Summary This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Park Service, Midwest Region, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, in Empire, Michigan. For more information on the position, please contact Merrith Baughman at [email protected]. Responsibilities Prepare and present a variety of formal and informal interpretive programs. Oversee and monitor a park wide volunteer program that is in line with Department of Interior Volunteer Policy. Serve as a liaison with volunteer-based park partners; and communicating across park divisions in all aspects of volunteer supervision. Implement a park wide volunteer program by recruiting volunteers and interns, creating and maintaining VIP training and orientation program, managing the program's budgetary process, preparing annual reports, monitor program effectiveness, coordinate the recognition of volunteers. 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 also serves as the park's Volunteer (VIP) Coordinator, overseeing and monitoring a dynamic program that aligns with Department of the Interior Volunteer Policy; serving as a liaison with volunteer-based park partners; and communicating across park divisions on all aspects of volunteer supervision. Responsibilities include recruiting park volunteers and interns; creating and maintaining multiple VIP training and orientation programs (including new VIP orientation, VIP refresher training, and training for VIP supervisors); managing the program's budget processes; preparing annual reports; developing and maintaining a program monitoring system to track and analyze VIP program effectiveness; and coordinating volunteer recognition efforts. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work from approximately 10.5 months in pay status, and you will be in a non-pay status (about a 1.5 months - Mid-November to Late-December) for the remainder of the year. 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 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 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. You may be required to travel overnight away from home for training. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. Additional Requirements located under Qualifications - Qualifications Requirements Continued - As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one (1) year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-06/05/2026-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-9 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (ob
