FUL - Park Ranger

U.S.-Fish-; Newburyport (MA); Remote; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites qualified individuals to serve as a Park Ranger at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, MA.

The position offers a path through GS-07 or GS-09 levels with competitive federal benefits and first-time hires starting at step 1. Duties include developing environmental education programs, staffing a visitor center, coordinating logistics for public programs, and building partnerships with local groups.

Qualifications

• At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 in federal service or private sector.
• Experience in interpretive programming, environmental education, and public use management.
• Ability to coordinate logistics, supplies, and services for public programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct environmental education or interpretation programs.
• Lead and staff a visitor center operation.
• Develop a robust visitor services program and recruit/train volunteers.
• Coordinate partnerships with community organizations.

Skills

Interpretive programming

Environmental education

Project management

Oral/written communication

Public use planning

Logistics coordination

Education

Graduate-level education related to natural resources

Bachelor's degree with SAA or related field

Combination of education and experience

Job description

You will serve as a Park Ranger with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, within the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, MA.

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Requirements Continued...

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/30/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

You may qualify at the GS -07 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

• Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: Supporting and co-leading interpretive programming and environmental education to enhance public knowledge of nature-based recreation and conservation principles; assisting with project management including data reporting, status updates, and providing feedback on project performance; providing feedback and review on oral, written, and graphic communication developed for a variety of public audiences and groups; providing feedback and review on impacts of ecology, organizational factors, economics, and/or behavioral science on public use management, strategy, and planning; and supporting coordination of logistics, supplies, publications, and services to implement effective public service.
• OR
• Education: Successful completion of at least 1 full academic year of graduate level education related to the duties of this position. Examples of this type of study include 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.
• OR
• Combination of education and experience as listed above. A combination of specialized experience as described in response A above and education as described in response B above. (Determine the percentage of qualifying specialized experience you possess and determine the percentage of qualifying education you possess. Add the two percentages together. The total percentage must equal at least 100% in order to qualify based on a combination of experience and education). This experience is described in my resume/application, and I will submit copies of my college transcripts.
• OR
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a directly related field AND meet one of the following: (1) Class Standing: rank in the upper 3rd of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on the completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (GPA): earn a GPA of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field, or the required courses completed during the final two years. Note: GPA will be rounded to the one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9; OR (3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society.

You may qualify at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

• Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: developing and conducting environmental education or interpretation programs; developing and managing partnerships with community organizations and corporations; leading and staffing a visitor center operation; developing a visitor services program that utilizes natural resource management principles and conservation; developing a robust volunteer program that includes recruitment, training, and leading volunteers; and utilizing public use related laws, regulations, policies, standards, or procedures to lead a visitor services program.
• OR
• Education: Have two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree - 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.
• OR
• Combination of Education and Experience: Possess a combination of qualifying specialized experience and more than one year of graduate education (both as described above) that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. Only graduate education beyond the first full year (18 semesters) is creditable using this method. NOTE: Transcripts required, and your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard.

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.