Park Ranger Job

Vacancy No. CATEMP-26-12890068-JB Department Bureau of Land Management
Salary $40,736.00 to $65,599.00 Grade 5 to 7
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/13/2026 Close Date 2/27/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Arcata, CACedarville, CARedding, CASusanville, CA
Whitethorn, CA


Summary

Join the Bureau of Land Management as a Seasonal Park Ranger supporting recreation and conservation efforts across Northern California's public lands. You will engage with visitors, support recreation programs, promote safety and resource protection. These are not Law Enforcement positions.

Positions are located within the BLM Northern California District in the following locations: Arcata, Cedarville, Redding, Susanville, and Whitethorn.

This announcement has an applicant max of 100.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

  • Position serves as a temporary seasonal Park Ranger within a BLM CA Northern California field office, park, conservation area, or recreation site.
  • Greets visitors and provides services by offering safety guidance, information, and ensuring compliance with rules and regulations through patrols and inspections.
  • Coordinates recreation planning and facility maintenance activities, including trail and campsite projects, volunteer programs, and upkeep of visitor use areas.
  • Responds to emergencies, conducts investigations, and manages special recreation permits to ensure public safety, resource protection, and adherence to agency policies.
  • Participate in evaluating visitor use patterns, by collecting field data, administering surveys, and preparing necessary documentation.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • This position may be required to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status. If required, the incumbent must wear the uniform in accordance with applicable policies and be required to sign a condition of uniform wear statement.
  • Requires a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the below qualification requirements.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) that must be met. To be considered you must meet one of the below requirements:

  1. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- 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, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. OR
  2. Experience that demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work. Examples include: Park guide or tour leader; Law Enforcement or investigative work; Archeological or historical preservation work; Forestry or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; or management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or park (or similar area) operations.
To qualify for the GS-05 level you must meet the above IOR and have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 as indicated by the following examples: explaining regulations to park visitors; providing information and advice on park activities and resources; issuing reservations and permits; assisting guided tour programs; assisting with the maintenance or upkeep of recreation facilities or trails. OR Successful completion of a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelors degree with at least 24 semester hours related to the position. OR A combination or qualifying education and specialized experience.

To qualify for the GS-06 level you must meet the above IOR and have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 as indicated by the following examples: developing or conducting guided tour programs; monitoring special recreation permits; explaining regulations to park visitors; providing information and advice on park activities and resources; collecting fees; issuing reservations and permits; maintaining recreation facilities or trails; assist in training other employees or volunteers. OR Successful completion of 1 full year of graduate education with a major study that is directly related to the position. OR A combination or qualifying education and specialized experience.

To qualify for the GS-07 level you must meet the above IOR and have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 as indicated by the following examples: providing visitor services such as conducting guided tours, advising visitors concerning safety, fire prevention, and proper and authorized uses of recreational facilities; patrolling recreation sites for safety and compliance of park rules; oversee park fee collections; assisting in recreation planning and park maintenance scheduling; monitor and coordinate specialist recreation permits; assist in coordinating volunteer programs; training other employees or volunteers on park programs or processes. OR Successful completion of 1 full year of graduate education with a major study that is directly related to the position. OR A combination or qualifying education and specialized experience.

Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience must be comparable in scope, complexity, and responsibility to the work performed at the next lower grade level. Experience may have been gained in the Federal service, private sector, military, or volunteer work, Peace Corps, Ameri Corps, or other work, and must be clearly documented in your resume. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work. You may receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: Work may be performed indoors and outdoors. Outdoor work may experience rugged terrain such as steep, wet, muddy, rough, rocky, or uneven surfaces and experience varying weather conditions from freezing to extremely hot temperatures. Position may require physical exertion such as, but not limited to, driving over unpaved roads, walking over a variety of terrain, standing for long periods of time, bending, crouching, digging, stooping, hiking, lifting, reaching, or similar activity.

Work Environment: Outdoor work is completed in all types of weather conditions, terrain, and elevations. Work may take place in a remote environment and may require primitive camping and living skills. Indoor duties are performed in a normal office setting.

Education

Applicants may qualify for these positions based on experience, education, or an equivalent combination as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.

If using education to qualify, you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. See Required Documents section for more information.

Additional information

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

This position is not eligible for Telework.

We expect to fill 6 vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available. All positions may not be filled or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions are temporary and are expected to last for up to 6 months. These positions have no promotion potential, if you want to be considered for a higher grade you must apply for the higher grade.

If selected from this announcement you may be rehired for identical positions without further competition based on work needs, funding, or any other condition of employment.

If selected from this or a similar competitive, seasonal announcement, your appointment may be creditable for consideration under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). The Act allows certain individuals, who have or had time-limited appointments at land management agencies, to compete for any permanent position in the competitive service under "internal" merit promotion procedures. For more information, see the section under Eligibility, which starts with Question #15 (Q15. Who is eligible for appointment under these provisions?).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.


After the application period closes, your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Please make sure your resume clearly explains your experience and supports your questionnaire responses. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the following additional assessment: Subject Matter Expert Resume Panel Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed below that are required to successfully perform the job. Qualified applicants will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Applicants in the Best Qualified category may be referred to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview. CTAP, iCTAP, and Veterans preference will be applied. Eligible CTAP/iCTAP applicants who are rated well qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above will receive priority. Eligible Veterans in the Best Qualified category may receive priority consideration over non-Veterans.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Problem Solving, and Teamwork

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

Resume and Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter.

Transcripts: If using education to qualify, submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment. 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.

Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, submit all applicable documents.

  • A copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy preferred) showing your dates of active duty and type of discharge.
  • For current active duty members, submit a letter written on a letterhead from your Unit/Battalion/Brigade that states at a minimum, your military service entry date, estimated discharge date, type of separation (retirement, medical, regular), character of service (honorable, general), qualifying campaign medals and/or dates of overseas service during a war/campaign.
  • Disabled Veterans claiming 10 point preference (CP/CPS) are also required to submit a VA letter that states your combined disability percentage. If selected, you will be required to complete an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.
  • If you are claiming military spouse preference, submit a copy of your spouse's current military orders and copy of marriage certificate. If applying based on military spouse's 100% disability, you must also submit a copy of their VA rating.
  • If you are claiming Sole Survivorship Veterans' Preference (SSP), please provide the DD214, SF-15, Official certification from the military/VA confirming sole survivorship.
Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/special-hiring-authorities/.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: Submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.

Please note that documents selected for transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added do your application. You need to transfer your document(s) in the "Documents" step during the application process.

Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application.

Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.

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

This position uses an online application process through USAJOBS. You must submit your complete application by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 02/27/2026.

If you need help applying online, contact blm_ca_hrall@blm.gov, be sure to include the vacancy title and number in your request.

Application Steps

  1. Create or log in to your USAJOBS account. You must have a current resume uploaded to your account.

  2. Click "Apply" on this announcement to begin the application.

  3. Complete the online application and questionnaire. Note - You will only be considered for the eligibility options you select. You must submit supporting documentation to verify each eligibility claimed.

  4. Upload documents and review your application. Make sure all required documents are included before submitting. Reminder resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.

  5. Submit your application. Applications with missing or incomplete information may not be considered.
You may check the status of your application by logging into your USAJOBS account. All submitted applications appear on your account home page, along with the date they were last updated. We recommend checking your application before the announcement closes to make sure it is complete. It is your responsibility to submit a resume, online questionnaire, and all required documents by the closing date.

Agency contact information

Austin Ashey
Email
aashey@blm.gov
Address
BLM California State Office
BLM California State Office, CA-945
2800 Cottage Way
Suite W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825
US

Next steps

You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement email from USAJobs that your submission was successful once we have received your online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application and/or referral to the hiring official via your USAJobs account after the evaluation process is complete. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement, at the discretion of Federal hiring officials. Department of the Interior may share the list of eligible candidates with other Federal agencies/departments, authorized to appoint new employees under the same hiring procedures if the position is in the same: job series, grade level, promotion potential, and in the same geographic locations (including the same metro/commuting area) provided herein. You will have the opportunity to "opt-in" to appear on a shared list. "Opt-in" does not guarantee your application will be shared, but you will be contacted in the event your application is shared

Additional locations

Whitethorn, CA
2 vacancies