Supervisory Park Ranger (I)

National Park Service (DOI); Alaska; On-site; USD 84,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

National Park Service (DOI) in Alaska seeks a Senior Interpretive Specialist to advise park management on interpretive, visitor services, and education programs. The role involves supervising staff, managing projects, and leading distance learning initiatives from Bartlett Cove.

You will guide program development, lead staff meetings, and coordinate with cruise ships and partners to deliver interpretive experiences, while ensuring program quality and alignment with park missions.

Qualifications

• Basic Educational Requirements: degree in relevant field with transcripts or qualifying experience.
• Specialized Experience: four of five items listed are required at GS-11 level.
• Education/Combination: education or combination can qualify, with transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal advisor to park management on interpretive, visitor services, volunteer, and education programs.
• Manage projects from start to finish, including scopes of work, proposals, and budget tracking.
• Participate in decisions affecting all park divisions and operations as a park management team member.
• Establish long- and short-term goals for the division.
• Supervise division staff including permanent, seasonal employees, interns, and VIPs.

Skills

Interpretive program development

Staff leadership

Public speaking

Program analysis

Collaborative planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural resources or related field

PhD or 3+ years graduate education in related field

Job description

Summary

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Alaska Region, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Bartlett Cove, Alaska. You will serve as a Senior Interpretive Specialist for the Division of Interpretation. You will provide guidance and leadership in the decision-making process for programs and perform supervisory duties.

Location

Bartlett Cove, AK

Work Options

Telework eligible: Yes— During emergency or natural disaster only.

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Salary

$84,439 – $109,777 per year

Pay scale & grade: GS 11

Promotion potential: None

Schedule & Travel

Work schedule: Full-time

Travel Required: 25% or less – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment & Series

Appointment type: Permanent

Occupations and job series: 0025 Park Ranger

Supervisory Status

Yes

Federal Service Type

This job is in the Competitive Service

Union Representation

No

Drug Test

No

Security Clearance

Not Required

Position Sensitivity & Background Check

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Background check type:

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial Disclosure

Yes

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement Numbers

Announcement number: CAHM-27-13101532-IMP-LH

Control number: 890692900

Eligibility

This job is open to Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement. Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants. Clarification from the agency: This is an Internal Merit Promotion announcement for current and former career and career conditional National Park Service employees, Career Transition eligibles (CTAP & ICTAP) and Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Internal to NPS (NPS-wide only). Refer to Required Documents section for more information.

Duties

1. Serve as the principal advisor to park management on all matters related to the interpretive, visitor services, volunteer, and education programs.
2. Manage projects from start to finish, including writing scopes of work, proposals, and budget tracking.
3. Serve as a key member of the park management team, participating in decisions that affect all park divisions and operations.
4. Establish long‑and short‑term goals for the division.
5. Perform deliberative program analysis and prepare and complete a variety of reports.
6. Supervise the division staff, including permanent and seasonal employees, interns, and VIPs.
7. Represents the park in public meetings with various community and interest groups.

This position offers abundant opportunities to develop and manage a variety of education and interpretive programs, including a summer operation at the Bartlett Cove Visitor Center. Supervising and directing the work of 8 seasonal employees (GS‑0025-07) and one permanent youth/education ranger including scheduling, coaching, and evaluating performance for each employee. Provides coaching on current interpretive techniques, such as Audience Centered Experiences (ACE). Oversees a distance learning program that reaches students from around the globe. Leading staff meetings, setting agendas about subjects being discussed and ensuring that notes are taken and distributed to the staff in a timely manner. Developing and presenting a limited number of formal interpretive programs on cruise ships depending on staffing levels and schedules.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.
• You may be required to work on‑call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Must be able to board and disembark cruise ships while underway in a pilot‑style transfer.
• Must pass a practical simulated ladder transfer in Bartlett Cove before being approved for duty.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that you should continue.

Additional: This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement – 11/06/2026-unless otherwise stated. Competitive candidates must also meet Time‑in‑Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non‑award SF‑50 as part of your application. An award SF‑50 will not be acceptable documentation. For periods that reflect military service, the DD‑214 or Statement of Service is sufficient. For all other applicants not current federal employees, your resume must state either “full‑time” (or “40 hours a week”) or “part‑time” with the number of hours worked per week.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

(1) Basic Educational Requirement AND/OR (2) Basic Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

1. Degree: Undergraduate and Graduate Education – 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. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. You must submit transcripts.

• OR-

2. Basic Experience: Experience that demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. 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 qualifying specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Park guide or tour leader.
• Law enforcement or investigative work.
• Archeological 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.

In addition to the minimum qualification requirement, you must also meet the following specialized experience:

Specialized Experience : To qualify for this position at the GS‑11 grade level, you must meet at least four of the five below listed items:

To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as:

1. Researching, developing and presenting a wide variety of interpretive programs.
2. Providing leadership, guidance, and direction to paid and volunteer staff.
3. Researching, writing, designing, and developing interpretive media.
4. Planning, implementing, and ensuring follow‑through for special events, projects, and programs.
5. Applying knowledge of natural and cultural history to support interpretive programs, projects, and visitor engagement.

You must include hours per week worked.

• OR-

Education : Successful completion of at least a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a field of study in 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 course work in other appropriate fields that clearly provided a background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position. You must include transcripts.

• OR-

Combination of education and experience as listed above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

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. 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.

Physical Demands: Most of the work is sedentary. The position may require periods of strenuous physical activity including periods of standing, walking, climbing, and lifting of objects weighing approximately 50 pounds (video equipment). Be willing and able (physically and mentally) to safely climb rope ladders fifteen feet in height during transfer from one vessel to another while both boats are in motion in exposed waters. Every employee must pass a practical simulated ladder transfer in Bartlett Cove before being approved for duty.

Work Environment: Most assignments are performed indoors, but some activities require exposure to variances in weather and terrain; incumbent must be able to board and disembark cruise ships while underway in a pilot‑style transfer.

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

Additional Information

Salary Range Information (Per Annum): GS‑11, Step 1 at $84,439 to GS11, Step 10 at $109,777.

Pay data based off the General Schedule Salary Table 2026 for State of Alaska (AK). First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

In addition to hourly salary, you will receive a 3.00% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), subject to annual review and adjustment.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.

The duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Review our benefits: Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required Documents

1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month‑year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full‑time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single‑side pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10‑point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5‑inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
2. Complete All Required Assessment(s).
3. Performance Appraisals and Awards: You must submit your most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor dated within the past 18 months. If unavailable, a written explanation is required. Performance awards dated within the past 5 years may also be submitted for due weight consideration.
4. All College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education.
5. Eligibility Documentation : ...

• Current and former Federal employees must submit latest SF‑50 ...

• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA): ...

• Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): ...

Failure to submit any of the above‑mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.

Agency Contact Information

DOI Service Delivery Team 1 Unit E (AKR)

[e-mail]

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

P O Box 140

Gustavus, AK 99826

US

Next Steps

Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.

Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.

Fair and Transparent

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request