- Position Title
- Park Ranger (Interpretation)
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- PW-1547-DEVA-24-12489085-ST Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, August 7, 2024 to Tuesday, August 20, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
3.
Do you meet one of the following Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your competitive status or a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
- Current Federal or former employees with career or career- conditional appointments in the competitive service that hold, or have held a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level as the position being announced; or,
- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligibles
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your competitive status or a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
4.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
5.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
For more information, review Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).
- was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
- served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and,
- performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,
- if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
For more information, review Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).
6.
Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
- Disabled veteran receiving 30% or more disability compensation from the VA;
- Transfer, reassignment or reinstatement eligible: current Federal or former employee with career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service that hold, or have previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced; or,
- Individual eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Veterans Recruitment Authority; Military spouses under E.O. 13473; Certain former overseas employees; Present and former Peace Corps, Vista or Action volunteers; Former White House staff; Present and former Foreign Service officers and employees; Certain National Guard technicians; Schedule A; OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
7.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restriction
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restriction
8.
Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?
9.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and you:
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
- recently separated (within the past 3 years)
- are a disabled veteran
- served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition OR
- received an Armed Forces Service Medal
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
My performance is at an acceptable level and I am not serving under a formal Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.
3.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (MUST include beginning and ending month/year e.g., 5/2019-10/2019 or 5/10/2019-10/20/2019), 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 exact hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
4.
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
5.
Merit Promotion applicants who are in a current GS position or have held a GS position any time in the previous 52 weeks (one year) must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks (one year) at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. SF-50(s) that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application (e.g. Promotions, STEP Increases, etc.). Award SF-50s will not be accepted for determination of time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
6.
This is a Career-Seasonal position and subject to release and recall procedures. A permanent career-seasonal position includes all the benefits of permanent employment but does not provide employment on a full year-round basis. As such, the selectee will be in a non-pay/non-duty status for 4 weeks/ 2 pay periods during their first service year in this position.
After their first service year, Career Seasonal employees are guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year, but not more than 50 weeks per year. An employment agreement is required and can be changed annually. Are you willing to accept a permanent, career seasonal position?
After their first service year, Career Seasonal employees are guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year, but not more than 50 weeks per year. An employment agreement is required and can be changed annually. Are you willing to accept a permanent, career seasonal position?
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Park Ranger (Interpretation) GS-0025-7/9 position with the National Park Service. Your responses to this questionnaire in conjunction with other portions of your completed application may be evaluated to determine your qualifications. Please carefully follow the instructions for each question. You must select only ONE response for each item. If you change a response, be certain to unclick the incorrect response before you submit the application. Once you have submitted your application, items that are left blank will not receive credit. THE RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL FOUND TO BE NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
Minimum Qualifications for Park Ranger (Interpretation)
1.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience or education requirements for a Park Ranger (I), GS-0025-07 position. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
2.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience or education requirements for a Park Ranger (I), GS-0025-09 position. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
Interpretation
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Develop and present a wide variety of informational and/or interpretive programs, products, and experiences to enhance public understanding and enjoyment of natural and/or cultural resources.
4.
Evaluate interpretive programs and products and coach/mentor interpreters to achieve competence in professional standards of the National Park Service Interpretive Development Program (IDP) and/or similar professional organizations (e.g., National Association for Interpretation).
5.
Select from and use a variety of audience-centered techniques in the presentation of interpretive products, including dialogic questioning, resource immersion, and hands-on experiences, etc.
6.
Facilitate deliberate opportunities for audiences to make personal connections with the intangible meanings inherent in tangible park resources.
Interpersonal Skills
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
7.
Serve as front-line representative to greet visitors and respond to comments and inquiries received in-person, by
telephone, and in writing (mail, email, and/or social media).
telephone, and in writing (mail, email, and/or social media).
8.
Assess visitor needs based on verbal and non-verbal cues to provide appropriate levels of service.
9.
Educate visitors regarding rules, regulations, and safety concerns to gain compliance; promote programs and
services to encourage public interest and stewardship.
services to encourage public interest and stewardship.
10.
Direct higher-level problems, questions, or complaints to appropriate personnel.
11.
Use tact and diplomacy to build and maintain effective working relationships and communications with park
partners, communities, and co-workers.
partners, communities, and co-workers.
Customer Service
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
12.
Perform opening and closing procedures for an information center in accordance with established procedures.
13.
Record, compile, and report statistical records regarding visitor use and visitor services operations.
Technology Application
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
14.
Use computers for word processing, creating and managing spreadsheets and databases, and creating
audiovisual presentations.
audiovisual presentations.
15.
Use desktop publishing software to create informational and/or interpretive materials in accordance with sound
design principles and organization graphics identity standards.
design principles and organization graphics identity standards.
Leadership
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
16.
Develop and present formal and/or informal training materials on topics including resource interpretation,
customer service, and visitor center operations.
customer service, and visitor center operations.
17.
Work as a lead performing tasks such as problem-solving, making judgment calls, offering guidance, and giving
direction.
direction.
18.
Assist with scheduling and assigning work for staff to ensure equitable workload and opportunities, clear
understanding of daily responsibilities, and operational efficiency.
understanding of daily responsibilities, and operational efficiency.
19.
Assess staff capabilities, performance and conduct, and/or developmental needs.
20.
Assist with the hiring and supervision of temporary personnel, including seasonal employees, interns, and/or
volunteers.
volunteers.