Park Ranger (I)

National Park Service; Arkansas; On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Park Service is seeking a Park Ranger (I) to deliver engaging interpretive programs and educational experiences for visitors, schools, and community groups at Marble Falls, AR and Yellville, AR.

The role includes scheduling, mentoring staff and volunteers, creating educational materials, and coordinating content for social media and the website, with a focus on quality park experiences and safety.

Qualifications

• Transcripts required to support education claimed for qualifications.
• Unofficial transcripts acceptable for initial qualification, official transcripts required before work begins.
• Foreign education must be evaluated for equivalence to U.S. education.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging interpretive programs to park visitors, schools, and community groups.
• Assist in scheduling visitor centers and contact stations; mentor staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Create and present educational materials; coordinate social media and website content.
• Support operations, manage store-related tasks, and reconcile financial transactions.
• Promote safety, track visitor statistics, and identify ways to improve visitor services.

Job description

You will serve as a Park Ranger (I) with National Park Service. This vacancy announcement is being used to fill positions at Marble Falls, AR and Yellville, AR.

Key Responsibilities

At the full performance level (GS-09) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Serves as a front-line interpreter, delivering engaging educational and interpretive programs to park visitors, local schools, and community groups.

Works closely with their supervisor, to assist in developing schedules for visitor centers and contact stations while training, mentoring, and coaching staff, interns, and volunteers in effective interpretive techniques. Creates and presents educational programs, ensuring visitors receive high-quality experiences that promote understanding and appreciation of the park's natural and cultural resources.

Supports the park's communications, operations, and administrative functions. Responsibilities include developing digital and print interpretive materials, coordinating social media and website content, and maintaining collaborative relationships with park partners, community organizations, concessionaires, and the cooperating bookstore association.

Assists with bookstore operations, issues America the Beautiful passes, reconciles fleet credit card transactions, tracks and reports visitor statistics, promotes safety for staff and visitors, supervises interns or volunteers, and identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency and visitor services Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Area Information: Buffalo National River was established in 1972 as the country's first national river, the park protects 135 miles of river from near its origin in the Boston Mountains to the confluence with the White River in Northwest Arkansas. Nearly 100,000 acres in size, roughly one third of the park's land base is designated wilderness. Heavily wooded and extremely rugged terrains are found throughout the park along with numerous hidden caves and waterfalls.

There are over 100 miles of maintained trails for hiking and horseback use. There are two developed campgrounds and eight primitive campgrounds throughout the entire park. Of the two developed campgrounds, only one offers amenities such as water and electricity hook ups for visitors. There is one visitor center in each of the three districts, two of which are staffed and open to the public year round.

Yellville is a town of approximately 2,000 people located in north central Arkansas, about 30 miles south of the Arkansas-Missouri state line. Government rental housing is not available. Mountain Home is located 25 miles to the east with a population of approximately 11,000 people. Harrison is located 35 miles north and has a population of approximately 14,000 people.

Both Mountain Home and Harrison offers K-12 schools, a community college, restaurants, shopping, groceries, movie theatres, hospitals, and specialized clinics. There are several rental properties, as well as homes to purchase within Marion and Searcy counties. Marble Falls, Arkansas, formerly known as Dogpatch, Arkansas.

The nearest town is Jasper, AR which offers most services found in small towns, such as a grocery store, hardware store, several small restaurants and K-12 public schools. Marble Falls is approximately 60 miles south of the Arkansas-Missouri state line. Harrison is located 30 miles north and has a population of approximately 14,000 people.

Harrison offers K-12 schools, a community college, restaurants, shopping, groceries, a movie theatre, a performing arts theatre, a hospital, and specialized clinics.

Requirements & Education

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position.

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.

For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $50460 – $80243/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-27.

How many openings are available?

There are 2 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.