Exciting Career Opportunity: Park Ranger (GS-07) at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

If you possess a deep commitment to natural resource protection, community education, and public service, an exceptional federal career opportunity awaits you in coastal Massachusetts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), an operating bureau of the Department of the Interior, is actively recruiting for a Park Ranger (GS-07) at the acclaimed Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Offering a competitive salary of $57,150 to $74,297 per year, this position serves as a vital bridge between the public and federal conservation efforts. Whether you are managing entrance fee systems, guiding seasonal staff, delivering environmental educational talks, or safeguarding fragile wildlife habitats, this role puts you on the front lines of public lands stewardship.

About the Agency & Work Location

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to work alongside partners to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their natural habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Situated along Plum Island in Newburyport, Massachusetts, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 4,700 acres of diverse coastal habitats, including salt marshes, maritime forests, barrier beaches, and freshwater impoundments. Established in 1942 as a vital stopover for migratory waterfowl along the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge draws hundreds of thousands of nature lovers, bird watchers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts every year.

Core Duties & Key Responsibilities

As a GS-07 Park Ranger, your everyday work environment will blend administrative coordination, customer engagement, operational leadership, and field oversight. Major duties include:

Entrance Station & Fee Management: Lead fee collection operations at the refuge entrance. Manage cash register operations, credit card readers, pass issuance, opening and closing procedures, and daily account reconciliation in strict adherence to federal standards.
Team Leadership & Scheduling: Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise up to three annual seasonal fee collectors along with numerous year-round volunteers. Maintain schedules, delegate tasks, and provide ongoing guidance.
Data Reporting & Financial Accountability: Prepare monthly fee transmittals, track pass inventories, manage database entries for accountable stock, and audit records to resolve accounting discrepancies.
Public Engagement & Visitor Services: Serve as the primary point of contact for visitors. Provide precise information regarding local wildlife, recreational opportunities, refuge policies, safety warnings, and temporary closures.
Educational Programming: Design, develop, and present engaging educational talks and orientation sessions highlighting local natural, cultural, and historic resources.
Crowd & Traffic Management: Direct traffic and control visitor density during high-volume periods. Coordinate closely with Refuge Law Enforcement officers to ensure public safety and wildlife habitat protection.
Facility Maintenance Support: Inspect public facilities for safety hazards, assist with beach and trail cleanups, execute minor repairs, and collaborate with maintenance personnel.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet basic federal eligibility standards as well as specific education or experience criteria by the job closing date.

General Eligibility

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
Background Clearance: Satisfactory completion of a background investigation and suitability adjudication.
Driver's License: Possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered.
Probationary Period: Must successfully complete a 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period.

Qualifying Education and Experience Pathways

Candidates can qualify for the GS-07 grade level through one of four primary pathways:

Qualification Pathway	Requirements Breakdown
Specialized Experience	At least 1 full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Must demonstrate experience handling funds/credit processing, supervising volunteers/interns, delivering public educational programs, maintaining facilities, and managing visitor relations under pressure.
Graduate Education	1 full academic year of graduate-level education in natural resource management, earth sciences, anthropology, park and recreation management, social sciences, or public administration.
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA)	Bachelor's degree in a directly related discipline PLUS one of the following: (1) Upper third class standing; (2) GPA of 3.0+ overall or 3.5+ in major; or (3) Membership in a national scholastic honor society.
Combination	A percentage-based combination of qualifying specialized experience and relevant graduate education totaling at least 100%.

Salary Structure & Performance Progression

The position is graded at GS-07, offering a base pay range of $57,150 to $74,297 per year. First-time federal hires are generally placed at Step 1 of the GS-07 pay table. Step increases occur periodically based on satisfactory performance and longevity.

While promotion potential beyond GS-07 is not automatic for this specific position, serving as a full-time federal Park Ranger builds essential competencies that prepare professionals for higher-level leadership roles (GS-09, GS-11, and beyond) within the Department of the Interior.

Comprehensive Federal Benefits

Employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enjoy a complete compensation package that extends far beyond base pay:

Health & Wellness: Choose from multiple nationwide plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, with optional Dental (FEDVIP) and Vision coverage.
Retirement Planning: Full coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension, alongside the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) featuring immediate dollar-for-dollar agency matching up to 3% and 50% on the next 2%.
Paid Time Off: Earn 13 to 26 days of paid annual leave per year (based on length of service), 13 days of paid sick leave annually, and 11 paid federal holidays.
Uniform & Telework: Annual official uniform allowance provided. Telework option available upon supervisory approval.
Incentives: Recruitment or relocation incentives may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Essential Application Tips & Resume Guidelines

To ensure your application is reviewed successfully, follow these critical rules:

Strict 2-Page Resume Limit: Your resume MUST NOT exceed two single-sided pages. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be rejected without review. Use a minimum font size of 10-point and maintain 0.5-inch margins on all sides.
Specify Hours Worked: For every position listed on your resume, clearly state your start and end dates (Month/Year format) and exact hours worked per week (e.g., "40 hours/week"). Failing to include hours worked will prevent proper credit for specialized experience.
Complete USA Hire Assessments: Following your initial application submission, you will receive a unique link to take the USA Hire Assessment. Allocate up to 3 uninterrupted hours to complete this cognitive and competency testing standard.
Attach Transcripts: If you are qualifying using graduate education or Superior Academic Achievement, you must submit legible copies of your college transcripts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the closing date for this position?
A: Applications must be fully submitted via USAJOBS by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on October 30, 2026.

Q: Can I submit an award SF-50 to prove my time-in-grade?
A: No. Award SF-50s are not accepted. Current or former federal employees must submit a non-award SF-50 (such as a Promotion or Within-Grade Increase) verifying tenure, grade, and work schedule.

Q: Are there physical demands associated with this job?
A: Yes. Duties require standing for extended periods, walking over sandy or uneven terrain, bending, and light-to-moderate lifting. Work is conducted both indoors and outdoors in varied weather conditions.

How to Apply

Ready to begin your journey as a Federal Park Ranger? Submit your completed application, tailored 2-page resume, and transcripts directly through the official federal portal today!

Why This Park Ranger Job Matters

Step into a rewarding career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Park Ranger at the picturesque Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, MA!

Park Ranger Job Overview

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a qualified, highly motivated Park Ranger (GS-07) for Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This position offers a starting salary between $57,150 and $74,297 per year. As a frontline ambassador, you will oversee entrance gatehouse fee operations, recruit and supervise seasonal fee collectors and volunteers, deliver engaging educational programs, and protect public safety across vulnerable coastal habitats.

Requirements for Park Ranger

U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National status is required.
Must undergo and pass a background investigation and security adjudication.
Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Selective Service registration required for male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
Direct deposit participation and E-Verify clearance are mandatory.
Required to wear the official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform (uniform allowance provided).
Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and evening schedules as needed.
Subject to a mandatory 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period upon appointment.

Preferred Qualifications for Park Ranger

One year of GS-05 level specialized experience in cash handling, fee reconciliation, public engagement, leading interns/volunteers, and delivering educational programs.
OR completion of 1 full academic year of graduate-level education in natural resource management, earth sciences, anthropology, park/recreation management, or public administration.
OR Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) with a Bachelor's degree in a related field (top 1/3 class ranking, 3.0+ overall GPA, or honor society membership).
OR an equivalent combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized work experience.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program with comprehensive health care coverage options.
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching up to 5%.
✓Paid annual leave, accrued sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
✓Official uniform allowance.
✓Telework eligibility as authorized by agency policy and supervisor approval.
✓Potential recruitment or relocation financial incentives.

💡 How to Apply Park Ranger Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Park Ranger Job

Review the job announcement thoroughly and confirm your eligibility status.
Prepare a tailored, professional resume strictly limited to 2 pages.
Gather supporting documents such as transcripts, SF-50s, DD-214s, or performance appraisals.
Click the online application link to access USA Staffing and complete the questionnaire.
Submit your complete application package before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date.
Follow the prompt to access and complete the online USA Hire Assessment within the established deadline.

💡 General Tips

Strict Resume Length Limit: Your resume MUST NOT exceed 2 single-sided pages. Format using at least a 10-point font and 0.5-inch margins. Excess pages will result in immediate disqualification.
Detail Work Hours: Expressly state whether your past employment was full-time (40 hours/week) or part-time (including exact hours worked per week) to ensure proper credit for specialized experience.
Complete USA Hire Promptly: Block out up to 3 quiet hours to complete the USA Hire competency evaluation as soon as you submit your application package.
Transcripts Matter: If relying on education or Superior Academic Achievement to qualify, submit unofficial or official transcripts showing your major, GPA, and graduation date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pay scale and starting salary for this Park Ranger position?

This position is classified at the GS-07 level with an annual base salary ranging from $57,150 to $74,297.

Is telework available for this role?

Yes. The duties of this position are suitable for telework, which may be authorized by the supervisor based on operational needs.

Where is the job location?

The primary work station is located at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

What are the strict resume formatting rules?

Resumes must not exceed 2 single-sided pages, must use at least 10-point font, and must maintain 0.5-inch margins on all sides. Resumes exceeding 2 pages will be rejected automatically.

Is weekend or holiday work required?

Yes. Park Rangers at wildlife refuges frequently work weekends, holidays, and evenings during peak public visitation periods.

Park Ranger Job

U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service