Summary

This position serves as the Superintendent for three (3) separate areas: New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River, and will be duty-stationed in Glen Jean, West Virginia.

This position is also open to status candidates under announcement NE-4783-NERI-[redacted]1-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

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As the Park Manager (Superintendent) you will perform the following duties:

1. Direct and supervise the full range of planning, organizing, development, control, and evaluation of operations and management programs of three parks: New River Gorge National Park, Gualey River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River.
2. Represents the National Park Service (NPS) in primary communications with members of Congress, Federal, State, and regional and local officials, public and private organizations, and the general public.
3. Oversees and manages natural and cultural resource protection of the parks to ensure the preservation of resources and implementation of land protection initiatives.
4. Manages visitor and resource protection programs, providing overall direction for law enforcement functions and the Interpretation and Visitor Services Program.
5. Manages large and complex park facility management and maintenance programs to maintain and preserve structures, landscapes, and monuments.
6. Responsible for identifying, obtaining, and directing financial and human resources necessary to accomplish the mission of the park.
7. Provides leadership to the parks and partners to uphold the NPS vision in a complex and continuously changing environment.

Physical Demands: Occasionally required to work under unusual and stressful situations which call for physical stamina and emotional stability. The work is rarely sedentary, and required walking, driving, standing, and bending. Travel to other areas is often required. A valid driver's license is required.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office setting. However, work is also performed out-of-doors in various types of weather and terrain. Wearing of the National Park Service uniform is required.

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.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• You may be required to travel occasionally. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.
• You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

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 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 period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your supervisory 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-08/05/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, 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-15 grade level you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. 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 qualifying specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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;
• Management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; and/or
• Directs programs and work through direct and indirect supervision.

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.

Education

This position does not allow substituting education for experience.

Additional information

Park/Government housing is not available for this position.

Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will be paid if the selectee lives outside the local commuting area and is otherwise eligible for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation. Employer paid and reimbursed relocation expenses are considered taxable income. The NPS does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Employees should consult professional tax, legal and accounting advisors regarding concerns about the financial implications of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.