This position serves as a full-performance Park Ranger (Interpretation). The purpose of interpretation 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; and inspire social and environmental consciousness to build community and sustain the health of the planet.
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Prepare and present a variety of formal and informal interpretive programs. Coordinate special events and interpretive operations. Assist with curatorial related functions for collections or archives. Coordinate the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of black powder storage, demonstrations, and weapons-firing.
Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as permanent appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately 11 months in pay status, and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year (months ranging from late-November to late-December).
As a Park Ranger (Interpretation), the responsibilities of this position include researching, planning, and presenting a variety of interpretive programs related to Lakeshore history, environmental education, and natural and cultural resources; coordinating special events; and assisting with the training of seasonal interpretive staff.
This position serves as the Division of Interpretation & Visitor Services' Cultural Resources Lead, by: 1) serving as the park's Historic Weapons Supervisor - ensuring the park adheres to NPS.
DO #6: Interpretation and Education, and DO #50-C: Public Risk Management, and leading weapons-firings; 2) coordinating interpretive operations and special projects in two park historic districts - recruiting, training, and supervising 25-35 volunteers, procuring supplies and materials, and creating work plans; 3) monitoring objects in 12 park museum spaces - opening and closing museums on the mainland and islands, maintaining housekeeping standards, and conducting monthly climate data collection; 4) monitoring two artifact storage buildings - conducting weekly building checks, and maintaining housekeeping standards; and 5) assisting the park's Chief of Interpretation & Visitor Services with annual collection inventories, DOI Checklist assessments, accessing and maintain park data in the DOI Museum Collection Management System (MCMS), and maintaining collection loans.
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 and potentially dangerous situations which require a range of safety and other precautions. Area Information: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore include the scenic and recreational assets of over 64 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and the nearby North and South Manitou Islands.
Park features include massive sand dunes; pristine, undeveloped beaches; forested hills; quiet rivers, and secluded inland lakes; the geological history of continental glaciation; and the stories of American Indian, maritime, agriculture, and recreation history. Cultural resources include nationally recognized maritime structures and artifacts from the U.S. Lighthouse and Life-Saving Services era and a variety of cultural landscapes.
The Lakeshore contains outstanding examples of ancient glacial landforms, along with diverse natural resources in various ecosystems. High dunes form the background for some of the best examples of mature beech/maple hardwood forests in the National Park Service. Government housing is NOT available. For more information, see the parks website: www.nps.gov/SLBE
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position.
Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.
For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
This position is with National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
The posted pay range is $61722 – $80243/yr.
Applications close on 2026-10-26.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-20 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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