1

Interpretive Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Historic Site Manager

Angleton, TX · On-site

$31.20 - $35.11/hr

... interpretive ranger who reports directly to the Superintendent. This position will also be the lead for coordinating and scheduling park volunteers to help with all SFA-Munson Park events, both on ...

Historic Site Manager

Angleton, TX · On-site

$31.20 - $35.11/hr

... interpretive ranger who reports directly to the Superintendent. This position will also be the lead for coordinating and scheduling park volunteers to help with all SFA-Munson Park events, both on ...

New

Park Ranger 3

Saint Paul, OR · On-site

$4.3K - $6.5K/wk

Experience developing, coordinating, evaluating, and presenting interpretive content and special events to school students, visitors, and the public. * Proficient in all duties of a Park Ranger such ...

PARK RANGER - 37001154 1 Position Number: 37001154 Salary: $2,896.67 month/$34,760.00 annual ... Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via presentations, walks ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Interpretive Ranger information

See salary details

$24.5K

$40.4K

$52.5K

How much do interpretive ranger jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for interpretive ranger in the United States is $40,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $45,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Interpretive Ranger, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Interpretive Ranger, you need a background in natural sciences, history, or education, often with a relevant degree or experience in park services. Familiarity with interpretive techniques, educational programming tools, and reservation or visitor management systems is important. Outstanding communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills help engage diverse audiences and foster stewardship. These abilities are essential for effectively educating visitors, enhancing their experience, and supporting conservation goals.

What are interpretive rangers and what do they do?

Interpretive rangers are National Park Service employees who educate visitors about the natural, cultural, and historical significance of parks and public lands. They lead guided tours, present educational programs, create informative displays, and answer questions to help enhance visitor understanding and appreciation. Their work aims to foster a connection between visitors and the resources being protected, encouraging stewardship and responsible enjoyment of public spaces.

What are some common challenges Interpretive Rangers face when engaging diverse visitor groups?

Interpretive Rangers often encounter the challenge of connecting with visitors from varied backgrounds, ages, and interests. Tailoring programs and communication styles to ensure information is accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyone can require creativity and adaptability. Additionally, managing large groups or addressing language barriers may arise, making flexibility and strong interpersonal skills essential. Many rangers find that ongoing training and collaboration with colleagues help them to continually improve their outreach and educational efforts.

What is the difference between Interpretive Ranger vs Park Guide?

AspectInterpretive RangerPark Guide
Required CredentialsTypically requires a degree in environmental education, biology, or related field; certifications in interpretive techniques are common.Often requires a high school diploma or equivalent; certifications may include CPR or first aid, but less formal education needed.
Work EnvironmentPublic parks, national and state parks, visitor centers, often involved in educational programs and conservation efforts.Tourist sites, parks, outdoor attractions; focuses on guiding visitors and providing information.
Employer & Industry UsageFederal, state, and local parks; government agencies; educational institutions.Private tour companies, parks, outdoor recreation businesses.

While both roles involve outdoor work and visitor interaction, Interpretive Rangers focus on education, conservation, and interpretive programs, often requiring specialized knowledge and certifications. Park Guides primarily focus on guiding tours and providing visitor information, with less emphasis on formal education credentials.

More about Interpretive Ranger jobs
What cities are hiring for Interpretive Ranger jobs? Cities with the most Interpretive Ranger job openings:
What states have the most Interpretive Ranger jobs? States with the most job openings for Interpretive Ranger jobs include:
Infographic showing various Interpretive Ranger job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Full Time, 82% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,350 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Supervisory Park Ranger (Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management)

Contact Us - National Parks of New York Harbor (U.S. National Park Service)

Nancy, KY • On-site

$74K/yr

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

This position is located in Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, in the Division of Interpretation, Education, Volunteers, and Resource Management.Qualifications:Requirements Continued...
  • 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, overtime and shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home. 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.
  • The position to which you will be appointed is subject to a financial disclosure reporting requirement and you will be required to complete a new entrant Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of your appointment.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-06/25/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.
For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
To qualify for this position at the GS-11 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-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: serving as the lead interpretive ranger, coordinating/directing interpretive programs, overseeing day-to-day operations of a visitor center, researching and developing and presenting a wide variety of interpretive programs; researching, writing, designing and developing interpretive media; planning, implementing and following through on special interpretive events, projects or programs; and assisting with cultural and natural resources protection. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field related to the occupation such as natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, anthropology, park and recreation management; law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, or sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resource. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 36 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then, take the number of months of experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts and hours worked on your resume.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2). This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).Education:To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.Employment Type: OTHER