Duties
This position requires substantial prior primary law enforcement experience either inside or outside the Federal government (e.g. investigating, apprehending, or detaining criminals or criminal suspects).
Park Ranger (Protection) - Standard & Field Training Officer Major Duties:
- Serves as a Field Training Officer, providing expert guidance and training on law enforcement procedures as a law enforcement instructor.
- Conduct technical training and education programs including development of law enforcement training curriculum as a certified law enforcement instructor.
- Provide evaluation of student performance for both team and individual training settings to determine behavior anchor points and acquired skills/abilities.
- Develop law enforcement training curriculum using advanced principles and techniques to include lesson plan development, research, curriculum review, development, and revision; develop training materials utilizing different approaches and methods to instruct in classroom settings and practical exercises.
- Maintains working relationships with key stakeholders to complete joint training projects or to share best practices; develop and deliver presentations to students and management officials.
First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
Location Negotiable - Available parks and duty locations (not all locations may be filling positions):
- Big Cypress NP - Ochopee FL
- Biscayne NP - Homestead FL
- Blue Ridge Parkway - Laurel Springs NC, Blowing Rock NC, Spruce Pine NC, Asheville NC, Waynesville NC, Floyd VA, Vinton VA, Big Island VA, Bedford VA, & Montebello VA
- Boston NHP - Boston MA
- Bryce Canyon NP - Bryce UT
- Buffalo - Harrison AR
- Canaveral NS - Titusville FL, New Smyrna FL
- Cape Cod National Seashore - Wellfleet MA
- Cape Hatteras NS - Buxton NC, Nags Head NC, & Ocracoke NC
- Chattahoochee River NRA - Sandy Springs, GA
- Chickasaw NRA - Sulphur, OK
- Colonial NHP - Yorktown VA, Jamestown VA
- Cumberland Gap NHP - Middlesboro KY
- Cuyahoga Valley NP - Brecksville OH, Peninsula OH
- Delaware Water Gap NRA - Bushkill PA
- Everglades NP - Homestead FL, Everglades City FL, Key Largo FL, & Flamingo FL
- Gateway Arch NP - Saint Louis MO
- Gateway Sandy Hook - Highlands NJ
- Glen Canyon NRA - Page AZ
- Golden Gate NRA - San Francisco CA, Sausalito CA
- Grand Canyon NP - Grand Canyon AZ, North Rim AZ
- Grand Teton NP - Moose WY, Colter Bay WY
- Great Smoky Mountains NP - Townsend TN, Gatlinburg TN, Cherokee NC
- Gulf Islands NS - Gulf Breeze FL, Ocean Springs MS
- Hot Springs NP - Hot Springs AR
- Independence NHP - Philadelphia PA
- Joshua Tree NP - Twentynine Palms CA
- Lake Mead NRA - Boulder City, NV
- Little River Canyon NP - Fort Payne, AL
- Mammoth Cave NP - Mammoth Cave KY
- Mojave NP - Barstow CA
- Mount Rushmore NM - Keystone SD
- Natchez Trace Parkway - Franklin TN, Hohenwald TN, Cherokee AL, Tupelo MS, Mantee MS, Ridgeland MS, & Port Gibson MS
- New River Gorge NP - Glen Jean WV, Lansing WV, Beaver WV
- Organ Pipe Cactus NM - Ajo, AZ
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways - Van Buren MO, Eminence MO
- Padre Island NS - Corpus Christ, TX
- Rocky Mountain NP - Estes Park CO
- San Antonio Missions NHP - San Antonio, TX
- Sequoia and King's Canyon NP - Kings Canyon National Park CA, Three Rivers CA, & Sequoia National Park CA
- Valley Forge NHP - King of Prussia, PA
- Yellowstone NP - Yellowstone NP WY
- Yosemite NP - Yosemite CA
- Zion NP - Springdale UT
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Statement: The salary annotated on this announcement does not include the cost-of-living allowance, nor locality pay.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Direct Deposit participation required.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
- Pre-employment and random drug testing is required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
- A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
- Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
- Government housing may be available.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
- May be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
- This may be a bargaining unit position, depending on location.
- Firearm qualification and certification are required for the role, and ongoing proficiency must be maintained
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must be free of any domestic violence convictions.
- Must maintain a delegation of law enforcement authority.
- Prior to appointment, you 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.
*Additional Requirements located under Qualifications*
Qualifications
Requirements Continued...
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Temporary Promotion - 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.
Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized 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 periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. 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.
Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified.
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years) a valid Type 1 National Park Service Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent, by 11/14/2026. 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. 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.
- Must have a current, valid State Driver's License by 11/14/2026.
- Candidates must currently be a credentialed Field Training Officer for the NPS Field Training and Evaluation Program.Applicants must have attended a NPS Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) Training Officer Course. The two NPS-approved courses of instruction are the NPS FTEP Training Course and the DHS FLETC FTEP Training Officer Course. Candidates must have completed one of the two courses by 11/14/2026 in order to qualify as a Field Training Officer.
-AND-
Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:.
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/GL-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated: substantial prior primary law enforcement experience either inside or outside the Federal government which includes experience in investigating, apprehending or detaining criminals or criminal suspects. You must include hours per week worked on your resume
-OR-
Education: Successfully completed three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education, or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree at an accredited college or university, in a field of major study that is directly related to the work of the position 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, 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. Note: You must include a copy of your academic transcripts with your application if qualifying on education.
-OR-
Combination of education and specialized experience as described above. To calculate your percentage of qualifying graduate education, divide your number of semester hours in excess of 36 semester hours by 18, or the number your school uses to represent one year of full time graduate academic study. To calculate your percentage of experience, divide your months of qualifying specialized experience by 12. Add the two percentages. They must equal at least 100% to qualify using this option. Note: You must include a copy of your academic transcripts with your application if qualifying on education and you must include hours per week worked on your resume.
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.
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.
Education
Law Enforcement Commission: Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years), a FLETC issued Land Management Police Training, full Type I Law Enforcement Commission or equivalent; or be qualified to receive a Type 1 Law Enforcement Commission upon appointment
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
Additional information
Special retirement coverage will not be affected by this detail/temporary promotion. Your position of record determines your retirement coverage.
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.
Physical Demands: Strenuous exertion is frequently required in law enforcement, search and rescue, medical and related emergency activities. Lifting or carrying equipment weighing over 50 pounds, such as emergency equipment, or search and rescue equipment is required. There is a physical, mental and emotional high-stress component to much of the incumbents work assignment. Position is required to meet and continuously maintain the physical/medical standards as set forth in the requirements of D.O. #57.
Work Environment: The incumbent is frequently exposed to high-risk and potentially dangerous situations in law enforcement and emergency situations requiring use of a wide range of personal protective gear, adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions.
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework.
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.
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. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age (MEA) policy, applicants must have prior service in a primary position and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to a secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. 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. For FERS eligibility, an employee must transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding three days) from a primary position to a secondary position, complete three years of service in a primary rigorous position-including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld-and must be continuously employed in a secondary position 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 applicant's responsibility to ensure this office has sufficient information to determine retirement status and prevent loss of benefits, typically by submitting an SF-50 or other documentation demonstrating work history in approved covered positions. Applicants must inform human resources if they are currently 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.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessment(s) required for this position.
Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. 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.
Applicants are not required to submit proof of FTO during the application process - this will be verified by Human Resources during the application review.
You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the USA Hire Assessment, if required.
All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
DUE WEIGHT: Please submit 1) a copy of your
most recent performance appraisal/evaluation
dated within the last 18 months 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, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.