Duties

Summary

This position is located in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, in the Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers Division.

Open to the first 100 applicants or until 11/18/2019 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Develops and presents interpretive programs to the public.
• Uses audience-centered interpretive techniques as appropriate.
• Uses social media and web to provide orientation, information, and interpretation to the public.
• Plans and manages volunteer program for sub-district.
• Assist with planning for future operations, facility, and budget.
• Manages Eastern National operations for visitor center.
• Tracks and reports statistics including visitor use, volunteer, and interpretive programs.
• Develops and implements recruitment, retention, and recognition programs for volunteers.
• Researches park's natural and cultural resources, management, and administrative history.
• Educates staff, volunteers, and visitors regarding management, rules, and regulations of the park.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel to and from other duty locations for training

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
9

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Must pass a Motorboat Operator Certification course (MOCC) training within the first 6 months of employment.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to 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 discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.
• 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, overtime and shift work.
• If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
• Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

Condition of Employment: Must be able to pass a Motorboat Operator Certification course (MOCC) training within the first 6 months of employment.

GS 05:
Experience: Must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level. Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. 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 specialized experience include but are not limited to, Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; 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; or other similar work. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-4 grade level in the federal service.
OR
Education: Four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in a related field. (Related fields of study include 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
Combination Education and Experience: An equivalent combination of education and experience. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. For example, 6 months of the specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education) which includes at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified above (50% of the related coursework required).

GS 07:
Experience: Must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Experience may have been in Interpretation, visitor services, resource monitoring, safety management, or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to, operational assignments, planning and execution, developing work plans, estimating materials/supplies, and employee's needs, presenting interpretive programs, conducting research; training, coaching, and mentoring others; monitoring and reporting conditions of resources. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-5 grade level in the federal service.

Education: 1 full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation or superior academic achievement. (Related fields of study include 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.)

Combination Education and Experience: An equivalent combination of education and experience, (50% of the experience requirement and 50% of the education requirement).

GS 09:
Experience: Must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level. Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Experience may have been in interpretation, communication, visitor services, facility operations, training, resource monitoring and compliance, Partner and Community Engagement, or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to, conducting scientific and historical research, applying interpretive and media technology, walks, tours, presentations, demonstrations, events, and virtual interactions, developing work schedules, compiling evaluation reports, visitor services, onboarding and orientation of new employees, safety compliance resource management, conduct workshops, track analyze and report statistics. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-7 grade level in the federal service.

Education: 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the occupation. (Related fields of study include 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.)

Combination Education and Experience: An equivalent combination of education and experience, (50% of the experience requirement and 50% of the education requirement).

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.

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

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 (month/year), and the resume must reflect either full-time or 40 hours per week. If a part-time work schedule is reflected, the hours must be annotated to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Education

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.

Additional information

Physical Demands: The work of the Ranger is indoor and outdoor work; almost all Ranger positions have some outdoor work, to a greater or lesser degree. Interpretive work is usually not strenuous, but the Ranger is required to stand and walk extensively, in some cases or inclines, sometimes carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, or other loads. Rangers engaged in fire fighting, search and rescue, and similar activities are involved in strenuous activities often lifting or carrying equipment weighing more than 50 pounds, over long distances. Rangers who participate in all-risk operations are required to meet fitness requirements on a continuing basis.

Working Conditions: The Ranger's interpretive presentations are given sometimes indoors in visitor center's or outside the park in school classrooms or community centers, and often outdoors at campgrounds or on trails, some of which are level and some of which are steep and slippery. The Ranger is subjected to bad weather, insects, and other discomforts and, in some cases, hazards of rough terrain. During emergency and all­risk operations, the work is performed at various hours of the day and night and for prolonged periods of time without rest. Rangers engaged in all-risk operations are frequently exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations which require a range of safety and other precautions.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

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.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Applicants who are eligible to be considered based on a Noncompetitive or Special Hiring Authority (i.e. Schedule A, VRA, Peace Corps, Americorp Vista, former PLC member, certain Military Spouses, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, etc.) must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.

ACWA Assessment: The Park Ranger (P), GL-0025-07 requires a written test under the Administrative Careers with America (ACWA). Shortly after the vacancy announcement closes, candidates found to meet the specialized experience may be notified via e-mail with procedures for taking an on-line test. If you fail to timely complete the written test (as instructed) or do not pass the test, you will be found not qualified for this position.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Customer Service
• Interpersonal Skills
• Interpretation
• Planning and Evaluating
• Administration and Management

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.

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

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.

If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/18/2019.

Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect either full-time or 40 hours per week. If a part-time work schedule is reflected, the hours must be annotated to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.

A complete Occupational Questionnaire

Merit Promotion Eligibility Documentation such as:

• Federal employees must submit a copy of their latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" that reflects career or career-conditional tenure, such as the initial hire, promotion, or reassignment, showing position title, series, grade and tenure (please do not submit an Award SF-50 unless it provides the necessary information) and, if different, an SF-50 showing highest permanent grade ever held.
• Veterans Preference Documentation (e.g. DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter as appropriate)
• 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.

Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:

• Veterans Preference Documentation:
  • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15 . If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives .
  • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
  • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15 , and if applicable, a completed SF15 . You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
• Performance Appraisals and Awards:
  • All applicants must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor or, if one is unavailable, a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level).
  • 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.

College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.

Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.