Park Ranger (Seasonal)

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is for the Alaska Region of the National Park Service. Please refer to the "Location" section to see which National Parks are included on this announcement.

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.

Denali National Park and Preserve (Denali Park, Kantishna and Toklat, AK. Applicants selected for Kantishna will be duty stationed at Wonder Lake, AK): April - September
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (Bartlett Cove and Yakutat, AK. Applicants selected for Yakutat will be duty stationed at Dry Bay, AK): April - October
Katmai National Park and Preserve (King Salmon, 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
Sitka National Historical Park (Sitka, AK): April - October

Selectees may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries.

Government housing may be available at Denali Park, Seward, Skagway, and Sitka. Government housing is available at Kantishna (Wonder Lake), Toklat, Bartlett Cove, Yakutat (Dry Bay), King Salmon, and Port Alsworth (Twin Lakes, Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek).

Please visit find a park for additional park information.

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 individuals selected will provide information regarding regulations and explain the importance of resource preservation and protection. The individuals 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.

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. These positions are subject to random testing for illegal drug use.

All positions except those at Bartlett Cove and Yakutat (Dry Bay) will be required to carry firearms in the backcountry or other locations for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals.

All positions except those at Denali Park, Kantishna (Wonder Lake), Toklat, Skagway, and Sitka 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.

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 the selected employees.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Except for some positions at Bartlett Cove and all positions at Seward and Sitka, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certification is required before entrance on duty.
• Some positions at Bartlett Cove and all positions at Seward require you to obtain/maintain First Aid and CPR after entrance on duty.
• Positions at Kantisha (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, overtime and/or shift work.
• You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• All positions except those at King Salmon 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, Driving Record, and within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities, 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 travel overnight away from home up to 20 nights per month.
• You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2-page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.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.

SELECTIVE FACTOR for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) positions:

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 applicable if you do not want to be considered for positions that require an EMS certification.

You may apply to non-Emergency Medical Services (EMS) positions that do not require EMS certification, and/or positions that require EMS certification. You must apply to the appropriate park(s), grade(s), duty station(s) and EMS level(s), based on your preferences, in order to be considered for those positions. The preferences you select when you apply will determine the positions you will be considered for.

Below are the parks, grades, duty stations, and EMS levels (if any) that may be filled. Some parks have multiple EMS levels. Use this information to aid in determining which position(s) you would like to be considered for when you apply.

• Denali National Park & Preserve:
  • GS-05 & GS-07 - Denali Park; WFR or higher (Backcountry Rangers)
  • GS-07 - Denali Park, Kantishna (Wonder Lake) & Toklat; EMT or higher (General Rangers)
• Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve:
  • GS-05 - Bartlett Cove; non-EMS & WFR or higher
  • GS-05 - Yakutat (Dry Bay); WFR or higher
  • GS-07 - Bartlett Cove; non-EMS & EMT or higher
  • GS-07 - Yakutat (Dry Bay); EMT or higher
• Katmai National Park & Preserve:
  • GS-07 - King Salmon; 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 & Preserve:
  • GS-05 & GS-07 - Port Alsworth, Twin Lakes, Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek; WFR or higher
• Sitka National Historical Park
  • GS-07 - Sitka; non-EMS

**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 EMS requirements will not be considered for positions with EMS requirements.

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

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: park guide or tour leader; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours, 36 quarter hours, or the equivalent 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 a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION: To combine education and experience, first take the number of credit hours in excess of the first 60 semester hours, or equivalent, earned towards your degree and divide by 60 semester hours, or equivalent. 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 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 a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE & 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, 27 quarter hours, or the equivalent. 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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.

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.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures.These procedures place candidates with veterans' 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
• Teaches Others (GS-07 Only)
• Technical Competence
• Technology Application
• Wilderness Skills and Knowledge

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified. To meet the definition of well-qualified, you must (1) score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire; (2) meet the minimum qualification requirements (education, experience or a combination therein), including any selective placement factors; and (3) be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry with reasonable accommodation, when applicable.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may 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.

ALL required documentation must be submitted to receive full consideration for eligibilities and veterans' preference selected.

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/26/2026:

1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. 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. 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. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
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 SF-15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
     • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
     • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
4. College transcripts if qualifying based on education.
5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

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

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

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