Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all US Citizens and 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).

This position serves as a temporary Level II law enforcement commissioned park ranger at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The position may be duty stationed at Munising, MI OR Grand Marais, MI. Duties may include vehicle patrols of park roads and facilities, foot patrols of back-country trails and woodlands, canoe / kayak patrols of rivers and lakes, powerboat operations on Lake Superior under the supervision of experienced boat operators, visitor orientation, emergency medical care, search and rescue operations, and wild-land fire suppression. Back-country patrol operations may include spending multiple nights tent camping. Incumbent may be assigned to Homeland Security details at other locations throughout the country for short periods of time (2-3 weeks). Incumbent may serve as a designated government credit card holder. Incumbent will operate motor vehicles in various traffic conditions and may serve as a designated Class D Fee Collection Officer. Incumbent may be assigned to work at other locations throughout the Lakeshore as needed.

At the GS-07 level, in addition to the duties listed above: May be responsible for campground and fee compliance oversight. Incumbent may lead volunteers and other employees in accomplishment of resource and visitor protection activities. Incumbent may provide oversight and informal instruction in boat operation techniques on Lake Superior. Duties may include structural fire prevention or pre-suppression activities.

Physical Demands: Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Work requires 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 involve performing physically rigorous assignments, oftentimes in isolated outdoor environments, frequently while exposed to severe weather conditions. Dangerous persons must be physically confronted, subdued, and apprehended many of whom are known to carry weapons. There is a high-stress component associated with much of the incumbent's work assignment. 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 in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Investigations are conducted on foot, in four-wheel drive vehicles, or other forms of conveyance in remote back country 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 and work, some of which may be uncomfortable, hot or inconvenient to wear. Adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions is required.

Several positions possible. Positions will be filled at either the GS-5 or the GS-7 level, depending upon selectee's qualifications and park funding availability. All positions may not be filled or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions have no known promotion potential, if you want to be considered for a higher grade, you must apply for the higher grade. These positions may be duty stationed at either Munising, MI OR Grand Marais, MI. The employee must be able and willing to work anywhere within the lakeshore.

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is May - November, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 15, 2022. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Must possess a Type II or higher Law Enforcement Commission.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Selectee will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.
• Selectee must be free of any domestic violence convictions. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to undergo periodic medical examinations throughout employment.
• You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your 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 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 shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/07/2021-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 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.

Selective Factors: Applicants must meet ALL of the following to qualify:

• Type II (seasonal) or higher National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent, by entry on duty date. More information can be found in the 'Education' section of this job announcement.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have a current, valid State Driver's License by entry on duty date.

- AND -

To qualify at the GS-05 level, applicants must possess at least one of the following minimum 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). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: law enforcement or investigative work; emergency services (emergency medical, search and rescue, emergency dispatch, lifeguard); park guide or tour leader; resource management related to natural and cultural resources (museum technician, biological science technician, archeological technician, etc.); fire management (wildland and/or structural); assist in the management, information dissemination, or the carrying out of programs in a park, conservation reserve or similar area (fee collection, entrance station, backcountry office, visitor use assistant, visitor information desk, campground ranger). You must include hours per week worked on your resume.
• EDUCATION: Successful completion of a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree (or higher level 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. 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. 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. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

• Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. The combination must total 100 percent to qualify.

To qualify at the GS-07 level, applicants must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

• EXPERIENCE: 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). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: law enforcement or investigative work; emergency services (emergency medical, search and rescue, emergency dispatch, lifeguard); park guide or tour leader; resource management related to natural and cultural resources (museum technician, biological science technician, archeological technician, etc.); fire management (wildland and/or structural); assist in the management, information dissemination, or the carrying out of programs in a park, conservation reserve or similar area (fee collection, entrance station, backcountry office, visitor use assistant, visitor information desk, campground ranger). You must include hours per week worked on your resume.
• EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full academic year of graduate education in a directly-related field 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. One year of full time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours. You must include transcripts.
• EDUCATION - Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree with major study in a related field (at least 24 hours) AND the following Superior Academic Achievement standards: A standing in the upper third of your graduating class in college, university, or major subdivision, based on completed courses; OR a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) for all courses completed (a) for the full 4-year degree; or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; OR a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B+ or better) for all courses completed in a qualifying major field of study as identified above, either; (a) for the full 4-year degree; or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; OR election to membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies (other than freshman societies) which meet the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies. You MUST provide a copy of your transcripts and documentation to show how you qualify for Superior Academic Achievement.

-OR-

• Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. The combination must total 100 percent to qualify. Education must be at the graduate level to combine.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS: This is a highly desirable skill and applicants who possess this skill will receive additional points during the scoring process. In order to receive the additional points the tasking or skill needs to be documented in the resume. If the tasking or skill is not documented in the resume the applicant will not receive the additional points.
Quality Ranking Factor: Motorboat Operator: Currently possess Motorboat Operator Certification (MOCC) or Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification (MOICC), or equivalent training.
Quality Ranking Factor: Emergency Response: Currently possess an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) or higher of emergency medical certification (you must indicate type of certificate, where obtained, and expiration date on your resume).
Quality Ranking Factor: Firefighter Type II: Have served as a Firefighter Type II and/or possess Firefighter Type II certification (Wildland firefighters)depending on management needs.

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.

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 Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.

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), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11298953, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position.

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. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed below that are required to successfully perform the job.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Criminal Law
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Oral Communication
• Restraint and Self-Defense
• Stress Tolerance
• Technical Competence
• Writing

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.

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.