Park Ranger (Interpretation) (Seasonal)

US National Park Service; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The US National Park Service seeks Interpretive Rangers to develop and present educational programs, including guided walks and public presentations. You will engage diverse park audiences in a variety of settings and help visitors connect with park resources and stories.

Open to the first 50 applicants. The position supports a seasonal staffing cycle with typical duties spanning preparation, delivery, and evaluation of interpretive content for park visitors.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 in the Federal service.
• Examples include: park guide, interpretive programming, or environmental education.
• Ability to deliver presentations and respond to public feedback.

Responsibilities

• Develop and present educational programs and guided walks.
• Engage with diverse park audiences in various settings.
• Adapt interpretive content to educational standards and audience needs.

Skills

Specialized experience

Public presentations

Education program design

Education

Graduate education in natural resources or related field

Job description

Interpretive Rangers develop and present educational programs including guided walks and presentations, and working with audiences in a variety of park settings.

Open to the first 50 applicants. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 10/26/2026

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Seasonal Staffing Office-Chesapeake Bay Office is March - September, but can be variable due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-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.

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

• A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. 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. This work includes: (1) revising educational or interpretive programming to align with feedback or educational standards; (2) delivering presentations to the general public; (3) responding in writing to comments or feedback from the public about organizational programs or services; (4) answering questions orally from the general public about organizational policies or procedures.
• B. Possess 2 full years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a LL.B. or J.D. in one of the following fields: 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. The education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.
• C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. Note: only education in excess of what is required at the GS-07 level will be used to substitute specialized experience at the GS-09 level.

Note: This position includes money handling preference for optional consideration. Money handling requires a higher background check.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.

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.

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 broadening public support for preserving and protecting park resources, so that they may be enjoyed by present and future generations.