Park Ranger Job

Vacancy No. IM-1539-IMDO-25-12561939-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $18.96 to $18.96 Grade 5 to 7
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/1/2024 Close Date 11/14/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Saint Mary, MTWest Glacier, MTColter Bay, WYYellowstone National Park, WY


Summary

These positions may be filled for a six-month seasonal period, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March-July 2025.

Be a successful applicant. Watch this 5 minute video to learn how to create a federal resume.

For more park(s) information, select "Learn more about this agency" below:

Duties

  • Performs day-to-day or backcountry patrol operations to facilitate visitor understanding and enjoyment and to induce behavior that complies with park regulations. Negotiate with individuals or organizations to resolve conflicts, disputes or grievances.
  • Perform emergency services to ill and injured visitors in a variety of settings. Assists with trip itinerary planning using the "Preventative Search and Rescue" concepts in both front country and back country.
  • Provides a wide range of services to visitors including assistance with lost articles, car trouble and first aid. Provides answers to recurring questions.
  • Interacts with park visitors in a variety of settings which may include any of the following: formal or informal presentation, guided tours/hikes, interaction in remote locations regarding backcountry travel about safety and wilderness travel practices, etc.
  • Duties may also include collecting funds, safe-guarding and reconciling funds and accountable stock.
Other duties based on Park/Location:

YELL - Yellowstone, WY:
  • Park Ranger (General), GS-0025-5 - Duties may include working in a backcountry office providing trip planning and food storage information and operating a register and computerized reservation system. Performs Traffic Management functions at popular park attractions, motor vehicle collisions and roadside wildlife viewing.
  • Park Ranger (Lead Park Ranger), GS-0025-7 - Assists in overall coordination of the backcountry ranger program. Patrols backcountry areas, contacts visitors, completed various resource management inventories/reports and assists with various backcountry, wilderness, and protection related park projects. May be required NPS Chainsaw Safety Program Certification. This is a drug tested position.
GRTE - Colter Bay, WY (ALL Positions - Drug Tested and may be Required Occupancy):
  • Park Ranger (General), GS-0025-05: Serves as a member of an in-Park Incident Management Team to be called upon to provide emergency services. Completes work using computer software programs, and responsible for the direction and coordination of volunteers, interns, community work crews during park projects. Provides medical treatment - Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certification or higher certification is required by EOD.
  • Park Ranger (General), GS-0025-07: Assists in overall coordination of the front country ranger program. Patrols front country areas, contacts visitors, and assists with emergency medical services, search and rescue, and structural firefighting program coordination and incident response. Provides medical treatment - Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certification or higher certification is required by EOD.
GLAC - Saint Mary, MT (ALL Positions - Drug Tested):
  • Park Ranger (Backcountry), GS-0025-05 - Patrols backcountry areas, contacts visitors, completed various resource management inventories/reports and assists with various backcountry, wilderness, and protection related park projects.
  • Park Ranger - Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR), GS-0025-5 - Serves as a member of an in-Park Incident Management Team to be called upon to provide emergency services. Completes work using computer software programs, and responsible for the direction and coordination of volunteers, interns, community work crews during park projects. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certification or higher certification is required by EOD.
  • Park Ranger (Lead Backcountry), GS-0025-07 - Assists in overall coordination of the backcountry ranger program. Patrols backcountry areas, contacts visitors, completed various resource management inventories/reports and assists with various backcountry, wilderness, and protection related park projects. May be required to carry a firearm while performing duties.
GLAC - West Glacier, MT (ALL Positions - Drug Tested):
  • Park Ranger (Backcountry), GS-0025-05 - Patrols backcountry areas, contacts visitors, completed various resource management inventories/reports and assists with various backcountry, wilderness, and protection related park projects.
  • Park Ranger - Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR), GS-0025-5 - Serves as a member of an in-Park Incident Management Team to be called upon to provide emergency services. Completes work using computer software programs, and responsible for the direction and coordination of volunteers, interns, community work crews during park projects. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certification or higher certification is required by EOD.
  • Park Ranger (Lead Backcountry), GS-0025-07 - Assists in overall coordination of the backcountry ranger program. Patrols backcountry areas, contacts visitors, completed various resource management inventories/reports and assists with various backcountry, wilderness, and protection related park projects. May be required to carry a firearm while performing duties.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Depending on location, government housing may be available.
  • ALL GRTE Positions AND GLAC (GS-5 Level - PSAR Positions): Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certification or higher is required by EOD.
  • GRTE ONLY: May be Required Occupancy.
  • You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • If selected for a position/location that requires search and rescue, emergency response, use of firearms, or watercraft operation, you will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • If selected for a position/location required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • Some positions require certification to perform emergency medical response. Level of certification may vary dependent on location.
  • Must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/14/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: This 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 specialized experience include, but are not limited to, Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; 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; or other similar work . You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in a related field. (Related fields of study include natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.). You must include transcripts.

-OR-

Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: Park Ranger, law enforcement; EMT or paramedic; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; 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; or other similar work. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successful completion of one year of graduate level study in directly related fields such as natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, emergency management, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (S.A.A.): Must meet the criteria for the S.A.A., as evidenced by one of the three following methods: 1) in the upper third of graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; 2) have a GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in my major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; or 3) a member in one of the national scholastic honor societies. You must include transcripts.

-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. experience. For example, if you have 6 months of the specialized experience described above (50% of the experience requirement), and at least 1 semester of college graduate study in a directly related field from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education requirement), then you would meet 100% of the qualification requirements. Note: You must include hours worked per week in your resume. You must include transcripts.

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.

ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay.

This job opportunity announcement will be used to fill one or more additional selections at anytime without notification.

Not all locations listed will be filling positions. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified if there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied.

Positions will be filled at one grade level and have no promotion potential.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.


Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, and the incumbent must have the ability to routinely carry backpacks of up to 50 pounds in steep terrain and in adverse weather conditions.

Work Environment: The work is performed in settings in which there is a regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness, e.g. high or low temperatures, confined spaces, or adverse weather.

The National Park Service has determined that most temporary positions are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. However, some positions may be able to telework based on the nature of the work.

Benefits

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • First Response
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Leadership
  • Oral Communication
  • Technology Application


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/14/2024:

  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  2. Complete All Required Assessments.
  3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
    • Veterans Preference Documentation:
      • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
  4. College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
  5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above on the rating criteria for this position.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/14/2024. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

  1. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
  2. Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
  3. Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
  4. Select documents you want included in this application.
  5. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
  6. Select if you want to include your demographic information.
  7. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
  8. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
  9. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
    • Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
  10. Review and Submit Application.
  11. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
  12. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
    • To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
    • Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Agency contact information

Julie Ortiz
Address
NPS Regional Office Serving Interior Regions 6,7 and 8
1 Denver Federal Center
Bldg. 50
Denver, CO 80225
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2024, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements