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Park Ranger (Protection)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Visitor and Resource Protection - Filling positions at various park within the National Park Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Location Negotiable after Selection: - For more information on NPS law enforcement & to view available locations, see "Find Positions and Locations": Become A Law Enforcement Ranger

Anticipated Entry on Duty: Fiscal Year 2025 Classes (approximately November 2024 & after)

Open to the first 450 applicants or 06/03/2024whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/20/2024 to 05/25/2024
This job will close when we have received 450 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$48,809 to - $79,954 per year

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

Pay scale & grade
GL 5 - 9
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
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 agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
WO-1614-VRP-24-12387020-ST
Control number
792042500

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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. See the "Additional Information" section for more information.

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

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, and 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 GL-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.
Additional duties for GL-9:
  • The incumbent will independently conduct law enforcement investigations into misdemeanor, felony violations and fatalities.
  • The incumbent will provide specialized knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management.
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Other Position Requirement Information:
  • Prior to selection or appointment, you MUST be determined physically fit by an authorized physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties, pass a medical examination, and pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB). 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 upper body strength for one repetition; 3) 1.5 mile run - measures cardio/respiratory fitness; 4) sit and reach - measures flexibility in the lower back, legs and shoulders; and 5) body composition - measures body fat. Prior to appointment, selectees will be tested in all five components, and must pass the agility run, bench press and 1.5 mile run in the 25th percentile. 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.
  • If selected, you will initially report to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) located in Glynco, Georgia. You will be required to successfully complete law enforcement basic training which is approximately 18 weeks in duration. Upon FLETC basic training completion, you will be detailed to a designated park for 11 weeks to complete required FTEP on-the-job training. You will be officially assigned to your permanent duty location once FLETC training is successfully completed.
  • To learn about Ranger-Specific Basic Training and Land Management Police Training go to this Reference
  • Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
  • Government housing may be available.
  • 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 may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • 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.
  • Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Statement: The salary annotated on this announcement does not include the cost-of-living allowance, nor locality pay.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National
  • Appointment subject to background investigation & favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Complete the initial online & USAHire Assessment.
  • Subject to a pre-employment medical exam & drug test; must pass the Physical Efficiency Battery.
  • Must successfully complete agency-sponsored training to obtain an NPS Type I Law Enforcement Commission.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appt.
  • Selectee(s) will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties & maintain firearm proficiency.
  • Selectee(s) must be free of any domestic violence convictions. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation & favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
  • 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.
  • Will be required to wear a uniform & comply with the NPS uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • If you are a new employee in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • 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.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-06/03/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

In addition to the standard 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 within your resume. You will NOT be rated ineligible if you do not possess the optional language.

  • Spanish
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 this position 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.

Mandatory Requirements for Park Ranger (Protection):

1. Selective Placement Factors: Applicants must meet ALL of the following to qualify:
  • This is a primary position covered by enhanced retirement provisions which stipulate mandatory retirement at age 57 after 20 years of service. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, and must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has 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 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service.
  • Must have a current, valid State Driver's License by entrance on duty.
2. Applicants must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

GL-05 level:
A. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GL/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; assisting with law enforcement or investigative work; assisting with emergency response; assisting with archaeological or historical preservation work; assisting with forestry or fire and/or management; or similar operations. -OR-
B. Education: A 4- year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of course work directly related to the occupation (see Education section - related education; one year of full time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours). -OR-
C. Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

GL-07 level:
A. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GL/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 wildland firefighting; or other similar work. -OR-
B. Education: You must possess one full academic year of graduate education directly related to the occupation (see Education section - related education; one year of full time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours). -OR-
C. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA is based on: 1) class standing, 2) grade-point average, or 3) honor society membership. Specific requirements are: 1) Class Standing: Upper third of graduating class based on completed courses; 2a) Grade Point Average: 3.0 or higher as recorded on official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education; 2b) based on courses completed during the final full 2 years of curriculum; or 2c) 3.5 or higher based on average of courses completed in the specific major field of study; or 3) Honor Society Membership: Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society listed in the Association of College Honor Societies, Booklet of Information, and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision).-OR-
D. Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

GL-09 level:
A. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GL/GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors), performing work that provided specialized knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management. Examples where this experience could have been gained performing law enforcement or investigative work; emergency response management work; formal interpretation and education regarding park resources; archaeological or historical preservation work; forestry and/or fire management work; 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; or other similar work. -OR-
B. Education: You must possess 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree directly related to the occupation (see Education section - related education; one year of full time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours). -OR-
C. Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

Specialized Experience - MUST include hours per week worked in your resume.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid & 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, & skills and can provide valuable training & experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Related Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- 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 provide transcripts if you are claiming you meet the qualifications based on 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 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

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.

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 NPS 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 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.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Physical Demands: Requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as running in pursuits or emergency responses, long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, and similar activities, on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain. Strenuous exertion is frequently required in search and rescue, medical and related emergency. Lifting or carrying equipment weighing over 50 pounds, such as emergency equipment, or search and rescue equipment is required. In some assignments heavy packs may have to be carried long distances over mountainous, desert, or snow-covered terrain.

Duties involve performing physically rigorous assignments, often in isolated outdoor environments, frequently while exposed to severe weather conditions. Requires common physical characteristics and abilities in agility and dexterity and the strength to pursue, apprehend, and detain uncooperative suspects. Required to meet and continuously maintain the physical/medical standards as set forth in the requirements of D.O. #57. There is a physical, mental and emotional high stress component to much of the incumbent's work assignment.

Working Conditions: The work is performed outdoors in all kinds of weather and climatic conditions for various hours of the day and night and for prolonged periods during emergency situations. Frequently exposed to high-risk and potentially dangerous situations in law enforcement and emergency situations requiring use of a wide range of personal protective gear, adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions. Long periods of surveillance work may be required in cramped, or unpleasant locations and under unpleasant conditions. Shift work is often required. Required to operate motor vehicles of various types. Emergency law enforcement operations will require entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons; animals; and substances, and potential exposure to infectious diseases.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Bargaining Union Status Code or Union eligibility is dependent upon the location and grade.

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 who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

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), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:

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

Performance Appraisal - Required for ALL Applicants:
Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.

If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

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