Chief of Interpretation

Full Job Description

This position serves as Chief of the Division of Interpretation, Education and Visitor Services of the jointly managed Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (APCO) and Booker T.

Washington National Monument (BOWA). The primary purpose of this position is to oversee all interpretive, education, and visitor services programs and functions within APCO and BOWA.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-03/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time).

Part-time hours will be pro-rated to determine the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement.

Submission of transcripts is required if qualifying based on education.

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Examples of Specialized experience include coordinating, managing or directing interpretive programs; developing long range interpretive program plans; developing and training others on educational programs; managing interpretive staff or other similar work.

You must include hours per week worked on your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree related to the occupation.

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.

Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled.

A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected.

-OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above that equals at least 100%.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

Open to the first 50 applicants or until 03/13/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

You would supervise staff across both parks, managing hiring, performance, conduct, development, and day-to-day workload.

You would oversee all interpretive operations by setting goals, developing programs, managing visitor centers, and coordinating year-round educational and public outreach activities.

Lead interpretive planning and media development, including exhibits, publications, digital content, and integration of new technologies.

Manage the division's budget, develop funding requests, and pursue grants and partnership opportunities to support interpretive and visitor services programs.

Coordinate partnerships, handle public information duties, and administer special use and commercial use permits for both park units.

The employees of the National Park Service care for special places that are the heritage of all Americans.

Since its inception in 1916, the National Park Service has been dedicated to the preservation and management of this country's outstanding natural, historical, and recreational resources.

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.

Physical Demands The position may require strenuous physical activity, including periods of standing, walking, climbing stairs, and lifting and carrying heavy objects on the farm at BOWA.

Planning, preparation, and research and writing work is sedentary, which entails the ability to concentrate and write for long periods of time.

Work Environment Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. Incumbent is subject to bites and stings from a variety of insects and rodents, as well as domestic farm animals.

The incumbent may be exposed to varying conditions from winter snow and ice to hot, humid summer temperatures.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized.

In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.