Grand Teton Association supports four annual Interpretive Associate positions in Grand Teton National Park: two at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose; one at Jenny Lake Visitor Center; one at the Colter Bay Visitor Center and one at Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center. In 2026, we supported five total positions. 

This program is a major area of ongoing annual support to one of our key partners. Since the early 2000s, GTA has supported these positions.

As part of an overall seasonal team, these associates are doing equivalent work to a GS-5 National Park Service Ranger. Normally, the park brings in two of the positions in April, and those individuals have a significant impact in assisting with the opening of the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center. They interface with early season visitors when the park is still at smaller early season staff numbers. The other positions are added in mid-May and wrap up around the end of September.

Over the course of the season, GTA Interpretive Associates may give ranger-led hikes, lead evening amphitheater programs, short courtyard or porch chats, astronomy programs, or Junior Ranger programs. 

“The partnership with GTA for these positions is really fantastic,” said Justin Olson, Branch Manager for Visitor Engagement at Grand Teton National Park. “This program also serves as a great pipeline. Many of our GTA Interpretive Associates return in future years as NPS park rangers, after getting their foot in the door. It is not unusual for us to have a few park rangers each summer who got their start as GTA Interpretive Associates.”

GTA funding is integral to providing these positions to help support visitor operations in all four districts, Olson said. “These positions are an opportunity for more entry-level folks to break into the park service world.”

In the last five summers, Olson estimates that GTA funded well over 20 summer positions, with over half continuing on in the NPS as park rangers. 

“The federal hiring process can be confusing, if you don’t have experience or guidance into it, so these positions allow us to hire great applicants, who may not find initial success on USAJobs,” said Olson.

Visit: Interpretive Associates – Grand Teton National Park for more information about the GTA Interpretive Associates program. Applications are accepted through February 1 each year, with the hiring process happening shortly afterward.