National Park Service Interview Questions
Updated Mar 30, 2023
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Interviews at National Park Service
Interviews for Top Jobs at National Park Service
- Park Ranger (10)
- Biological Science Technician (8)
- Park Guide (5)
- Seasonal Park Ranger (3)
- Recreation Fee Technician (3)
- Internship (2)
- Biological Technician (2)
- Ranger (2)
- Education Technician (2)
- Usher (2)
- Lifeguard (2)
- Procurement Technician (2)
- Interpretive Park Ranger (2)
- Visitor Services Assistant (1)
- Archaeologist (1)
- Intern (1)
- Intern - Hourly (1)
- Administrative Officer (1)
- Administrative (1)
- Hydrologist (1)
- Maintenance Worker (1)
- Geologist (1)
- IT Specialist (1)
- Recreation Assistant (1)
- Research Fellow (1)
- Public Safety Dispatcher (1)
- GIS (1)
- GIS Intern (1)
- Security Guard (1)
- Custodian (1)
Anonymous Interview Candidate in Washington, DC
I interviewed at National Park Service (Washington, DC)
1 hour with basic questions about Arcgis and previous experience. Programming experience is a plus and experience with gps data collection tech is a plus. Project management experience is needed as there will at least 4-6 projects going on at one time. Understanding that things move slowly is also crucial.
- Describe one product you have developed with arcgis?
Anonymous Employee
I interviewed at National Park Service
Very easy going! They gave a lot of information about the position and didn't ask any tricky questions. It was more of a behavioral type interview. It was clear that they wanted to get to know me.
- What would be difficult for you in this position?
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Anonymous Interview Candidate
I applied online. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at National Park Service in Feb 2023
Applied on USA Jobs, after a series of qualification emails from USA job over three months I got an interest check to set up a phone interview. Phone interview lasted around 30 minutes, everyone was very pleasant!
- How would you handle large crowds? How have you dealt with disagreement with a coworker?
Anonymous Interview Candidate
I applied online. I interviewed at National Park Service in Jan 2023
Applied in the end of October, contacted & interviewed in January. The interview was short and very informative. The interaction was professional and with a very friendly supervisor who described the layout of the park and the way the entire fees operation works there. There was a lot of conversation about work and living situation, and I was only asked two questions (listed both down below).
- Why do you want to work here? Describe a time you had to deal with conflict, whether this be with a coworker or with a visitor.
Anonymous Employee
I applied online. I interviewed at National Park Service
The interview process is similar across parks, but can happen on different timelines for different parks. Most interviewers ask about previous work experience at similar parks or positions. You’ll also likely be asked to speak to team work and working under stress/pressure.
- What are three words your coworkers would use to describe yourself?
Anonymous Interview Candidate
I interviewed at National Park Service
Over Zoom, two interviewers asked various questions and gave information about the job. Asked for my proficiency in certain skills rated from 1 to 5. Interview was of moderate difficulty.
- What role do you typically take in a team?
Anonymous Employee
I interviewed at National Park Service
Usually, get a phone call, the interview lasted about 30 mins to an hour. Be prepared to answer standard interview questions (strengths, weaknesses, etc) but also know the mission of the park service and be prepared to answer questions about the mission.
- What is the mission of the National Park Service and how would you carry out that mission if hired?
Anonymous Interview Candidate
I applied online. I interviewed at National Park Service
Very straightforward interview, mainly asking if I was comfortable with certain tasks about the job. It lasted about 15-20 minutes. I got an email a day before the interview to schedule. Then after the interview, I had to submit references.
- Would you be comfortable camping over night several days a week on site?
Anonymous Employee in San Diego, CA
I applied online. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at National Park Service (San Diego, CA) in Apr 2022
I got an email to set up a time for a phone call. They asked me about experience that directly related to the job and answered some questions I had. It was very casual because I work at a small park. Within a couple of days I had an offer letter!
- How do you deal with long lines?
Anonymous Employee
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at National Park Service in Mar 2022
Once you make it through the Federal application process the worst is over. The interview will probably have the same questions as most interviews Strengths/weakness, experience, why you want the job. Having a base knowledge of the Park you are applying for is a must, at least read the park website and any reviews for relevant guest problems or praise.
- Why do you want to work at this Park?
National Park Service Interviews FAQs
Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at National Park Service as 75.6% positive with a difficulty rating score of 2.43 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty). Candidates interviewing for Biological Technician and Geologist rated their interviews as the hardest, whereas interviews for IT Specialist and Naturalist Interpreter roles were rated as the easiest.
The hiring process at National Park Service takes an average of 67.08 days when considering 82 user submitted interviews across all job titles. Candidates applying for Biological Technician had the quickest hiring process (on average 1 day), whereas Hydrologist roles had the slowest hiring process (on average 360 days).
Common stages of the interview process at National Park Service according to 82 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone Interview: 33.13%
Background Check: 16.88%
One on One Interview: 13.75%
Drug Test: 12.50%
Group Panel Interview: 8.13%
Skills Test: 7.50%
Presentation: 3.75%
Personality Test: 2.50%
IQ Intelligence Test: 1.25%
Other: 0.63%
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