Park Ranger

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Newburyport, MA

7h

About The Position

The Park Ranger serves with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The position leads the refuge’s fee collection program and provides visitor services, public safety and resource protection support, and educational programming. Duties include handling government funds and maintaining fee-related records, coordinating seasonal staff and volunteers, sharing information with visitors, and helping maintain public-use facilities. The duties are suitable for telework, which may be permitted with supervisor approval. The employee must wear a uniform; a uniform allowance will be provided. The duty schedule may include weekends, holidays, and evenings. The position may require a one-year probationary period or a two-year trial period.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must successfully complete 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 wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Must meet the qualification requirements by the announcement closing date of October 30, 2026.
• Competitive candidates must meet applicable federal Time-in-Grade requirements.
• Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level, or qualify through the stated education, combined experience and education, or Superior Academic Achievement pathways.
• Qualifying specialized experience may include handling cash, checks, and credit cards; completing calculations and accurate monetary exchanges; maintaining inventory; training and supporting interns or volunteers; handling high-volume public contacts and stressful conditions; providing accurate public information to ensure compliance with rules; maintaining safe and welcoming public-use resources; and supporting public educational programming.
• Applicants claiming experience must document hours worked per week on their resume; current federal employees may need to submit a non-award SF-50 if hours per week are not listed.
• For the graduate education pathway, must have completed one full academic year of graduate-level education related to the position; transcripts are required to support claimed education.
• For the Superior Academic Achievement pathway, must have a bachelor’s degree in a directly related field and meet one of the listed class-rank, GPA, or national scholastic honor society criteria.
• A one-year probationary period or two-year trial period may be required; continued employment beyond the period requires written agency certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the gatehouse fee collection program, including recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, prioritizing work, evaluating, and providing feedback to up to three temporary fee collectors annually and year-round volunteers.
• Collect entrance fees and handle government funds according to accountability guidelines; operate cash registers and credit card readers, perform opening and closing functions, issue receipts, passes, and permits, and verify their validity.
• Prepare monthly fee reports and transmittals; maintain spreadsheets for fee and pass tracking and databases for accountable stock; and troubleshoot accounting and reporting errors.
• Manage crowd and traffic control by directing seasonal rangers and volunteers, updating public notification systems about refuge access, and coordinating with Refuge Law Enforcement to support public safety and resource protection.
• Provide customer service and accurate information about the refuge and nearby points of interest, recreational opportunities, safety hazards, operational changes, and seasonal opportunities; distribute maps, brochures, and other printed materials.
• Plan, develop, and deliver educational programming and provide orientations about current events and resource management projects affecting natural, historical, and cultural resources.
• Monitor public-use facilities for health and safety issues and take or coordinate corrective action, including trail maintenance, beach and roadside cleanups, minor maintenance, and support for Friends and volunteer-led projects.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Eligible selectees may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive, at the agency’s discretion; an agreement to continue service may be required in some cases.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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