Federal Position Descriptions
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Director of the National Park Service

Director of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, the National Park Service had $2.219 billion in budget outlays and 15,375 employees.3 The National Park System comprises more than 400 natural, recreational, historic and cultural park units, encompassing more than 80 million acres throughout the United States, the Pacific, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.4

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversees a suite of programs that support the efforts of others to preserve natural and cultural resources and enhance recreational opportunities in places the National Park Service does not administer
• Represents the National Park Service in dealings with other federal, state and local agencies, educational institutions, scientific societies, conservation organizations, private industry and Congress
• Cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world5

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Prior government experience, either from Capitol Hill or a similar state function (helpful)
• Prior agency experience (helpful)

Competencies

• Strong communication skills to communicate well within the department, across different agencies and with external stakeholders
• Political savvy and sensitivity
• Willingness to travel

Past Appointments
  • Jonathan B. Jarvis (2009 to 2017): Pacific West Region Director, National Park Service; Superintendent, Mount Rainier and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks and Craters of the Moon National Monument6
  • Mary Amelia Bomar (2006 to 2009): Northeast Regional Director, National Park Service; Superintendent, Independence National Historical Park; Superintendent, Oklahoma City National Memorial7
  • Fran P. Mainella (2001 to 2006): Director, Florida’s State Parks, Executive Director of the Florida Recreation and Park Association; President, National Recreation and Park Association and National Association of State Park Directors8
AGENCY

Department of the Interior

Mission: The Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives and affiliated island communities.

COMPENSATION

Level V $145,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5316)1

REPORTS TO

Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks2

SENATE COMMITTEE

Energy and Natural Resources

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  2. https://www.doi.gov/whoweare/orgchart
  3. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgDocument.asp?OrgId=-1&LDIBookId=19&LDIOrgId=153442&LDISecId=180&FromRecent=0&Save=1&Position=-1#O153442
  4. OPM
  5. OPM
  6. http://npshistory.com/publications/directors/index.htm
  7. http://npshistory.com/publications/directors/index.htm
  8. http://www.guestservices.com/about-us/board-of-trustees/frances-p-mainella/
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