What is an "interpretive ranger"?
Basically, any of the uniformed public faces at an NPS facility that isn't a commissioned law enforcement officer. They take your money, guide you on tours, explain stuff, etc. IOW, most NPS employees doing work that isn't likely to require ticketing, arresting and/or shooting you. Usually almost the same uniform as the LE rangers, but no sidearm, a different badge and a much less cool car.
(Another plug for Carlsbad Caverns NP; that place has the coolest rangers I've ever met, in either designation. I've been to a few National Parks, and that one more than any of the others really felt like everybody who worked there loved their job and wanted visitors to have the best possible experience. Of course, combining geology, history, a particularly attractive above ground environment and whatever the study of bats is called (I should know that, but it's not coming to me - nvm - looked it up; chiropterology) probably makes it high on a lot of people's "where I'd like to be assigned" list, so I'm sure they get their pick of the best rangers. I know they get their pick of the fittest as I've seen more than one spend their free time running along the scenic loop miles from their vehicle on an August midafternoon...including one who had to be very near mandatory retirement age. Dude's wrinkles had muscles. The "I am both frightened and aroused" line in Wonder Woman could have described nearly all the female rangers there, too.)
I am picturing rangers in animal outfits doing some sort of interpretive dance, but I am sure the real meaning is more entertaining.
I suppose at some of the NPS facilities where such could be a significant part of the history of the site, this may actually be a part of the job, though that sort of thing is more often done by students, volunteers or outside contractors.
