Job opening: Park Ranger (Interpretation)
Salary: $39 993 - 64 405 per year
Relocation: YES
Published at: Oct 23 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
The purpose of these positions is to enrich people's lives through meaningful experiences and enjoyable recreation, preserve and protect natural and cultural resources through broad collaboration and shared stewardship.
The full performance level (FPL) of the target position that the Recent Graduate can be non-competitively promoted to is a GS-9.
For more information, please contact David Krueger at
[email protected].
Duties
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Create education and interpretation programs that share the important resource and cultural heritage stories of Valles Caldera to students of every educational level and visitors of all age ranges.
Work with educators and organizations to develop standards-based education programs.
Deliver education programs to a variety of school groups in classrooms, in the park, and via distance learning platforms.
Research teaching techniques to incorporate into education programs and stay current on the latest education trends and techniques.
Support Park operations through visitor service operations and providing ranger-guided programs.
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.
Work Environment: 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 be exposed to high risk of potentially dangerous situations which requires a range of safety and other precautions.
Area Information: Located in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, the 89,000-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve encompasses a 13-mile-wide dormant volcanic caldera. Its distinct topographic mosaic of expansive valley meadows, lush forested volcanic domes, meandering valley streams, and old-growth ponderosa pine groves are in striking contrast to the arid New Mexico landscapes at lower elevations. The park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Park headquarters is located in the village of Jemez Springs, and the park is located halfway between Jemez Springs and the town of Los Alamos. Work area elevation ranges from 6,200 feet to 11,257 feet. Summer temperatures can range from the 30s to the 80s (Fahrenheit). Winter temperatures can drop well below zero. Snowfall occurs generally from November to as late as May. The closest communities with schools and services are Rio Rancho, Jemez Springs, and Los Alamos. The nearest airports are in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Housing rentals range from $1,200-$3,000 for a two-bedroom/two-bathroom place. Housing prices range from $300,000 to $750,000 for a two-bedroom/two-bathroom home.
For more information, see the parks website: www.nps.gov/VALL
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/29/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's Federal General Schedule Qualification Standards.
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes creating education or interpretive programs; delivering programs to an audience; scheduling programs; or participating in community events. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four (4) years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work. Related fields of study include natural resource management, natural sciences, ecology, biology, geology, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, social sciences, museum sciences, geography, English or other languages, behavioral sciences, sociology, education, or communication. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes creating education programs; creating interpretive programs based on park themes; delivering education and interpretation programs; coordinating programs; providing virtual programs; developing training courses; or participating in community events. You must include hours per week worked.
OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of one (1) full academic year of graduate education related to the position. Related fields of study include natural resource management, natural sciences, ecology, biology, geology, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, social sciences, museum sciences, geography, English or other languages, behavioral sciences, sociology, education, or communication (one year of full-time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours). You must include transcripts.
-OR-
SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (S.A.A.): Must meet the criteria for the S.A.A., as evidenced by one of the three following methods: 1) in the upper third of graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; 2) have a GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in my major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; or 3) a member in one of the national scholastic honor societies. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.
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 qualified specialized experience.
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.
You will NOT be considered under Pathways unless you provide supporting information from your school. Documentation may be provided in letter format from your academic advisor, school counselor, admission office, etc. to prove enrollment OR it may be provided in the form of several official documents from your school such as a copy of your official transcripts and a copy of your class schedule for next semester. Copies of documents from your school website are acceptable if they contain all relevant information as listed above. Letters from advisors or other school officials must be on school letterhead.
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.
Contacts
- Address Valles Caldera National Preserve
90 VILLA LOUIS MARTIN
JEMEZ SPRINGS, NM 87025
US
- Name: Julie Ortiz
- Email: [email protected]
Map