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Student Trainee (Park Ranger - Protection)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Visitor and Resource Protection (VRP)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Park Ranger's apply laws and regulations to protect both visitors and resources of our National Parks, and ensure a safe visitor experience through patrols, emergency response, and investigations.

Multiple positions are being advertised concurrently under the following announcements:
WO-VRP-21-11038207-DE
WO-VRP-21-11039734-ST

Open to the first 200 applicants.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 04/09/2021 to be considered.
Likely Entry on Duty: August 2021

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/29/2021 to 03/31/2021
This job will close when we have received 200 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$43,495 to - $49,508 per year

Salary does not include locality pay. For specific wage information, reference the OPM Salaries and Wages link in the Additional Information section.

Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Bartlett Cove, AK
Denali Park, AK
Talkeetna, AK
Cherokee, AL
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with employing park policy.
Appointment type
Recent graduates - Recent Graduates, Current Students
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Work schedule is dependent upon the position.
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
WO-VRP-21-11043434-DE
Control number
596086600

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Duties

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Selected candidates will attend training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. Completion of Ranger-Specific Basic Training (RSBT) and Land Management Police Training (LMPT) is required. Completion of the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) is also mandatory. FTEP may or may not occur at the candidate's employing park. Training occurs on-site at FLETC and students are housed in dormitories or hotels at no cost to the trainee. Students are employed and paid by their park while attending training.
Likely Entry on Duty: August 2021

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.

For more information about becoming a Park Ranger prior to applying to this announcement go to the Become a Law Enforcement Ranger website.

To learn more about these duties:

  • Learn more about the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) here.
  • You can look up required scores for your age and gender for PEB here.
  • Learn more about the Medical Standards Program here.
  • Learn more about FLETC Physical Performance Requirements (PPRs) here.
  • To learn about Ranger-Specific Basic Training and Land Management Police Training go to this Reference

Park Ranger (Protection) Standard Duties:

  • Enforce federal laws, regulations and policies.
  • Patrol front country and backcountry sites.
  • Emergency response (utilizing Incident Command System) including medical services, search and rescue, and wildland/structural fire suppression.
  • Facilitate visitor stewardship and orientation; wilderness management; boundary enforcement; protection of natural and cultural resources (e.g. wildlife, plants, archaeological sites, historic buildings).
  • Assist with preliminary investigations of felonies, crimes and violations of park rules, public use, safety requirements, and motor vehicle accidents.
  • Crowd control activities.
  • Proactively protects park resources from all forms of degradation.

Additional duties for GS-7:
  • The incumbent will independently conduct law enforcement investigations into misdemeanor violations.
  • Under the supervision of a Type I commissioned personnel, investigate felony violations and fatalities.

Park Ranger's apply laws and regulations to protect both visitors and resources of our National Parks, and ensure a safe visitor experience through patrols, emergency response, and investigations.

The full performance level (FPL) of the target position can be non-competitively promoted to is a GS-07 Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor. 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.

Requirements

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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.
  • Must be able to successfully complete agency-sponsored training to obtain an NPS Type I Law Enforcement Commission.
  • Pre-employment medical exam and drug testing are required.
  • Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
  • Government housing may be available.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • Selectee(s) will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work.
  • Applicants must provide documentation of completion within the previous 2 years of a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
  • Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
  • Must not have reached your 37th birthday prior to employment
  • Exception to mandatory age requirement: Applicants who have prior Federal service in a primary covered position sufficient to complete 20 years of service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57 OR if an applicant is a qualified veteran and is preference eligible, in which case the mandatory entry age is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service.
Additional Requirements:
  • Must meet the eligibility requirements for the DOI Recent Graduate Program. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations.
  • Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field.
  • Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the duration of their excepted service appointment.
  • Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/09/2021-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Pathways Eligibility Requirements: In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Internship Program:

  • Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Students may apply within one (1) month of meeting their education requirements.
    ; AND
  • Students currently enrolled must be in good academic standing, maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a cumulative basis; AND
  • Provide proof of enrollment documentation as detailed in the 'Education' section.
You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program.

Foreign Language : In addition to the standard Student Trainee (Park Ranger - Protection) qualifications listed below, If you would like to be considered for this option, the applicant must be conversationally fluent in at least one of the following languages, and support in their resume:
  • Spanish
You will NOT be rated ineligible if you do not possess the optional language in your application.

Emergency Medical Technician: Some parks on this announcement may require Park Ranger (Protection) to be certified in Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) duties will be less than 20% of the time. If you would like to be considered for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) you must provide your certification in your supporting documents at the time of application. (Note: you will still be considered for LE Ranger without EMT certifications. These are additional designations applicants can be considered for by parks that require it).

You will NOT be rated ineligible if you do not possess the optional certifications in your application.


1. Mandatory Requirements for Park Ranger (Protection):

A. Mandatory Minimum Age Requirement: This position has a mandatory requirement that applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

B. Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB): Applicants are required to pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) prior to entering law enforcement positions. The duties of this position require arduous physical exertion involving walking, running, lifting, standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. The Physical Efficiency Battery (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 the upper body strength for one repetition; 3) 1.5 mile run - measures cardio/respiratory fitness; 4) sit and reach - measures the flexibility in the lower back, legs and shoulders; and 5) body composition - measures the body fat. Prior to appointment, applicants will be tested in all five components, but only the agility run, bench press and 1.5 mile run will be measured for a passing score in the 25th percentile (age and gender adjusted) of these components. These procedures will ensure that law enforcement officers are capable of performing strenuous physical training and law enforcement duties. Applicants shall be disqualified for appointment if they fail to meet any physical requirements.

2. Specialized Experience and/or Education:

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

A. 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), performing work that provided broad knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management. Examples where this experience could have been gained include serving as a park guide or tour leader; conducting law enforcement or investigative work; responding to emergencies, archaeological or historical preservation work; forestry or fire management; or similar operations.
-OR-
B.
A 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work (one year of full time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours).
- OR-
C.
Equivalent combination of experience and education.

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

A. At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors), performing work that provided specific knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management. This experience could have been gained by informing visitors about organizational policies, rules, or laws; gathering information or collecting evidence as part of an investigation, monitoring or inspecting resources (e.g. buildings, roads, land, etc.) to identify potential hazards or illegal activities, performing emergency response, or other similar work.
-OR-
B.
You must possess one full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation (one year of full time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours).
-OR-
C.
Equivalent combination of experience and education.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.

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

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 the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

Further Recent Graduates Information:

This position is being filled under the DOI Recent Graduates Program that affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs.

The DOI Recent Graduates Program lasts for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help him/her acquire the competencies of the target position in which the he/she may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition.

Conversion Eligibility: Student Interns may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a career, career-conditional, or term appointment within 120 days of successful completion of the program.

Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Rigorous field work requires above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. This includes prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous activities requiring agility and dexterity. Duties often involve working in isolated outdoor environments while exposed to severe weather conditions. High stress situations may occur when dangerous persons must be physically confronted, subdued, and apprehended. Physical fitness requirements must be met prior to and on a continuing basis during employment.


WORK ENVIRONMENT: Duties require extended periods of outdoor work and exposure to conditions including temperatures well below freezing to 100+ degrees Fahrenheit. Investigations are conducted on foot, in four-wheel drive vehicles, or other forms of conveyance in remote backcountry settings. Emergency service and law enforcement work requires entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons, animals, and substances, and potential exposure to infectious diseases. Long periods of surveillance work may be required in cramped or unpleasant locations and under unpleasant conditions. A wide range of personal protective equipment and clothing is required to be used, some of which may be uncomfortable, hot or inconvenient to wear. Adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions is required.

Other Factors: This is a testing designation position (TDP) covered under the DOI Drug Free Workplace Program.

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Statement:The salary annotated on this announcement does not include the cost-of-living allowance, nor locality pay. Visit Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances to calculate locality pay.

COLA pay in Alaska is 4.40% with the exception of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, which is 2.86%.
COLA pay in Hawaii is 10.28% with the exception of Hawaii island, which is 4.42%.
COLA pay for Puerto is 3.13%
COLA pay for US Virgin Islands is 12.62%

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. 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 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 who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position.
  • Well Qualified applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Criminal Law
  • First Response
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Writing


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration, your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed by a team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who will determine whether to move your application packet forward. You may be contacted for an availability check and asked to SUBMIT A WRITING SAMPLE. Interviews will be conducted by a hiring panel.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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