardship and Leave No Trace principles. At the full performance level, the ranger may lead interpretive themes and provide work direction to seasonal staff and volunteers.

Applicants must meet the applicable GS-07 or GS-09 qualification requirements through specialized experience, education, or a permitted combination. The role requires U.S. citizenship or nationality, a valid driver’s license, wearing a uniform, and the ability to lift 50 pounds. Work may include on-call duty, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, shift work, and occasional overnight travel. The work can involve extended standing and walking outdoors over rough terrain or inclines, carrying equipment, and exposure to extreme temperatures, wildlife, pests, and other hazards. Telework is suitable only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must pass a background investigation and receive 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.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards; a uniform allowance is provided.
• Must complete required training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority; a government charge card is required for travel.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work, and to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period, with continued employment subject to written agency certification.
• For GS-07, qualify through at least one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05, qualifying graduate education, superior academic achievement with a directly related bachelor's degree, or an allowed combination of education and experience.
• For GS-09, qualify through at least one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07, two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education, a related master's or equivalent graduate degree, or an allowed combination of education and experience.
• Applicants claiming education toward qualification must submit transcripts; experience documentation must include hours worked per week.
• Competitive candidates must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop, and present formal and informal interpretive programs and services connecting park resource meanings to visitor interests.
• Staff visitor centers, contact stations, and roving locations to orient visitors and provide accurate information about resources, safety, and facilities.
• Develop and present curriculum-based educational programs and interpretive media for school groups and the visiting public.
• Promote resource stewardship and Leave No Trace principles to foster appropriate visitor behavior and protect park resources.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of interpretive programs and plan new offerings.
• At the full performance level, lead interpretive themes and provide work direction to seasonal staff and volunteers.

Benefits

• Career-seasonal appointments provide the same benefits as Career appointments.
• Uniform allowance.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed