Duties
Major Duties of the Park Ranger (Protection) - Law Enforcement Instructor position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Serves as a senior commissioned law enforcement officer responsible for patrol, investigations, arrests, search and seizure activities, maintaining firearms proficiency, and applying advanced investigative and enforcement techniques.
- Creates, updates, and evaluates operating plans, standard operating procedures, action plans, and long and shortrange operational strategies to include improvements to program quality and efficiency.
- Analyzes diverse operational challenges, determines resource requirements, revises program activities to align with funding and leadership priorities, and leads investigations of major incidents or complaints.
- Conduct research on training topics, develop best practices, write instructional content, and contribute to agency-wide training policies and standards.
Promotion Potential: Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Temporary Promotion Requirements - Career or career-conditional candidates applying for a temporary promotion, must meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade qualification requirements.
Detail Requirements - Career or career-conditional candidates must meet qualification requirements, however, candidates are not required to meet the time-in-grade qualification requirements of this position. Details also apply to current employees who hold the full performance level of the position (GS-11) or higher grade level on a permanent basis. While on detail, the employee continues to hold their official position from which detailed and keeps the same status and grade.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
- Must possess a Type I Law Enforcement Commission.
- Direct Deposit: New employees of the Department of the Interior must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of net pay within 30 days of entrance on duty.
- Drug Testing: 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.
- Uniform: You will 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 complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*
Qualifications
Requirements Continued...
- Time-in-Grade: Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
- Physical Efficiency Battery: Prior to appointment, the people selected for these positions must be determined physically fit by an authorized physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties, pass a medical examination, and pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB). The PEB is a fitness test consisting of five different components: 1) agility run - measures the ability to get up from the ground and sprint while changing directions; 2) bench press - measures upper body strength for one repetition; 3) 1.5 mile run - measures cardio/respiratory fitness; 4) sit and reach - measures flexibility in the lower back, legs and shoulders; and 5) body composition - measures body fat. Prior to appointment, selectees will be tested in all five components, and must pass the agility run, bench press and 1.5 mile run in the 25th percentile.
- Firearm Proficiency: Selectee(s) will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.
- Driver's License: You will be 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.
- Security Investigation: Selectee(s) must be free of any domestic violence convictions. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/03/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a
non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted.
An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.
For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
Selective Factors: Applicants must meet
ALL of the following to qualify:
- Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years) a valid Type I National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent, by 08/03/2026.More information can be found in the 'Education' section of this job announcement;
- This is a covered secondary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). In addition to the qualifying experience and/or education described above, applicants for this position must possess experience gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement position or equivalent; AND
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.
To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include the following activities:1) Leading the design, development, and delivery of advanced law enforcement and criminal investigation training, including curriculum development, instructional design, and evaluation of training effectiveness for interagency audiences; 2) Performing complex federal law enforcement duties, including criminal investigations, enforcement operations, and incident response involving sensitive or high-profile cases; 3) Serving as a subject matter expert and liaison with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and academic institutions to develop national training standards and policy recommendations; and 4) Conducting research and authoring professional training materials, including best practices, policy guidance, and instructional content that influence agency-wide law enforcement training and doctrine. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education
or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the occupation. 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-12 grade level, you must possess all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement.
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Experience at this level must include all of the following:1) Serving as a commissioned law enforcement officer responsible for enforcement of federal, state, and local laws; exercising arrest authority; and maintaining proficiency with firearms, non-lethal weapons, and communication technologies; 2) Providing law enforcement training or instruction, or serving in a field training officer capacity; 3) Leads, plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates short- and long-range goals and objectives, operating plans and program requirements; and 4) Determines programs or assignments resource requirements and assess and revise program activities to adhere to conform to direction of park leadership and the bureaus' policies.
Education
You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies". Experience listed as full-time will be credited at 40 hours per week.
Type I Law Enforcement Commission: Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years), a FLETC issued Land Management Police Training (LMPT), full Type I Law Enforcement Commission or equivalent; or be qualified to receive a Type I Commission upon appointment.
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.
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.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Physical Demands: Work includes both general classroom work under controlled environment conditions, & outdoors in all kinds of climatic weather conditions. May be required to assist with field practical exercises that require moderate physical exertion. This work requires walking, standing, bending, sitting & carrying small packages/containers. May travel to field locations to coordinate training activities. May also involve considerable physical exertion while demonstrating a variety of law enforcement techniques & methods. If assigned to the Physical Techniques Division (PTD), the work environment includes highly strenuous work both inside & outside. Work in the PTD requires a significant amount of running, physical exertion, exercising, weightlifting & the demonstration & employment of physical defense tactics with students. Law Enforcement/Criminal Investigative assignments require long hours conducting surveillance, investigations, apprehension, transport of prisoner, etc, is required by the incumbent. Carrying of heavy objects is a normal requirement for the position. Incumbent is subject to hostile environment & is subject to injury. Duties involve performing physical rigorous assignment, often in isolated outdoor environments, frequently exposed to severe weather conditions. Dangerous persons must be physically confronted, subdued & apprehended; many of who are known to carry weapons. Prisoners must be kept under physical restraint during transport & processing. Criminal investigations & emergency incidents often must be managed without regard to fixed work schedules, days off, or opportunities from proper rest or nutrition. Physical fitness requirements must be met prior to & on continuing basis. Position is required to meet & continuously maintain the physical/medical standards as set forth in the requirements of D.O. #57; & successfully participate in the physical efficiency battery test. There is a high stress component to much of the incumbent's work assignments.
Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office/classroom setting, some of the work is performed outdoors in all kinds of weather & climatic conditions. Work is performed at various hours of the day & night & for prolonged periods of time, sometimes during emergency situations. The incumbent is frequently exposed to high risk & potentially dangerous situations in law enforcement & emergency types of situations requiring use of a wide range of personal protective gear (some which may be uncomfortable, hot, or inconvenient to wear). Adherence to specific safety procedures & other precautions is required. Incumbent is required to obtain & maintain a valid state operator's license in order to operate required motorized vehicles. May be required to fly in either fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft &/or may be required to operate &/or ride in all types of watercraft. Emergency law enforcement operations will require entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons, animals, substances, & potential exposure to infectious diseases.
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.
This is a secondary-administrative law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U. S. C. 8412 (d) (FERS). PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may meet qualification requirements, but may not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If such an applicant is selected, they will be placed in the regular retirement system. To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under CSRS, an employee must transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position. To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions). You must let this office know if you are in a Primary position.
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. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. 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.
Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.
Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
- Decision Making
- Oral Communication
- Partnering
- Technical Competence
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 additional assessments, including a panel resume review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.
Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.
If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please
submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.