Park Ranger (Interpretation), GS-0025-05 Job in Ajo, Arizona US

Park Ranger (Interpretation), GS-0025-05

Experience your America by building a fulfilling career by joining the National Park Service. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired, the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. 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. The Seasonal Recruitment Operations Center is currently accepting applications to fill up to 1 temporary positions at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Appointments made under this announcement are limited to 1039 hours (six months) in a service year. Appointments may be terminated at any time and can be extended if workload and funding allow. Anticipated Entry on Duty: 05/2012 This announcement is being advertised under delegated examining procedures and is open to all U.S. citizens. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT RECEIVE FULL CONSIDERATION. KEY REQUIREMENTS U.S. Citizenship required. Background and/or Security Investigation required. Selective Service Registration if applicable. Must possess or be able to obtain state issued driver's license. Wearing a National Park Service uniform is required. DUTIES: Back to top MAJOR DUTIES: The ranger will be required to prepare and present programs throughout Pima County as part of the Junior Ranger Program. The monument has partnered with 14 county recreation centers to present programs to three groups: toddlers, youths and adults. The duties include researching, planning, preparing and presenting interpretive programs at each of the recreation centers. In addition the monument provides a major role in a partnership with other agencies to provide Outdoor Adventure Camp to 4, 5 and 6 grade students in the local community of Ajo, AZ. This is also part of the Junior Ranger outreach activities provided by the monument. The ranger may at times be asked to assist in staffing the visitor center information desk. Ranger will give out information about park facilities and recreational opportunities, provide directions, answer general questions about the monument and surrounding area, dispense free publications, and refer all questions of law and policy to appropriate park officials. Ranger will periodically need to operate the park radio, answer telephone calls, provide written responses to general inquiry letters, and distribute Division mail. Ranger will assist with Cooperating Association sales by operating the association cash register. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work involves extensive periods of standing and walking, in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines, carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, etc. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness, e.g., high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions. AREA INFORMATION: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument preserve the most northern reaches of Organ Pipe Cactus and contains the largest stands found in the United States. As a Biosphere Reserve the monument provides the public and researchers the Sonoran Desert at it's best. Camping and hiking are the two major recreational opportunities within the monument. Organ Pipe Cactus is where summer spends the winter... warm days (60s F) and chilly nights (40s F) are common during the late fall to early spring, with occasional rains. Most of our visitation happens between December and March. Consistent winter rains will produce gorgeous spring wildflowers. Early summer days are hot and dry with temperatures in the 100s and humidity below 10%. Late summer monsoons bring fantastic lighting and furious thunderstorms. Temperatures drop to 90s, however the humidity increases. Organ Pipe Cactus NM is located in southwestern Arizona in Pima County. The nearest town of Ajo, Arizona is 34 miles north of the visitor center, park housing and administrative offices. The monument has a common boundary with Mexico on the south (30 miles of shared border), the Tohono O'odham Nation on the east, the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge on the west and northwest, and Bureau of Land Management on the north. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Back to top To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate that you possess either the specialized experience or the education as described below. Equivalent combinations of experience and education may also be used to qualify. For the GS-05 grade level: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience for this position include, but are not limited to, the following: park guide or tour leader, work in a park, recreation or conservation area, environmental education, history and/or cultural resources education, and natural sciences education. Work will include independent research and presentation. -OR- B. A 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work. One year of full time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. -OR- C. Equivalent combinations of education and experience. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. In order 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 number of hours work per week. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications . ARE YOU USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Course