Park Ranger (Seasonal) Job

Vacancy No. AK-1537-AKRO-25-12722307-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $21.85 to $35.19 Grade 5 to 7
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/9/2025 Close Date 4/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Bartlett Cove, AKDenali County, AKDenali Park, AKKing Salmon, AK


Summary

This announcement is being used to clear Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP). 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 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location, 3) Your most recent performance appraisal.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL)

Duties

These positions are temporary and may not exceed 1039 hours (six months) in a service year. They may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs.

Positions may not be filled at every duty station.

The parks and duty stations hiring for these positions are below, as is each park's anticipated seasonal period. The typical seasonal period may vary during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April/May 2025.

Denali National Park and Preserve (Denali Park, Denali County and Toklat, AK. Applicants selected for Denali County will be duty stationed at Wonder Lake, AK): April - September
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (Bartlett Cove, AK): April - October
Katmai National Park and Preserve (King Salmon and Lake and Peninsula County, AK. Applicants selected for Lake and Peninsula County will be duty stationed at Brooks Camp, AK): May - September
Kenai Fjords National Park (Seward, AK): April - September
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (Skagway, AK): May - September
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Port Alsworth, AK. Applicants selected for Port Alsworth may be duty stationed at Twin Lakes, Chinitna Bay and/or Silver Salmon Creek, AK.): April - September

Selectees may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries.

Government housing may be available at Denali Park, Seward, and Skagway. Government housing is available at Bartlett Cove, Denali County (Wonder Lake), Toklat, King Salmon, Lake and Peninsula County (Brooks Camp), and Port Alsworth (Twin Lakes, Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek).

You must apply to each park, duty station, and grade you are interested in working at.

This position includes protection of park resources and visitors through patrols, education, and compliance checks. The individual(s) selected will provide information regarding regulations and explain the importance of resource preservation and protection. The individual(s) will contact and provide visitors information regarding Leave No Trace principles and specific hazards found throughout the park. Patrols are conducted by both motorized and non-motorized watercraft and on foot in both front country and remote areas of the park. Other duties consist of providing backcountry orientation, emergency medical services, search and rescue, environmental protection, and resource management data collection. Selectees may also perform development and delivery of Interpretive talks and tours. May require hikes up to 8 miles a day over rough, uneven terrain.

Additional duties for the GS-07 position: Teaches others - provides on-the-job training, mentoring and assistance to team members by providing guidance, feedback, and direction to accomplish projects and/or daily operations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, etc. The work, on a regular and recurring basis, requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as climbing, hiking and lifting heavy objects. Work may be performed on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain. Incumbents 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 a setting in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness, e.g., high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions. The work environment regularly involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress. In addition, work may be performed in areas of extremely rough terrain with wide annual variations in climatic conditions.

Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of those selected.

Alaska currently does not have a state income tax. Salary and COLA subject to annual review and adjustment.

Please visit find a park for additional park information.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectees will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • All positions except those at Bartlett Cove and Seward require an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certification.
  • Positions at Bartlett Cove and Seward require you to obtain/maintain First Aid and CPR.
  • All positions are subject to drug testing. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, these positions are subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • All positions except those at Bartlett Cove will be required to carry firearms in the back-country or other locations for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals.
  • All positions except those at Denali Park, Denali County (Wonder Lake), Skagway and Toklat will be required to operate a small watercraft less than 26 feet in length. Operation includes transport of personnel (including visitors), tools, and materials/supplies to job/work sites.
  • All positions except those at King Salmon and Lake and Peninsula County (Brooks Camp) will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their 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.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • Positions at Denali County (Wonder Lake) and Toklat require occupancy in government quarters.
  • Positions at Skagway will be required to obtain/maintain a valid US Passport or US Passport Card.
  • 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 work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 20 nights per month.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/15/2025-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 number of hours worked per week, full-time, or part-time. If you indicate part-time, you MUST indicate the number of hours worked per week so that your qualifying experience can be prorated for credit.

SELECTIVE FACTOR/SCREEN-OUT for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) positions only:

Some positions require an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Certification. Certification levels required are Wilderness First Responder, Emergency Medical Responder, or higher; Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, or higher; and Emergency Medical Technician, or higher. (If EMT level, must be National Registry.) This is not a screen-out if you do not want to be considered for positions that require an EMS certification. You have the option to apply to non-Emergency Medical Services (EMS) positions that do not require an EMS certification, and/or positions that require an EMS certification. You must apply to the appropriate park(s), grade(s), duty station(s) and Emergency Medical Certification level(s), based on your preferences, in order to be considered for those positions.

Positions are being announced for the following parks, grades, duty stations and Emergency Medical Certification levels. Use this information to assist in deciding which position(s) you would like to be considered for when you apply.
  • Denali National Park and Preserve:
    • GS-05 & GS-07 (Denali Park; WFR or higher)(Backcountry Rangers)
    • GS-07 (Denali Park, Denali County (Wonder Lake), Toklat; EMT or higher)(General Rangers)
  • Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve:
    • GS-05 & GS-07(Bartlett Cove; non-EMS)
  • Katmai National Park and Preserve:
    • GS-05 & GS-07(King Salmon, Lake and Peninsula County (Brooks Camp); WFR or higher)
  • Kenai Fjords National Park:
    • GS-05 & GS-07(Seward; non-EMS)
  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park:
    • GS-05 (Skagway; WFR or higher)
    • GS-07 (Skagway; Wilderness EMT or higher)
  • Lake Clark National Park and Preserve:
    • GS-05 & GS-07 (Port Alsworth, Twin Lakes, Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek; WFR or higher)
***To be considered for positions with an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certification requirement, you must submit a copy of your certification with the expiration date or state the level and expiration date in your resume. If you do not currently have this certification but will have it before entrance on duty, you must include the expected level and completion date in your resume. You must maintain certification throughout your employment.***

Candidates who do not meet the EMS requirement will not be considered for positions with the EMS requirement.

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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include basic research for the purpose of conducting interpretative tours to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions; assisting with monitoring the condition of natural and/or cultural resources to protect those resources; assisting in patrols to check permits and aiding in search and rescue; providing visitor services such as explaining Leave No Trace and answering visitor questions on natural and/or cultural resources about a park or similar recreational area. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Four years of education above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of course work in a related field. Related course work are subjects 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. You must include hours worked per week in your resume and a copy of your transcripts.

-OR-

A COMBINATION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: To combine education and experience, first take the number of credit hours in excess of the first 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) earned towards your degree and divide by 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100 percent in order to qualify. You must include hours worked per week in your resume and a copy of your transcripts.

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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include researching and conducting interpretative tours to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions; monitoring and reporting on the condition of natural and/or cultural resources to protect those resources; performing patrols to check permits and conducting search and rescue; providing visitor services such as explaining regulations, Leave No Trace, answering complaints, and visitor questions on natural and/or cultural resources about a park or similar recreational area. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR-

EDUCATION: One full year of graduate study in a related field. Related fields include 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. (One year of graduate education is 18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or the number your school uses to represent one year.) You must include hours worked per week in your resume and a copy of your transcripts.

-OR-

A COMBINATION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester or quarter hours earned towards a graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours worked per week in your resume and a copy of your transcripts.

Education

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.

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

Volunteer 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.

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.

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 1039 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 1039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1039 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.

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.

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. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire. 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:
  • Seach and Rescue (SAR)
  • Speaking
  • Technical Competence
  • Technology Application
  • Wilderness Skills and Knowledge
  • Teaches Others (GS-07 only)
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/15/2025:

  1. Resume - 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 number of hours worked per week, full-time, or part-time. If you indicate part-time, you MUST indicate the number of hours worked per week so that your qualifying experience can be prorated for credit. 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, and 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. Documentation that you meet the Selective Placement Factor/Screen-Out if you want to be considered for positions requiring an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certification.
  5. College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
  6. 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 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
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 04/15/2025. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.

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

HR Assistant
Address
Alaska Regional Office
240 W 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
US

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.

Additional Locations

  • Lake and Peninsula County, AK 2 vacancies
  • Port Alsworth, AK 5 vacancies
  • Seward, AK 4 vacancies
  • Skagway, AK 2 vacancies
  • Toklat, AK 2 vacancies


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


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