Seasonal Park Ranger (Interpretation)

Full Job Description

NOTE: OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season.

This exception allows up to 1560 hours which may extend the season(s) reflected in this announcement. See the Additional Information section for details.

This is an open continuous announcement with an established initial cut-off date of February 13, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the initial cut-off date.

Please see "Next Steps" for additional information. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 06/01/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required.

Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties.

-AND- To be eligible your resume must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration. The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraph.

Areas considered "near" Denali National Park and Preserve, Toklat, and Wonder Lake duty stations include only: Anderson, Cantwell, Chulitna, Clear, Curry, Denali Park, Ferry, Healy, Kantishna, Lake Minchumina, McKinley Village, Nenana, Nikolai, Petersville, Talkeetna, Tanana, Telida, and Trapper Creek.

-ALSO- The following are the competencies identified for this position.

Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies: Ability to communicate verbally to diverse groups in a variety of settings.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to research, develop, and present to diverse audiences a variety of formal, structured, and impromptu thematic interpretive programs such as talks, guided walks, and off-site programs.

Ability to communicate effectively and provide excellent customer services (interpersonal skills).

Skill in the daily operation of a busy visitor center/information desk, sales outlet, bookstore, or similar facility to include providing frontline information and support services.

Skill in operating various computers and office equipment. Major Duties:

The typical season for this position is April - September but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. The anticipated entry on duty is April 2026.

These positions offer two work schedules listed below. In the application process you will be prompted to indicate the work schedule you wish to be considered for.

When prompted you may select one work schedule or both.

Full-time Part-time (25 hours per week) If selected, you will work as a Park Ranger (Interpretation), GS-0025-05, at Denali National Park and Preserve.

Duties of the position include, but are not limited to the following: Interpretation: Employs effective oral and written communication skills to research, develop, and present a variety of formal and informal thematic interpretive programs including conducted walks, ranger talks, bus welcome messages, and campground programs.

Prepares written interpretive program outlines. Competent with PC compatible equipment and software such as PowerPoint, MS Word, scanners, printers, etc.

Visitor Services: Performs visitor center front desk support by responding to visitor inquiries, making sales, and collecting fees. Provides customer service and informal interpretation.

May maintain brochure inventories, bulletin boards, and audio-visual equipment. May perform front desk support by answering phones, responding to visitor inquiries, making sales, etc.

May complete a variety of supportive functions such as statistical recording, program flyer development, and prop and audio-visual maintenance/inventory.

Boards buses to provide short visitor welcome messages, recording road use data, and providing visitor orientation at the Savage River Check Station.

When needed, the selectee provides first aid to visitors, employees, and others.

Resource Protection: Conducts on-foot roving patrols of the park to provide informal interpretation and to protect natural and cultural resources.

Advises visitors of park regulations and explains the importance of them to encourage visitor support for protection of the resources and/or safety of visitors.

Effectively manages human-wildlife interactions, providing safety and education to visitors. 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.

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