Duties

Increase visitor enjoyment and understanding of park resources, the National Park Service Mission, and park's enabling legislation. Conducts basic research of topics for the purpose of developing and presenting guided bus and house tours, education programs, briefings, lectures, multi-media shows, structured and impromptu talks, living history demonstrations, on- and off-site programs to schools, community groups, subject matter specialists, and special interest groups, about park resources and the rules for park usage, employing appropriate interpretive techniques and devices geared to the characteristics and interests of particular audiences. Uses audience-centered interpretive techniques as appropriate. Attends visitor center desk and performs tasks associated with the operations of front-line information center to guide visitors to resources and answer visitor questions. Other duties may include insuring that supplies, materials and other support items are available on a day-to-day basis. The Ranger's responsibilities include the maintenance of inventories, stocking, management of accountable property, management of information flow into and out of the facility, update of exhibits, and maintenance of bulletin boards and audio-visual equipment (projectors, Travelers Information Service, DVD programs).Uses social media and web to provide orientation, information, and interpretation to the public. Attend and participate in community outreach events. Work cooperatively with park partners and community-based organizations. Tracks and reports statistics including visitor use, volunteer, and interpretive programs. Researches park's natural and cultural resources, management, and administrative history. Educates staff, volunteers, and visitors regarding management, rules, and regulations of the park.

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 wear the National Park Service uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
• May be assigned to work holidays, evenings, and weekends.
• Overtime may be required.
• You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties
• Government housing is not available
• All federal employees are required to have federal payments (salary) made by direct deposit.
• 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.

Working Conditions: The Ranger's interpretive presentations are given sometimes indoors in visitor's centers 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 all risk operations, the work is performed at various hours of the day and night and for prolonged periods of time without rest.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• 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.

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  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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/06/2023:

  • 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.

  • 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 02/06/2023. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

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  • Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
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    • To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11816834

  • 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 ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to EO 14043, that requirement does not currently apply.

  Agency contact information

  Marsha Mears

  Phone

  (402) 661-1684

  Email

  marsha_mears@nps.gov

  Address

  Hot Springs National Park
  101 Reserve Street
  Hot Springs, AR 71901
  US

  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.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents