Summary
These positions are located in Big Cypress National Preserve, in the Education and Interpretation Division.
The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Big Cypress National Preserve is Oct - April, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: Oct 6, 2024
Open to the first 100 applicants or until 07/11/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Open to all U.S. Citizens. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles.
Duties
Any inquiries please email Lisa Andrews at Lisa_Andrews@nps.gov
Environmental Education:
October through April ranger's main duty is working in the preserve's curriculum based environmental education program with 6th grade science students from the local school district. Rangers safely manage large groups of students from diverse cultural backgrounds and a variety of learning abilities in the 5-hour field trip in the preserve. Rangers assist students with experiments and data collection in three habitats as they use scientific equipment including radio-telemetry, dip nets, water quality tests, soil samples, plant and animal identification and weather monitoring. The hike is very physically demanding while walking through swamps in knee to thigh deep water, heat, humidity, mosquitoes, uneven footing, heavy lifting and long periods of standing. Rangers present short interpretive talks, safety briefings and are responsible for time and group management during the field trip. They clean, repair, stock, inventory and maintain all supplies and equipment, trail and EE center and operate preserve radios when necessary. Rangers present the pre-site power-point program and review logistics with teachers in the classroom before each field trip. Rangers assist in the facilitation of a variety of teacher workshops including Project Wild. Rangers revise and develop a variety of age-appropriate teaching materials including lesson plans, activities, videos and web pages that correlate to school curriculum, State and National Science Standards. Rangers work closely with volunteers, interns, seasonal and permanent employees.
Outreach Duties:
Rangers research, develop and present a variety of original, thematic interpretive programs to special interest and school groups of all ages in the preserve and in nearby communities. Programs include wet walks in the swamp, canoe/kayak and bike trips, boardwalk tours, power point presentations, Dark Sky programs, classroom and auditorium talks. These programs can be very strenuous and involve long hours of walking on uneven terrain, standing, sitting or riding off-road in a harsh environment. Heavy lifting is required. Experience with paddling, water safety, bike maintenance backcountry navigation and astronomy is necessary. Participate in and facilitate a variety of on and off-site festivals and special events partnering with environmental agencies, visitor bureaus, Astronomy Societies, etc. Create a variety of interpretive media including exhibits, posters, articles, information sheets and program flyers. Assist in training new employees, interns and volunteers. Judge regional science fairs.
Handle information requests, perform monthly GOV maintenance, identify and report safety issues.
Requirements
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 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.
- You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
- Must have the ability to converse fluently in Spanish Language (in addition to English) that allows you to communicate information verbally to visitors on the spot.
- Must have the ability to swim and rescue oneself and ability to perform canoe and kayak self-rescue (rescue oneself and re-enter a canoe and kayak without help from others, or use of land or a dock), and be able to direct trip participants with rescue techniques.
- Must have the ability to paddle canoes and kayaks in water subject to windy conditions, challenging maneuverability, changing water levels, underwater obstacles and tidal currents, and carry unwieldy items, and lift heavy loads.
- Must have the ability to ride mountain bikes on off-road terrain with obstacles for long periods of time and to perform routine bike maintenance-repair flat tire, tighten break lines and adjust bikes to fit participants safely and comfortably-in the field and without support.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/11/2024-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 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 hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
SELECTIVE FACTOR: In addition to standard interpretation qualifications listed below the applicant must have the following:
- Must have the ability to converse fluently in Spanish Language (in addition to English) that allows you to communicate information verbally to visitors on the spot (PLEASE SHOW ON YOUR RESUME THAT YOU HAVE THIS ABILITY OR YOU WILL RECEIVE NO FURTHER CONSIDERATION)
- Must have the ability to swim and rescue oneself and ability to perform canoe and kayak self-rescue (rescue oneself and re-enter a canoe and kayak without help from others, or use of land or a dock), and be able to direct trip participants with rescue techniques. (PLEASE SHOW ON YOUR RESUME THAT YOU HAVE THIS ABILITY OR YOU WILL RECEIVE NO FURTHER CONSIDERATION)
- Must have the ability to paddle canoes and kayaks in water subject to windy conditions, challenging maneuverability, changing water levels, underwater obstacles and tidal currents, and carry unwieldy items, and lift heavy loads. (PLEASE SHOW ON YOUR RESUME THAT YOU HAVE THIS ABILITY OR YOU WILL RECEIVE NO FURTHER CONSIDERATION)
- Must have the ability to ride mountain bikes on off-road terrain with obstacles for long periods of time and to perform routine bike maintenance-repair flat tire, tighten break lines and adjust bikes to fit participants safely and comfortably-in the field and without support. (PLEASE SHOW ON YOUR RESUME THAT YOU HAVE THIS ABILITY OR YOU WILL RECEIVE NO FURTHER CONSIDERATION)
Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.
- AND -
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 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-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: 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. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 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, archaeology, 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). You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take education percentage. 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.
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.
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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. 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 assessments required for this position. 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 will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:
- Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
- Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
- Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
- Education and Training
- Interpersonal Skills
- Interpretation
- Oral Communication
- Technology Application
- Writing
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/11/2024:
- 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 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 hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
- Complete All Required Assessments.
- 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.
- Documentation that you meet all 3 selective factors.
- 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.
How to Apply
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/11/2024. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
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- Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
- Review and Submit Application.
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- You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
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Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
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