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Park Ranger Interpretation Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

$40K - $80K/yr

Summary This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Interpretation, Education and Visitor Services, Fort Davis, TX. Learn ...

Park Ranger Interpretation information

See Texas salary details

$11

$19

$36

How much do park ranger interpretation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for park ranger interpretation in Texas is $19.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $19.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a park ranger interpretation?

Park Ranger Interpretation roles focus on educating and engaging visitors about the natural, historical, and cultural resources within parks. These rangers create and lead interpretive programs, such as guided hikes, talks, and exhibits, to help visitors understand and appreciate the area. They also answer questions, provide information, and promote stewardship of the environment. Their work is essential in fostering a connection between the public and protected natural spaces.

How do park ranger interpretation roles collaborate with educators and local communities?

Park Ranger Interpreters frequently work alongside educators, community groups, and local organizations to develop and deliver educational programs that foster appreciation for natural and cultural resources. Collaboration often includes hosting school field trips, organizing community events, and tailoring interpretive talks or tours to specific audiences. By building these partnerships, Park Rangers help ensure that conservation messages are accessible and engaging, while also strengthening ties between the park and surrounding communities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a park ranger interpretation, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Park Ranger in Interpretation, you need a background in natural resources, environmental education, or related fields, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications. Familiarity with interpretive planning tools, educational program development, and sometimes GIS or presentation software is typically required. Exceptional communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills help engage diverse audiences and foster conservation awareness. These skills and qualities are vital for effectively educating the public, promoting stewardship, and enhancing visitor experiences in parks.

How to become an interpretive park ranger?

To become an interpretive park ranger, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions preferring or requiring a college degree in environmental science, education, or a related field. Relevant skills include communication, public speaking, and knowledge of natural or cultural resources; certifications in first aid or CPR can be beneficial. Applicants often go through a competitive hiring process that may include written exams, interviews, and background checks, and they usually need to pass a physical fitness test due to outdoor work conditions.

What are popular job titles related to Park Ranger Interpretation jobs in Texas?

For Park Ranger Interpretation jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Park Ranger Interpretation jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Park Ranger Interpretation jobs in Texas are:

Infographic showing various Park Ranger Interpretation job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,040 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Park Ranger (Interpretation)

National Park Service

Johnson City, TX • On-site, Remote

$41K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


National Park Service rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 98 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

130th of 295 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Summary
You will serve as a Park Ranger (Interpretation) with the National Park Service.
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 a maximum of 50 weeks, and you will be in a non-pay status for approximately 1 pay period (2 weeks) in the service year.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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At the full performance level (GS-09) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
  • You will be the Volunteer program coordinator for Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
  • Develop and present a variety of programs including guided walks, illustrated talks (PowerPoint amphitheater and campfire programs) and demonstrations.
  • Develop programs using principles of the NPS thematic interpretation model through topic research, familiarity with and creative use of delivery techniques.
  • Provide informal interpretation and orientation for park guests in visitor centers, ranger stations and while roving in the field.
  • Perform cashier duties and assist with a variety of special projects to support park goals.
  • Actively promote the safety of park visitors and stewardship of park resources in all interactions, and potentially serve as the initial contact for accident reporting and emergency assistance

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
  • You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
  • You may be required to occasionally travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
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.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/01/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized 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 periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. 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.
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level:
  • Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following: Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. Your resume must include hours worked per week to receive credit for your specialized experience, or you will be found not qualified and removed from consideration for this position. -OR-
  • Education: Successful completion of at least a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work in a major study such as: 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. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience described in A above (50% of the experience requirement), and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education) which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified in B above (50% of the related coursework required). PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level:
  • Specialized Experience Requirement: You must possess one year of specialized experience from the public or private sector, equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following: Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. Your resume must include hours worked per week to receive credit for your specialized experience, or you will be found not qualified and removed from consideration for this position. -OR-
  • Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate study in one of the following fields: natural resource management, natural sciences, marine biology/sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, wetlands ecology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. (One year of graduate education is 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours). PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection. -OR-
  • Superior Academic Achievement: Grade point average of B (a G.P.A. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 years of undergraduate study; A grade-point average of B+ (a G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses you completed in the last two years; Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; or Membership in National Honor Societies. NOTE: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate coursework (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an Honor Society. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, first determine the percentage of experience held by dividing the number of months of qualifying full-time experience possessed by 12 and then multiplying by 100. Then determine the percentage of qualifying graduate level education completed by dividing the number of credits completed by 18, then multiply by 100. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection.

Education
QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED:
To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level:
  • Specialized experience requirement: You mustpossess one year of specialized experience from the public or private sector, equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following: Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. Your resume must include hours worked per week to receive credit for your specialized experience, or you will be found not qualified and removed from consideration for this position. -OR-
  • Education: Successful completion of two years of graduate level study which is directly related to the work of the position. Examples of related education include but are not limited to; natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Two years of graduate study is considered to be 36 semester hours. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, first determine the percentage of experience held by dividing the number of months of qualifying full time experience possessed by 12 and then multiplying by 100. Then determine the percentage of qualifying graduate level education completed by dividing the number of credits completed by 36, then multiply by 100. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection.

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; religiou

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