Regional Director, Northeast Job in Philadelphia, PA

Vacancy No. WO-1614-SESO-26-12935121 Department National Park Service
Salary $197,200.00 to $228,000.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/13/2026 Close Date 4/27/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Philadelphia, PA


Summary

The National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Region encompasses 86 parks spanning from Maine to Virginia. The region contains one-third of all NPS museum collections, one-fourth of all historic structures, and nearly half of the country's National Historic Landmarks, showcasing an exceptionally rich American heritage.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Senior executives

Individuals looking for an executive-level job and who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

The Regional Director is responsible for the oversight of parks, strategy formulation, advocacy for parks, allocation and management of fiscal and human resources, and the development and interpretation of policies. The Regional Director manages park superintendents, including one SES Superintendent, deputy and associate regional directors, full-time and seasonal staff and volunteers in a variety of disciplines. Responsibilities include:

  • Ensures proper interpretation and execution of NPS programs, and establishes policies and procedures for their effective direction, operation, and evaluation within their jurisdiction.
  • Manages programs related to interpretation, education, use, development, protection, construction, land acquisition, maintenance, and environmental quality. These programs maintain standards in engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, history, archaeology, forestry, and natural sciences.
  • Sets program priorities, oversees budget and personnel to meet NPS legislative goals. These programs have local, national, and international significance.
  • Collaborates with tribes, local communities, states, and international partners on regional issues. Manages major public-partnership projects and programs. Informs the public about NPS missions, achievements, and activities.
  • Develops partnerships with not-for-profit organizations, friends groups, park partnerships, youth programs and business schools. Provides direction to parks to establish and grow strong partnerships and community relations; and supports park and program public affairs, media, and digital communications strategy and messaging.
  • Manages through partnerships and cooperators allied programs that complement the direct line programs of the parks and NPS (Rivers and Trails, etc.)
  • Leads civic engagement initiatives, promoting public involvement and dialog in key planning, interpretation, education, and preservation issues.
  • Provides support for heritage areas and the development of NPS heritage area programs.
  • Manages the protection of park resources, provides oversight for visitor and community services. This responsibility involves the enforcement of applicable laws and the preservation of natural and cultural resources.
  • Leads civic engagement initiatives, promoting public involvement and dialog in key planning, interpretation, education, and preservation issues.
  • Provides support for heritage areas and the development of NPS heritage area programs.
  • Manages the protection of park resources, provides oversight for visitor and community services. This responsibility involves the enforcement of applicable laws and the preservation of natural and cultural resources.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  1. U.S. Citizenship
  2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position (Tier 5, critical sensitive -with TS, if needed).
  3. This position may require pre and post-employment drug screening.
  4. Newly appointed SES members must serve a 1-year probationary period.
  5. Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required)
  6. Selections are subject to Department approval. Initial appointments to the SES must undergo an ECQ based structured interview with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for SES certification.
  7. Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirements. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
  8. Agencies must request OPM approval to appoint current or former (within 5 years) Executive Branch political appointees (political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES) to permanent competitive service, non-political excepted service, or career SES position. You must disclose political appointments held to the Human Resources Office.

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a two-page resume (max) that shows you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the two Technical Qualifications (TQs). To be considered, only the first 2 pages of your resume will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

Technical Qualifications (TQs) are designed to assess an applicant's experience relevant to the specific position requirements. Your resume should clearly demonstrate your experience and accomplishments related to the two TQs below:

1. Experience and expert knowledge in managing complex partnerships with local, state, and national organizations (both government and non-government, including elected officials and special interest groups).

2. Demonstrated ability to manage complex land management programs that typically extend and apply to an entire organization or major components of an organization. This includes experience in most of these areas: natural/cultural resource management and protection, law enforcement and emergency services, wildland fire management, employee and visitor safety, commercial services, facility maintenance, construction management, recreation management, resource education and interpretation, and environmental compliance.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Your two-page resume should also show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications listed below.

By statute, the Office of Personnel Management prescribes ECQs for the appointment of career SES members. The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and not technical expertise. See https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/
for the ECQ definitions.

ECQ 1-Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2 - Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3 - Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4 - Leading People: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5 - Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors

Qualifications will be evaluated based on how clearly and concisely you emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of your programs; services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of your actions taken. Typically experience will have been gained at the GS-15 or equivalent in the private sector or non-governmental organizations.

Already SES Certified? If you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the Senior Executive Service, or have completed a Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SES CDP) approved by OPM, you only need to submit a two-page resume and personnel action showing you have held a career SES position. SES CDP graduates must submit a two-page resume and a copy of your QRB certification.

Education

This position does not have an educational qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • SES does not have Veteran's Preference and time in grade restrictions. Competitive status is not required.
  • Individuals selected for Senior Executive Service positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines.
  • The Department of the Interior structures its SES positions into categories to determine the minimum pay for each position. This is a category 2 position, the pay range is $197,200-$228,000.
  • Annual pay increases and recognition, if applicable, are based on performance in the SES.
  • A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
  • A relocation incentive may be authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS), to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record is currently located, due to a need of the NPS.
  • 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.

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.

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 on the quality and extent of your accomplishments and experience. ECQs and TQs must be demonstrated within your two-page resume. Applicants who do not demonstrate sufficient possession of the ECQs and TQs will be determined ineligible for further consideration. If you meet the basic qualifications and eligibility requirements, a panel of SES members will evaluate your resume and determine the degree to which you possess each of the listed qualifications. The highest qualified applicants will be considered for one or more interviews.

If the selectee does not have Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), he/she will be required to undergo an ECQ based structured interview with OPM for SES appointment approval.

Required Documents

Please upload the following documents:

  • Resume (not to exceed two pages).If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
    • We highly recommend that you DO NOT use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to create your resume.
  • If current or former Federal employee, submit SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (or equivalent ); please do not send an SF-50 for an award.
  • Transcripts to meet the educational requirement.
  • Strongly Recommended: Performance Evaluation (not more than 2 years old)
  • If you are already SES Certified but have NOT held a career SES position, please upload your OPM QRB SES certification.

How to Apply

You must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

  1. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to log in or create an account.
    1. Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
    2. Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application
  2. Add your two-page resume.
  3. Select the documents you want to be included in this application.
  4. Review the package to acknowledge that your documents were reviewed.
  5. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
  6. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
  7. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
    • Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
  8. Review and Submit Application.
  9. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
  10. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement. To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job. Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So you must select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Agency contact information

Sharon Benitez
Phone
771-215-6605
Email
sharon_benitez@ios.doi.gov
Address
Senior Executive Service Office
1849 C Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
US

Next steps

The Department of the Interior will conduct a qualifications evaluation of applicants who supply all of the required material. Qualified applicants will be rated and ranked by an executive-level rating panel. Highly qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome after the completion of the selection process.

National Park Service

Agency contact information

Sharon Benitez
Phone
771-215-6605
Email
sharon_benitez@ios.doi.gov
Address
Senior Executive Service Office
1849 C Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
US

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