Experience your America and build a fulfilling career by joining the National Park Service. Become a part of our mission to unite our past, our cultures and our special places, to establish important connections to the present and build a rich and lasting legacy for future generations.


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.

These are TEMPORARY positions/appointments not to exceed1year that may be extended up to two years.Employment may be extended or terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance or other considerations.

This announcement is being advertised undermerit promotion eligibles anddelegated examining procedures and is open to all citizens. Candidates who wish to be considered under both procedures must submit complete application packages for both vacancies.

More positions may be filled than indicated in this announcement, if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the date of the issuance of the certificate.


KEY REQUIREMENTS: 


Incumbent is required to wear the prescribed National Park Service uniform. 

Possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. 

Provide the last four digits of your SSN ONLY!

 

Back to top   Duties

 Additional Duty Location Info: 

5 vacancies - Washington DC Metro Area, DC; 5 vacancies - Throughout Maryland



The incumbent of this position performs a variety of duties to support interpretive operations for the historic sites of National Park Service, National Capitals Parks-East.  The incumbent presents informal and formal talks, guided tours to all types of audiences.  Researches scientific, technical and/or historical sources to develop information and educational program.  Translates this information into understandable presentations and written documents for diverse audiences.  Provides information to the public about cultural, historical, or natural science-oriented topics.  Responds to visitors inquires for information, direction and guidance.  Assess customer needs to appropriate level of information or assistance.  Provides direction to, information on, and orientation regarding services or activities of interest to the public.  Serves as front-line representative to greet customers and answer questions.  Directs customers with problems, questions or complaints.  Educates customers regarding rules, regulations, and safety concerns to gain compliance.  Performs opening and closing procedures for cites bookstores and information center.  Completes daily reports to account for sales.  Operates a cash register or credit card machine to accomplish working business operation.  Maintain inventory, stock and accountable property.  Collects cash while staffing bookstore or processing donation money.  

 

Back to top   Qualifications and EvaluationsQUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: 


To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate that you possess either the specialized experience or the education as described below. 

For the GS-05 grade level

EXPERIENCE:  You must show one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal service.   Specialized experience  is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.   Examples of qualifying specialized experience for this position include, but are not limited to, the following: park guide or tour leader, work in a park, recreation or conservation area, environmental education, history and/or cultural resources education, and natural sciences education.   Work will include independent research and presentation. 

OR

EDUCATION: You must possess a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work.   One year of full time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. 

OR

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience regardless of whether compensation was received or whether the experience was gained in a part-time or full-time occupation.   Full-time work is generally considered 40 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position, the starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the number of hours scheduled to work per week. 

Applicants are responsible for providing documentation that the applicable educational provisions have been met. To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts or list of college courses with your name, school name, credit or semester hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Official transcripts are required upon selection if you qualified based on education. 

Education must have been obtained from an accredited or pre-accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. 

For further information on creditable education, visit: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html and http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html 

NOTE:  Applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.


UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT.

New employees of the Department of the Interior must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of net pay within 30 days of entrance on duty.

Incumbent must have a valid State orDistrict of Columbia driver's license. 

Appointment will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. Under the requirements of the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), all new Federal employees, must pass a background investigation. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be ground for termination.

This is not a drug tested position.

The OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment form MUST BE SUBMITTED with your application package. This form is available for downloading athttp://www.opm.gov

NOTE: Travel, transportation, and relocation expenseswill not be paid by the Agency. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:


You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required; and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with this position as defined below. When describing your knowledge, skills, and abilities, please be sure to give examples and explain how often you used these skills, the complexity of the knowledge you possessed, the level of the people you interacted with, the sensitivity of the issues you handled, etc. 


Narrative Statement (Basis of Rating): Applicants will be rated based on the rating factors (knowledge, skills, and abilities) listed below.  Candidates should submit a narrative statement on a separate page(s) with specific responses to the rating factors listed below.  Since applicant scores are based on demonstrated possession of these factors, failure to submit your narrative response to the KSAs for this job may adversely affect your eligibility and/or rating for this position.

For non-status applicants, once your qualifications have been evaluated, your application will be assigned a numeric score between 70 and 100. Candidates will be ranked in score order with appropriate points added for veterans' preference.  If an interview panel is used, applications will be rated (scored) and ranking.

KSA's:   

1.      Ability to operate a busy park visitor center, including opening and closing of the facility, operating audio-visual equipment, and answer public inquiries by mail and phone while providing excellent customer service to diverse audiences with tact and diplomacy.

2.     Ability to communicate orally to diverse groups and a variety of settings.

3.    Skill in money handling and the use of fee collection equipment including electronic cash registers, credit card machines, computers, copiers, and typewriters; has performed fee collection duties including collecting and reconciling funds.

 

Back to top   Benefits and Other Info BENEFITS: 


You may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, after a year of federal service at full cost to you the government do not contribute. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB.

Life insurance coverage is not provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life

Not eligible for Long-Term Care Insurance. More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#ltci

Temporary appointment do not automatically be covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr

You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#VACA

You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV

You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#HOLI

You may not participate in the Thrift Savings Plan. More info: http://www.tsp.gov/If you use public transportation, part of your transportation costs may be subsidized. Our human resources office can provide additional information on how this program is run.OTHER INFORMATION: 


JOB INFORMATION HOTLINE: 202-619-7256

Note: This is an open announcement for which current Federal employees, reinstatement eligibles, and applicants from outside the Federal Government may apply. Qualified veterans who apply will receive Veteran's Preference in accordance with current law and regulations.

Special Appointment Authority: Individuals who are eligible for consideration under a special hiring authority (e.g., 30% compensable veterans, VRA eligibles, severely handicapped individuals, former Peace Corps and VISTA Volunteers, etc.) will be accepted and considered non-competitively for this vacancy. Special hiring authority eligibles must indicate on their application if they are applying under a special program and submit proof of eligibility with their application. The VRA hiring authority is limited to positions at the GS-11 level and below. 

Veterans Preference:  Five points may be added to the eligible ratings of veterans who: Entered the military service prior to October 14, 1976; served on active duty during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990 and January 2, 1992, regardless of where the person served; served on active duty as defined in section 101(21) of Title 38 at any time in the armed forces for a period of 180 consecutive days any part of which occurred during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law as the last date of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or, served in a military action for which they received a campaign badge or expeditionary medal. Medal holders and Gulf War veterans must have served continuously for at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Ten points may be granted to the eligible ratings of disabled veterans; Purple Heart recipients; spouses or mothers of a 100 percent disabled veteran; or the widows, widowers, or mothers of a deceased veteran. Supporting documentation must be provided in order to receive the appropriate veteran's preference.  For more information on Veteran's preference, visit: http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp

CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) & INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP):

Qualified individuals applying based on special priority consideration rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.  'Well-qualified' means that an eligible employee meets the qualification standards and eligibility requirements for the position, including any medical qualifications, suitability, and minimum educational and experience requirements.  The employee must meet all selective factors where applicable, must be physically qualified to perform the essential duties of the position, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate, and must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Individuals seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP.  This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.  Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. 

 

Back to top   How To Apply HOW TO APPLY: 


Applicants may mail, e-mail, hand deliver, or fax application materials.

If application is submitted by mail, it must be mailed to the address indicated in the contact section of the announcement, by the closing date of the announcement.  Applications may be faxed to the fax number indicated in the contact section of the announcement, by the closing date of the announcement.  Applications may be hand delivered to the address indicated in the contact section of the announcement, by the closing date of the announcement. 

Applications may be emailed to gwmp_personnel@nps.gov and must be received in the Human Resources office by the closing date of the announcement.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit any additional required documentation as stated in the vacancy announcement.  Additional required documentation should also be received by the closing date.

Submit one of the following:

OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment; or

SF171, Application for Federal Employment; or        

Resume  

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED IN YOUR APPLICATION.

1.  JOB INFORMATION - announcement number, title and grade of the job for which you are applying.

2.  PERSONAL INFORMATION - Full name; mailing address with ZIP Code; day and evening phone numbers, with area code; last four digits of social security number only; country of citizenship; veterans' preference; reinstatement eligibility (you must attach SF-50 for proof of your career or career-conditional status); and highest Federal civilian grade held, with job series and dates held.

3.  EDUCATION - High school name, city, state (zip code if known), and date of diploma or GED; name, city, and state (zip code if known) of colleges and universities attended, with majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours).

4.  WORK EXPERIENCE - Give the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying:  (a) Job Title (include series and grade if Federal job); (b) duties and accomplishments;