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Seasonal Park Ranger (Interpretation)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Summary

NOTE: OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season. This exception allows up to 1560 hours which may extend the season(s) reflected in this announcement. See the Additional Information section for details.

The typical season for this position is April through September, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. The anticipated entry on duty is April 2026.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/02/2026 to 02/13/2026
Salary
$22.07 to - $28.69 per hour

An additional 3% cost of living allowance (COLA) will be added to the salary above. Pay is subject to annual review and adjustment.

Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Bartlett Cove, AK
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1560 hours
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
AK-1537-GLBA-26-12838360-LH
Control number
856063500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is being filled via the Alaska Nat'l Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), local hire authority (16 USC 3198). Any U.S. Citizen who has acquired special knowledge or expertise regarding the natural or cultural resources of Glacier Bay Nat'l Park & Preserve, by reason of having lived or worked in or near the unit may apply. To be eligible your resume must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration (see qualifications section).

Duties

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This position is located in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in the Interpretation Division.

Duties of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Develop interpretive programs, conduct basic research of topics using records, documents, books, files, and interviews with people who have personal knowledge.
  • Present onsite programs to a wide variety of audiences. Programs may include guided walks, demonstrations, PowerPoint presentations, etc.
  • Staff the Information Desk at the visitor center serving as contact for visitors entering the building.
  • Greet visitors and provide information on a variety of subjects including local and regional attractions.
  • Answer telephones and provide area information, take messages, etc.

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.

Please visit find a park for additional park information.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
  • Performs ladder transfers from a vessel to a cruise ship and from a cruise ship to a vessel. You must be physically and mentally able to safely climb a rope ladder 15 feet in height during transfers from one vessel to another while both boats are in motion in exposed waters.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 02/13/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required. Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties.
-AND-
To be eligible your resume must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration. The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraph.

Areas considered "near" Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is the area within the State of Alaska that extends from Dixon Entrance on the south to Icy Bay on the north. (See map of local hire geographic area)

-ALSO-


The following are the competencies identified for this position. Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document, but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies.

  1. Basic knowledge of interpretive principles, practices, techniques, and themes to develop and deliver interpretive programs.
  2. Present formal and informal audience and learner-centered interpretive experiences using well established and commonly known interpretive skills, techniques, and tools; and ability to prepare and deliver structured and informal presentations that are clearly consistent with the strategic goals and objectives of interpretation.
  3. Basic knowledge of the natural, cultural, and recreational resources and history of the specific park assigned.
  4. Knowledge of visitor facility/center operations to perform the routine activities of a visitor facility and/or information desk and provide assistance in coordinating day-to-day operations.
  5. Ability to promote safety principles and practices that ensure a safe environment.
  6. Ability to assist in coordinating special projects.
  7. Ability to track, report, and review visitor use statistics for trends.
  8. Ability to effectively communicate orally in order to present ideas and information that increase understanding of programs, policies, and objectives.
  9. Ability to utilize common computer programs and applications (e.g., word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and other software systems) for publishing content to websites and social media sites.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the required special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof as outlined in this announcement.

Additional information

NOTE: In support of Executive Order (EO) 14189 "Celebrating America's 250th Birthday" and EO 14314 "Making America Beautiful Again by Improving our National Parks" the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved an exception to the 1039-hour time limitation for this position. This approval extends the time limitation to 1560 hours for this temporary seasonal appointment.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Government housing may be available.

This is an excepted service appointment that does not confer competitive status.

Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.

Alaska currently does not have a state income tax.

Selectee may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries.

Physical Demands: The work involves extensive periods of standing and walking, in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines, carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, etc.

Working Conditions: The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness, e.g., high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents, responses to the questions in the assessment). If your resume does not reflect having lived / worked within the area of consideration, if your responses to the questions in the assessment do not reflect special knowledge of the natural and/or cultural resources of the park or preserve, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.

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.

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