Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation)

U.S. Department of the Interior; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform allowance

Job summary

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, is seeking a Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation) to lead district visitor services across a broad urban park district.

You will direct interpretive staff, plan innovative programs, and manage events to engage diverse visitors while maintaining safety and mission focus. The role emphasizes coordination with partners, use of media and technology for interpretation, and guidance of staff to deliver high-quality experiences for park

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Selectee must be registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-59).
• Background investigation and favorable adjudication required.
• Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.

Responsibilities

• Plan, supervise, and implement district programs and services for park visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
• Direct staff in development of interpretive programs and use of media and technology.
• Monitor program quality and effectiveness, and implement improvements.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with agencies and community stakeholders.
• Oversee special district events, including high-profile demonstrations, with complex coordination.

Job description

Summary

You will serve as a Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation), District Ranger with National Park Service. You will be responsible for visitor services for a wide geographic district within the park, directing and leading interpretive staff within the district. The unique demography of this site is in an urban setting, significantly increasing the demands and complexity of this position.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Plan, supervise, and implement a variety innovative district programs and services for park visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Monitor programs for quality, accuracy, relevancy to the mission, and effectiveness in achieving objectives, and implementing improvements through innovative and realistic program changes. Assist in establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with agencies and individuals that have associations with the district and promoting relations with park neighbors and visitors. Direct staff in the development of interpretive programs and advises them on ways to improve quality through the use of various media such as music, arts/crafts, theater, and living history presentations as well as interpretive media using technology such as digital and social media. Oversee special events in the district, including First Amendment Rights demonstrations, that in some instances are extremely high profile and complex.

Education

This position does not allow substituting education for experience.

Requirements

Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. 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/. Driver's License: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. Uniform: You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English. Government Charge Card: You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and/or purchase authority. Ability to lift: You must be able to lift 25 pounds. Probationary Period: 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 the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Supervisory Probationary Period: This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

Evaluations

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessment(s) required for this position. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. 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. You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Client Engagement/Change Management Planning and Evaluating Stakeholder Management Writing To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessment(s), including a structured resume review.This assessment measures the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job. All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. DUE WEIGHT: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

What to Expect Next

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated. 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. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) -08/18/2026-unless otherwise stated. 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 2 single-sided pages and resumes longer than 2 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. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. Resume Builder: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessments. Performance Appraisals and Awards: All applicants must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor. If the performance appraisal is not dated within the last 18 months OR no performance appraisal is available, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level). Eligibility Documentation: Current and former Federal employees must submit latest SF-50 (i.e. Promotion, Separation, Within Grade Increase (WGI)) showing tenure 1 or 2 in block 24, grade, duty location, and if applicable, an additional SF-50 showing the highest grade or promotion potential held. Time in grade will be determined by reviewing your resume and required SF-50s. If your SF-50 showing highest permanent grade held has an effective date within the past year, your resume must clearly show that you held that grade for one year. Do not submit award SF-50s. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA): If you are applying under LMWFA, you must submit ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment verifying the Position Occupied code 1-Competitive Service (block 34); AND Documentation of satisfactory performance for each period of temporary employment claimed, such as, performance evaluations, memorandum of record, whereas the supervisor(s) documented an acceptable performance level for a specified rating/employment period. CTAP eligibles MUST submit proof of eligibility including a copy of the agency notice, most recent performance rating, and most recent SF-50 showing your position, grade level, and duty location. For more information visit: Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). 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.

Other Information

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 here, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior. Physical Demands: The work is frequently sedentary but does require some physical exertion such as walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs, standing, and bending to implement onsite inspections and program operations. The incumbent is required to operate a government owned or leased motorized vehicle. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting and outdoors. Remainder of work involves trips to community meetings, meetings with interested organizations, and regional and park meetings. Incumbent is required to wear NPS uniform and to maintain a valid driver's license.