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Supervisory Park Ranger (Chief Ranger-Protection)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Shenandoah National Park
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position serves as the Chief of the Division of Ranger Activities at Shenandoah National Park. The Division includes operational services that support resource protection, resource education and public use management services through law enforcement, wildland fire, search and rescue. emergency medical services, dispatch communications, fee collection, and other related activities. The Chief Park Ranger is responsible for the supervision and management of all personnel, funds, and assets.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/12/2025 to 09/02/2025
Salary
$105,383 to - $137,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Luray, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to occasionally travel for this position. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent - (Career, Career-Conditional)
Work schedule
Full-time - You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NE-1612-SHEN-25-12780388-MP
Control number
843084400

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Duties

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As the Chief Ranger, GS-0025-13, your typical work assignments include the following:

  • Manage a comprehensive park visitor and resource protection program that complies with policy in areas of public safety and resource protection, including Law Enforcement (LE), Search and Rescue (SAR), and Emergency Services (EMS).
  • Coordinates with state, local and federal resources to ensure response readiness and mutual aid responses within the park for SAR, EMS, law enforcement and wildland fire.
  • Performs all administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised; ensures training and compliance with employee/visitor safety programs; fosters open communication; establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff; work with staff to execute established work plans, establish work schedules and priorities, applies equal opportunity principles and requirements, resolve grievances, provide advice and counsel related to work and administrative matters.
  • Provides technical assistance and oversight to staff to develop written reports for complex incidents involving trauma and medical emergencies, visitor fatalities, remote search and technical rescues in park Wilderness, custodial arrests, law enforcement reports, evidence collections, and suspect interviews in support of criminal investigations.
  • Manages ONPS budgets, FLREA, philanthropic funds, and other non-ONPS fund sources through annual and long-range budget and position management plans.
  • Maintains accountability for funds and equipment within law, policy, and regional protocols/directives. Ensures projects are on schedule for appropriate fiscal year obligations.
  • Cultivates positive relationships with law enforcement / emergency services personnel within Federal and State government agencies, local municipalities, and private and public groups and individuals; shares information, intelligence and other related law enforcement activities with partners.
  • Exercise tact, diplomacy, cultural competence, and empathy to provide information and assistance and resolve conflicts, while interacting with management, staff, park partners, and the public.
Secondary Positions: This is a secondary-administrative law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U. S. C. 8412 (d) (FERS). PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may meet qualification requirements but may not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If such an applicant is selected, they will be placed in the regular retirement system. To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under CSRS, an employee must transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position. To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions). You must let this office know if you are in a Primary position.


POSITION LOCATION: Shenandoah National Park preserves and protects more than 300 square miles of nationally significant natural and cultural resources, scenic beauty, and congressionally designated wilderness within Virginia's northern Blue Ridge Mountains; and provides a broad range of opportunities for public enjoyment, recreation, inspiration, and stewardship. Within just 90 miles of Washington D.C. the Park provides visitors the ability to explore mountain peaks, hidden hollows, cascading streams, accessible wilderness, and stunning natural beauty. Approximately 40% of the Park is designated wilderness with over 500 miles of hiking trails and the iconic Skyline Drive, SHEN was established as an eastern Park that provided a "western Park experience". Due to the Park's easy accessibility to D.C and other highly populated areas along the east coast, visitation exceeds 1.4 million visitors annually which results in significant resource protection and visitor management issues and incidents.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Subject to pre-employment physical and drug testing.
  • Must possess a Type I Law Enforcement Commission.
  • Direct Deposit: New employees of the Department of the Interior must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of net pay within 30 days of entrance on duty.
  • Time-In-Grade: 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) appointment.
  • Driver's License: 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 may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • Selectees may be expected to travel in (not pilot) a small single-engine aircraft.
  • Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • Government housing is not available.
  • Probationary Period: If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
  • Financial Filer Requirement: The position to which you will be appointed is subject to a financial disclosure reporting requirement and you will be required to complete a new entrant Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of your appointment.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/02/2025.

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.

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

  • Law Enforcement Commission: Must currently possess, previously held (within the past three years), or be able to obtain a valid Type I National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent, by the closing date of this announcement 09/02/2025. More information can be found in the 'Education' section of this job announcement.
  • Valid State Driver's License: Must have a current, valid State Driver's License by 09/02/2025.
  • Primary Law Enforcement Experience: This is a covered secondary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Applicants for this position must possess experience gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement position.
- AND -

Applicants must possess 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-12 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). 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: managing or leading law enforcement and resource protection program; evaluating law enforcement program activities based on funding to determining objectives, amount and location of work, as well as type of resources needed for the program; interpreting regulations and policy directives related to law enforcement and natural resource protection; reviewing law enforcement case reports to ensure compliance with policy, mutual aid agreements, cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding; investigating criminal activity, conducting investigations of applicable Federal or state laws, and performing training / instructor responsibilities. You must include hours per week worked.
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

Additional Information:

Law Enforcement Commission: This position requires applicants to possess, previously held (within the past three years), or be able to possess by this vacancy closing 09/02/2025, a valid Type I or higher level National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Commission (or equivalent).

Physical Efficiency Battery: Prior to appointment, the people selected for these positions 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 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.

Firearm Proficiency: Selectee will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.

Security Investigation: 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.

Physical Fitness: 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.

Drug Test: 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.

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 National Park Service 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 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.

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: The position is required to meet medical standards and participate in a physical fitness program as described in RM-57. Work frequently requires sitting at a desk or table and conducting business in an office environment. Assignments often require working long hours during emergencies and in stressful situations. The work infrequently includes long periods of standing, hiking, and/or climbing in much case on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain.

Strenuous exertion is sometimes required in law enforcement, search and rescue, and medical and related emergency activities. Duties can involve performing physically rigorous assignments. often times in isolated outdoor environments, frequently while exposed to severe weather conditions. This position must be able to maintain the physical conditioning and fitness standard required to maintain a full law enforcement commission.

Because of the complexity of the work, this position must be capable of thinking and remembering details of numerous programs~ projects, and situations over any given workday. The work often requires the endurance of long hours and stressful situations during emergency operations. Some travel to locations within the United States is required in the conduct of business.

Working Conditions: The work environment ranges from sedentary office work to fieldwork with exposure to severe natural elements. Work is done in temperatures which may range from below freezing to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and may be performed in high humidity, snow, sleet, rain and high winds and at elevations ranging from 500 feet to over 4.000 feet above sea level. Managerial demands occasionally require extended hours. both day and night. and often with short deadlines which can cause elevated stress levels.

Telework: The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

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, and the result of the SME Panel Resume review.

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'.

Application Questionnaire: Applicants must complete a screen out questionnaire as part of the application process. Applicants identified as meeting the basic requirement / minimum qualifications for the position may move on to the SME Resume Panel review.

SME Panel Review: An SME Panel will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the competencies stated below. Only the first 2 pages of your resume will be reviewed. Applicants that are found qualified will move on to the next phase of the hiring process. 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 on the following competencies:

  • Financial Management
  • Managing Human Resources
  • Partnering
  • Planning and Evaluating


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.This position requires successful completion of screen out questionnaire and SME Panel Resume Review. These assessments will measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

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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