Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Park Ranger (River Patrol)

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Physical Demands/Work Environments: Work may be performed indoors or outdoors. Work may occur in steep, wet and muddy terrain, in campgrounds, recreation sites, visitor centers, offices, fee booths, bathrooms, trails or remote areas requiring extended camping. Positions may require physical exertions such as extended walking/standing, driving, stooping/crouching, digging, or lifting/carrying. Individuals should be able to work alone or with people; during day/night/weekend/holiday hours.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/04/2019 to 12/02/2019
Salary
$33,949 - $54,670 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 05 - 07
Locations
MANY vacancies in the following locations:
Baker City, OR
MANY vacancies
Grants Pass, OR
MANY vacancies
Klamath Falls, OR
MANY vacancies
Maupin, OR
MANY vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Temporary - This is a Temporary NTE 1039 hours.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None - None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
OR-TEMP-2020-0010
Control number
547790700

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to - All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required.

Duties

Help

NOTE: These are notLaw Enforcement positions. 

Park Rangers (River Patrol) support the Bureau's recreation program. They work with the public to: provide information, conduct permit compliance and safety inspections, and conduct river patrols. They respond to emergency situations, including swift water rescue and administering first aid. In addition, they participate in evaluating visitor use patterns, preparing and maintaining recreation sites, monitoring condition of sites, natural and cultural resources. Work may take place in extremely remote environments and may require primitive camping and living skills for upwards of two weeks in duration. The work is performed outdoors in rugged terrain; to include very steep, wet, muddy, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; positions require physical exertions, such as, bending, crouching, and stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. Individuals should be capable of working alone, or with other people, during day/night/weekend/holiday hours.

Note for River Rangers in Maupin and Prineville:  Job duties include facility maintenance, cleaning, public education/outreach and regulation compliance.  Employees will be regularly be required to drive long distances over some rough roads in order to accomplish job duties.  They may also be required to hike on uneven or rough terrain to access remote sites.  River skills must include the ability to safely negotiate Class IV-V rapids repeatedly in a raft.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Be sure to read the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" Sections
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you
  • have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land
  • Direct Deposit Required
  • Background Investigation Required

If employed in Maupin, Prineville, Merlin, Grants Pass, or Klamath Falls, Oregon you MUST have skill and expertise to row safely a 15-16 foot raft in whitewater rapids rated on the International Scale from Class III to V. Be sure to include this information on your resume along with the River(s) you safely navigated the 15-16 foot raft AND the number of years.  Failure to provide this information may result in you being found not qualified. 

If employed in Baker City, Oregon you MUST have skill and expertise to row safely a 15-16 foot raft in whitewater rapids rated on the International Scale from Class III to IV. Be sure to include this information on your resume along with the River(s) you safely navigated the 15-16 foot raft AND the number of years.  Failure to provide this information may result in you being found not qualified. 

For all River Patrol positions, you must have knowledge of whitewater rescue techniques to include swift water swimming, recognition of swift water hazards, knowledge of shallow and deep water crossings, and rescue problems.  Be sure to include this information on your resume.  Failure to provide this information may result in you being found not qualified. 

For some duty locations, you must demonstrate the ability to lift and move objects weighting over 50 pounds.

Qualifications

Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the specialized experience as defined in the announcement or vacancy questions. In addition, your responses to the questions must be adequately reflected in your resume.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume.

GS-5 Park Ranger - One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least GS-4 level. Examples of specialized experience may include explaining regulations to park visitors; providing information and advice on park activities and resources; collecting fees; issuing reservations and permits; conducting guided tour programs; maintaining recreation facilities or trails; monitoring special recreation permits. Your experience must include navigating through Class III-V whitewater rapids. OR Successful completion of four year (180 quarter or 120 semester hours) course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, which included 24 semester hours of related course work; OR A combination of experience and education to meet total experience. 

GS-6 Park Ranger - One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-5. Examples of qualifying specialized experience may include explaining regulations to park visitors; providing information and advice on park activities and resources; collecting fees; issuing reservations and permits; developing and conducting guided tour programs; maintaining recreation facilities or trails; monitoring special recreation permits; conducting potable water tests in compliance with appropriate state laws; or assisting with supervision of seasonal recreation technicians. Your experience must include navigating through Class III-V whitewater rapids. OR Successful completion of one full academic year (45 quarter or 30 semester hours) of graduate education related to the occupation (i.e. related course work) or superior academic achievement; OR A combination of experience and education to meet total experience. 

GS-7 Park Ranger - One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 level. Examples of specialized experience may include experience as park guide or tour leader; archaeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/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; planning day to day operation of a recreation area providing such facilities as camping, water sports, picnic areas, or coordinating routine activities with maintenance personnel; advising visitors concerning safety, fire prevention, and proper and authorized uses of recreational facilities. Your experience must include navigating through Class III-V whitewater rapids. OR Successful completion of one full academic year (45 quarter or 30 semester hours) of graduate education related to the occupation (i.e. related course work) or superior academic achievement; OR A combination of experience and education to meet total 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.

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

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires special qualifications that have been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out elements. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factors will be rated not qualified:

  1. If employed in  Maupin, Prineville, Merlin, Grants Pass, or Klamath Falls, Oregon, you MUST have skill and expertise to row safely a 15-16 foot raft in whitewater rapids rated on the International Scale from Class III to V. Be sure to include this information on your resume along with the River(s) you safely navigated the 15-16 foot raft AND the number of years.
  2. If employed in  Baker City, Oregon, you MUST have skill and expertise to row safely a 15-16 foot raft in whitewater rapids rated on the International Scale from Class III to IV. Be sure to include this information on your resume along with the River(s) you safely navigated the 15-16 foot raft AND the number of years.
  3. For all duty locations, you must demonstrate knowledge of whitewater rescue techniques to include swift water swimming, recognition of swift water hazards, knowledge of shallow and deep water crossings, and rescue problems.

Education

If qualifying based on education you will need to clearly state your undergraduate/graduate degree(s) and submit your college transcripts or a listing of your college courses that includes hours and grades.

Additional information

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.

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

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Well or Best Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.

This position is not eligible for Telework.

Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.

This position may require you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.

At some duty locations this position may require you to have a current valid driver’s license.

At some duty locations you may need the ability to lift and move objects weighing over 50 pounds.

All positions may not be filled or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions are temporary and are expected to last for approximately 6 months. These positions have no promotion potential, if you want to be considered for a higher grade you must apply for the higher grade.

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

For additional information about the BLM, please visit Our website.

How you will be evaluated

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

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position:

  1. Knowledge of policies, objectives, and operating methods to provide information and education concerning responsible river use on public lands.
  2. Knowledge of resource programs; natural or cultural history, fish or wildlife habitat characteristics, techniques of resource protection and use, recreational use of Federal lands, and fire prevention techniques / fire suppression methods.
  3. Ability to communicate with visitors to obtain their cooperation, identify and resolve problems or apparent violations of regulations.
  4. Knowledge of First Aid techniques and ability to respond to River Patrol emergency situations, to include swift water rescue.
  5. Ability to administer operations, such as the day-to-day operation of a recreation site.
  6. Ability to carry out resource management or protection work, such as evaluation of resource conditions or enforcement of use requirements 

To preview questions please click here.

Bureau of Land Management

BLM is seeking a dynamic and energetic individual to join the team as a Park Ranger (River Patrol).

The BLM manages more land - 245 million surface acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The BLM, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Agency contact information

OR/WA Temp Seasonal Team
Phone
503-808-6180
TDD
503-808-6484
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
sadson@blm.gov
Address
Bureau of Land Management
BLM Oregon State Office, OR-953
1220 SW 3rd Avenue
P. O. Box 2965
Portland, Oregon 97204
United States

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.