The agency just opened applications for seasonal roles across six iconic parks. Here is everything you need to know to get your application in before the deadline.
The NPS opened 200 applications for seasonal interpretive ranger roles at six sites (Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Published March 27, 2026 01:07PM
The National Park Service (NPS) just opened its job application portal for seasonal roles across six national park sites. If the ranger life is calling you, don’t snooze on submitting your resume—the window to apply closes on March 29 at 11:59 P.M. EST or once 200 people apply.
According to the job listing, the role will likely run from April to July 2026 and is “open to the first 200 applicants.” The position pays $19.52 to $31.43 per hour, excluding local cost-of-living adjustments, and requires U.S. citizenship. Outside contacted the NPS for more specific information on how many positions are available, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
The job listing states that there are many vacancies across six national park sites, including Yellowstone and Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley national parks. Other locations include Nez Perce National Historical Park in Spalding, Idaho; Pipestone National Monument in Minnesota; El Morro National Monument in New Mexico; and Fossil Butte National Monument in Wyoming.
“Interpretive Rangers develop and present educational programs including guided walks and presentations, and working with audiences in a variety of park settings,” the job listing described. Other duties include performing cashier duties, ensuring the safety of park visitors, and developing educational programs.
Seasonal rangers play an important role at all NPS sites, and are typically hired to boost staff sizes during the busy spring and summer months. In recent years, seasonal rangers have taken on an even greater importance amid the Trump administration’s deep cuts to the permanent staff employed by the NPS.
If hired, interpretive rangers may be required to live in government quarters, wear a uniform, and be available to work on-call, including weekends and holidays, and to work overtime. NPS may conduct a background check on some applications. NPS also requires certain qualifications based on the applicant’s educational or professional background.
The application requires a two-page resume, completing an assessment questionnaire, and other materials, including college transcripts or veteran documents.
Other NPS field offices may list similar positions during the hiring period. Interested parties must apply to each individual announcement to be considered.
The Trump administration placed a hold on seasonal hiring in January 2025. The following month, the NPS delivered layoff notices to approximately 1,000 workers, about five percent of its total workforce. In all, an estimated 5,000 employees working for public lands across federal agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, lost their jobs. In the wake of the mass firing, the Trump administration reversed its hiring freeze, allowing the service to hire 7,700 seasonal workers ahead of the 2025 summer rush, ABC News reported at the time.
