Supervisory Park Ranger

Summary

This position is located in the Division of Interpretation and serves as the Deputy Chief at Independence National Historical Park responsible for strategic recruitment and retention efforts for a large and complex work group. The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of Interpretation and is responsible for the management of a complex operation of interpretation, visitor services, and education programming across the park with a focus on program development, program evaluation, and coaching.

Duties

Serves as the Deputy Chief of Interpretation at Independence National Historical Park, Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, and Thaddeus Kosciusko National Memorial by planning, directing, managing, staffing, and evaluating all personal interpretive and education services and activities either directly or through subordinate staff.

The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of Interpretation is responsible for the management of a complex operation of interpretation, visitor services, and education programming across the three parks with a focus on program development, program evaluation, and coaching. The incumbent also manages staff training and professional development and ensures the workgroup is respectful, inclusive, safe, and engaged through both administrative efforts (recruitment, hiring, staff support) and public programming.

This position has oversight of daily operations and visitor services. The Deputy Chief directly supervises two key positions, the Operations Supervisor and the Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator and periodically supervisors several support staff. The incumbent has indirect responsibility for several Supervisory Park Rangers and permanent/ temporary Park Rangers, Park Guides, and an Administrative Support Assistant, as well as Volunteers-in-Parks.

Participates as an active member of the Interpretation Leadership Team in establishing or implementing policy, evaluating division operations, and implementing changes based on findings; recommending management directions, priorities, goals, and objectives and methods of aligning with and accomplishing them; preparing a wide range of reports; and determining issues to be addressed and methods for managing issue-specific actions. Uses professionally vetted and relevant studies in monitoring the preferences and needs of the audiences and populations served through personal interpretive activities and products.

Coordinates management of the multi-million-dollar field operations budget. Analyzes data from a variety of sources and collaborates in the development of budget strategies, allocates fiscal resources based on visitation and resource issues and needs; and ensures the efficient, effective, and accountable use of funds consistent with park and division priorities.

Exercises the full scope of supervisory responsibilities for a large and diverse staff. Directs, guides, and mentors five or more subordinate supervisors in the performance of supervisory, human resources, and employee relations functions.

Coordinates community engagement programming manages the parkwide volunteer program (through subordinate staff) and other partner-related activities related to personal interpretive services and visitor experience.

Park Ranger Interpreter: The employees of the National Park Service care for special places that are the heritage of all Americans. Since its inception in 1916, the National Park Service has been dedicated to the preservation and management of this country's outstanding natural, historical, and recreational resources. 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.

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