FUL-Park Ranger (Interpretation) (Seasonal)
What you'd do
This job announcement is open to the first 50 applicants or until 08/03/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. This position is located in Frances Perkins National Monument, in the Interpretation Division. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for this position is May - November, but this can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: Sept 2026
Major duties
Coordinating the operation of a visitor facility and information desk to include developing daily work schedules for tours of duty and location of assignments. Developing and presenting a wide variety of formal and informal audience and learner-centered interpretive experiences using a variety of fully developed interpretive skills, techniques, and tools delivered in-person and through interpretive media and technology. Training, mentoring, coaching and evaluating a broad range of interpretive programs and products conducted by fellow interpreters, critique these activities, and recommend individual or program improvements. Identifying effective customer service practices and facilitating a collaborative, proactive, and welcoming work environment. Coordinating the development and implementation of special projects from beginning to end. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. 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 broadens public support for preserving and protecting park resources, so that they may be enjoyed by present and future generations. Newcastle, Maine is a small, close-knit coastal community of just over 1,800 residents, known for its historic charm, scenic landscapes, and deep sense of place. Nestled along the Damariscotta River, it offers peaceful rural living with easy access to year-round amenities in the neighboring twin villages of Newcastle and Damariscotta. The town provides a strong blend of heritage and modern life, with historic homes, working farms, and a vibrant village center that supports local businesses, arts, and community traditions. Despite its tranquil feel, Newcastle is conveniently located: just 23 miles from Augusta and 41 miles from Portland, making regional services, cultural events, and transportation options readily accessible. For those working at the Frances Perkins National Monument, Newcastle offers an ideal home base-quiet, community-oriented, and deeply connected to the landscapes and stories that define this part of mid-coast Maine.
What you need to qualify
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/03/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. To qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is 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. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the occupation (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 include transcripts. -OR- Equivalent combination of education and specialized experience. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned toward a graduate degree, beyond the first 18 semester hours, and divide by 18. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include 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 (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.
Before you apply
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