Summary

This is a temporary position not to exceed 1039 hours.

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

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

This job is open to

The public

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

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

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:

Provide front-line interpretation and visitor services leadership at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
Research, develop, present, and evaluate a variety of original interpretive programs, including social media posts, digital illustrated programs, guided walks, public address commentaries, talks, off-vessel activities, and children's programs. Programs and materials are innovative, thematic, meaningful, multi-disciplinary and developmentally appropriate. Audiences include social media users, primary & secondary students and teachers, both remote and in person, cruise ship & tour boat passengers, youth groups, family groups, the local community, and general park visitors.
Model best practices for seasonal interpretive staff.
Work is performed in the office and aboard a variety of ocean-going vessels, working both independently and as part of a National Park Service interpretive team.
Assignments include mentoring less experienced interpreters, staff a high profile and sometimes stressful, multi-tasked information desk on board cruise ships and tour vessels, as well as staff on-site visitor center.
Handle visitor information requests, sell publications and educational materials, and complete assigned projects.

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

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 12/22/2025 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.

Skill in communicating a challenging concept or message in writing.
Skill in managing a complex schedule, evaluating success and challenges in an operation, and setting priorities or tasks for the work group.
Skill in analyzing interpretive programs and coaching/mentoring through verbal and written feedback of observed programs.
Skill in interpersonal relations including but not limited to team building, conflict management, and coaching.
Skill in planning and delivering training for interpreters, or similar, in interpretative theory and techniques, logistics, natural and cultural history, and ecological principals.
Ability to research, develop and present to diverse audiences a variety of thematic cultural and natural history interpretive programs such as talks and guided walks.

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

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.

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 requires some physical exertion and can involve extensive periods of standing and walking, in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines outdoors or in caves, and carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, or other loads. Some employees may engage in firefighting, search and rescue, and other strenuous activities; these employees may be required to lift or carry equipment weighing more than 50 pounds over long distances. Employees who participate in all-risk operations will be required to meet fitness requirements on a continuing basis.

Working Conditions: The work can include moderate risks or discomforts that require safety precautions (e.g., exposure to extreme temperatures, climates, rough terrain, wild animals, pests, and/or insects). The incumbent may be required to use protective clothing or gear, such as masks, boots, gloves, etc. Some employees may be engaged in all-risk operations and exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations which require a range of safety and other precautions.

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.

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.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/22/2025:

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. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Also, to be eligible your resume must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the areas of consideration as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
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.

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.

How to Apply

There are multiple options for applying to this position, please see application options and instructions below:

To apply online: You must 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 12/22/2025. You must provide documentation to support your eligibility claim.

Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.

Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
- Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application"
- To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12839618
Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
- Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
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, it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

To apply via mail: Mailed applications must be postmarked by the closing date of the announcement. If applying via mail, you must include answers to the Application Questionnaire. The Application Questionnaire can be accessed via the link in the instructions above. If your application is postmarked by the closing date, it must be received in a sealed envelope no later than seven calendar days after the closing date. The seven-day waiting period may be extended if weather delays mail delivery.

Applications may be mailed to:
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Office
Attn: Human Resources
240 W. 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501

Applications must include the vacancy announcement number. If you are applying to multiple vacancy announcements, you must submit a separate application for each vacancy.

Agency contact information

HR Assistant

Phone: 907-644-3828
Email: akr_usa_staffing@nps.gov

Address: Alaska Regional Office
240 W 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
US

Next steps

If 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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