Park Ranger (Interpretation-Language) (Seasonal)

Department of Interior; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of the Interior seeks a Park Ranger (Interpretation) to provide engaging interpretive programs across National Park Service locations. The role emphasizes public education, safety, and resource stewardship.

Location is negotiable within the National Park Service system. Applicants must meet ICTAP/CTAP priority and demonstrate qualifications through a clear, two-page resume; detailed eligibility and background checks apply.

Qualifications

• A year of specialized experience GS-04 level or equivalent.
• 4-year degree with 24 semester hours of related coursework.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education.

Responsibilities

• Provide interpretation and education in park settings.
• Conduct independent research and present findings.
• Assist with protecting natural and cultural resources.

Skills

Park guide

Environmental education

Law enforcement

Archaeology/history

Conservation policy

Research and presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree with 24 sem hrs related coursework

Graduate education (1 year)

Job description

This announcement is for the Park Ranger (Interpretation), to clear ICTAP/CTAP priority lists. It is only open to current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the ICTAP/CTAP.

National Park Service-wide (location negotiable). To see available parks and duty locations, please visit Find Your Park.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 10/12/2026 to be considered. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/12/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2 page 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 full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Foreign Language Requirement:

In addition to standard interpretation qualifications listed below, the applicant must be conversationally fluent in at least one of the following (21) languages:

• American Sign Language
• Apache
• Cantonese
• French
• German
• Havasupai
• Hopi
• Hualapai
• Japanese
• Lakota
• Mandarin
• Navajo
• Paiute
• Russian
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Tewa
• Vietnamese
• Hawaiian
• Yavapai
• Zuni

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following

• A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: park guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archaeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations; or other similar work.
• B. A 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related coursework (one year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours).
• C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following

• A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: park guide or tour leader, work in a park, recreation or conservation area, environmental education, history and/or cultural resources education, and natural sciences education. Work will include independent research and presentation.
• B. You must possess one full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation (one year of full-time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours).
• C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.

Note:

Money handling requires a higher background check.

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.

ICTAP/CTAP Statement:

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).