Park Ranger (I)

National Park Service; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Park Service in Dayton, OH seeks a Park Ranger I to interpret resources, convey national significance, and connect visitors to personal relevance through educator and community-focused programs.

You will develop and deliver audience-centered interpretive experiences, coordinate visitor services, engage local communities, and support park learning objectives through a range of formats, both in-person and virtual, with emphasis on data-driven improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver cohesive interpretive experiences grounded in thorough, unbiased research and designed to meet park goals.
• Engage the public through formal programs and informal interactions to build intellectual and emotional connections with park resources.

Job description

Open: September 22, 2026 — Closes: October 2, 2026

Summary

You will serve as a Park Ranger (I) with National Park Service. The primary purpose of this position is to interpret resources to convey national significance; connect visitors to personal relevance; facilitate shared learning; and support specific learning objectives to meet educator and community needs.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Develop and deliver cohesive, audience-centered interpretive experiences-grounded in thorough, unbiased research; informed by multiple perspectives; designed to meet strategic park goals; and presented through a wide range of fully-developed techniques, media, and facilitation skills in both in-person and virtual settings. Engage the public through a range of formal programs and informal interactions that build intellectual and emotional connections to the meaning and relevance of park resources; use these contacts to understand audience needs and interests; evaluate the effectiveness of interpretive experiences; and apply data-driven insights to refine the overall program and recommend new techniques, topics, and approaches. Coordinate daily visitor facility operations by scheduling staff, overseeing and improving visitor services, maintaining adequate information materials, assessing and troubleshooting facility conditions, responding to public inquiries, and using evaluation data to recommend staffing adjustments and new visitor center features. Actively engage local communities through on- and off-site programming; build relationships with individuals and organizations; represent the park at public events; coordinate workshops and meetings; collaborate with volunteers, partners, and stakeholders; contribute to interagency and community teams; and support or assist in developing partnership networks and complementary interpretive or management plans. Coordinate special projects from inception to completion by drafting and managing proposals, timelines, and budgets; documenting project information; monitoring progress and communicating updates; ensuring compliance with requirements and standards; providing technical problem-solving support; and evaluating outcomes to confirm goals and objectives are met.