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Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position serves as a Supervisory Park Ranger in the Division of Visitor and Resource Protection at New River Gorge National Park and is assigned to the Sandstone (South) District. Extensive field work is required of this position in order for incumbent to maintain familiarity with field conditions and oversee district operations and to insure professional management standards are maintained.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/22/2025 to 09/08/2025
Salary
$73,939 to - $96,116 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Beaver, WV
Lansing, WV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
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
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NE-1612-NERI-25-12781060-MP
Control number
844147400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: All current or former career/career-conditional federal employees with competitive/reinstatement eligibility; Eligible applicants under: Veterans' Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); VRA; 30% Disabled Veterans; CTAP/ICTAP within the local commuting area. Special Hiring Authorities include Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA); Former Public Land Corps (PLC) members, Schedule A, Peace Corps and VISTA, Military Spouse, OPM Interchange Change Agreement, etc.

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Duties

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MAJOR DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITTED TO THE FOLLOWING:

  • As a Supervisory Park Ranger you will lead daily operations and direct the completion of collateral duties related to training and leadership.
  • You will supervise GL-9 permanent and seasonal law enforcement rangers as well as non-commissioned staff and park volunteers.
  • You will conduct and supervise the detection of criminal activity, investigation of criminal violations, and custodial arrests.
  • You may prepare and execute warrants, interview witnesses, and detain suspects.
  • You will ensure the completion of comprehensive written reports.
  • You will conduct and/or supervise gatherings of law enforcement, security, and intelligence information relating to the park, its facilities, events, mission, or visitors.
  • You will set work goals and ensure all employees receive required training in a timely manner; identify operational requirements and make recommendations to your supervisor regarding programming, budgeting, training, administration, and evaluation of operations; and schedule patrols to maximize visitor contact with special consideration to problem areas.
  • You will supervise and lead complex law enforcement, all hazard, emergency medical, and search and rescue operations as well as provide emergency medical services to park visitors and residents.
  • Participate in all aspects of employee supervision including performance planning and appraisals, employee recognition, and employee counseling.
  • Develop plans for protection of persons, property, and resources.
  • Advises personnel on law enforcement, patrol, and investigation activates based on law, policy and technical legal precedent.
  • Supervises investigation of crimes ranging from felonies to petty offenses.
  • Investigates issues which may be of interest to the general public and the news media.


REQUIREMENTS:
  • TYPE I LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION
  • NATIONAL REGISTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER - BASIC: Must possess or be able to successfully obtain and maintain a National Registry Emergency Medical Responder-Basic certification within one year.
  • WILDLAND FIRE CERTIFICATION: Must possess or be able to successfully obtain and maintain, at a minimum, Wildland Fire Fighter Type II certification within one year.
  • FIREARM PROFICIENCY: Selectee(s) will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.
  • SECURITY INVESTIGATION: 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 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.
  • PHYSICAL EFFICIENCY BATTERY: If applicable, prior to appointment, the applicant selected for this position must be determined physically fit by an authorized physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties, pass a medical examination, and may have to 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.
  • ARDUOUS WORK CAPACITY PACK TEST: Wildland firefighting and other forms of field work demand a high level of fitness to safely perform arduous, day-long work in difficult environmental conditions, including steep terrain, extreme temperatures, altitude, and smoke, and to meet unforeseen emergencies. This position requires that you pass a Pack Test, a job-related test of the capacity for arduous work. It consists of a 3-mile hike with a 45-pound pack over level terrain. A time of 45 minutes, the passing score for the test, approximates an aerobic fitness score of 45, the established standard for firefighters. Applicants shall be disqualified for appointment if they fail to meet any physical requirement. Probationary or seasonal employment is subject to termination for failure to meet the 25th percentile in each of the identified component being measured.
  • MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: Applicants must be at least 21 years old.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Continued Requirements:

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • 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.
  • DRUG TESTING: 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.
  • 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.
  • UNIFORM: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • WORK SCHEDULE: You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • 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.
  • TRAVEL: You may be expected to travel up to 25% or less for this position.
  • 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-09/08/2025-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.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS - SUPERVISORY PARK RANGER (PROTECTION), GS-0025-11:

  • MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT - This position has a mandatory requirement that applicants must be 21 years of age or older.
  • LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION: Must currently hold, or have held within the past 3 years, a full (Type I) NPS Law Enforcement Commission or be qualified to receive a full NPS Type I Commission by EOD (entrance on duty) based upon having completed approved NPS training as outlined by policy.
  • NATIONAL REGISTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER - BASIC: Must possess or be able to successfully obtain and maintain a National Registry Emergency Medical Responder-Basic certification within one year.
  • WILDLAND FIRE CERTIFICATION: Must possess or be able to successfully obtain and maintain, at a minimum, Wildland Fire Fighter Type II certification within one year.
  • MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE (MEA): 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.
  • PRIMARY LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE: must possess substantial, documented experience in a primary law enforcement position in the Federal government, or equivalent documented experience outside the Federal government.
AND

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/GL-09 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 could include: Park Guide or tour leader; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological 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; or other similar work. (YOU MUST INCLUDE HOURS PER WEEK WORKED).
OR
  • EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least three full years of graduate level study leading to a Doctorate, Ph.D., or equivalent degree at an accredited college or university in directly-related fields such as natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, anthropology, park and recreation management; law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, or sociology. (YOU MUST INCLUDE TRANSCRIPTS).
OR
  • COMBINATION: Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 36 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then, take the number of months of experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (YOU MUST INCLUDE TRANSCRIPTS).

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.

CTAP / ICTAP: 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) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following:

OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP or 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible.

If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).

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.

ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS: 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 work requires to incumbent to wear personal protective equipment and law enforcement gear that, on a regular and recurring basis, includes a fully outfitted duty belt and a ballistic vest. The incumbent is required to wear specialized emergency rescue equipment, such as riot gear, a rifled plate carrier, and wildland fire gear. The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion that, on a regular and recurring basis, includes walking and running over rough and uneven surfaces; moving across loose rock along the river; carrying heavy loads of gear and equipment that can exceed 50 pounds; and crouching or crawling in tight or restrictive spaces. The work requires a fitness level sufficient to apprehend a fleeing suspect on foot and defend the incumbent against physical attack. The incumbent is required to work shifts that include all hours of the day and night; the work can subject the incumbent to periods of loud noise; and the work can subject the incumbent to contact with individuals who have communicable diseases. As a commissioned Law Enforcement Officer for the NPS, the incumbent must meet established physical fitness and arduous duty medical standards. Additionally, the incumbent must meet all physical fitness and medical standards relevant to wildland fire duties and responsibilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS: The work is predominantly performed out of doors in a mountainous river corridor environment with a moderate mix of required office work. The field work is accomplished on land and water by foot and by law enforcement patrol vehicle, boat, bicycle and UTV/ATV. The field work can range from hot and humid in the summer with temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit to cold and blustery in the winter with subzero temperatures. The work environment is stressful and regularly and routinely involves a high risk of exposure to hostile and dangerous law enforcement situations such as defending oneself or protecting others from physical attack; actively seeking out persons who may be armed and dangerous; and responding to emergency calls or intrusion alarm activations. When performing wildland fires duties, the work environment involves high risk of exposure to severe heat, fire, and toxic chemicals/materials.

Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, You Must Submit ALL SF-50s and Performance Information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance consistent with your SF_50s.

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 additional assessments required for this position.

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.

APPLICATION QUESTIONAIRE: Applicants must complete a screen out questionnaire as part of the application process. Applicants identified as meeting the basic education requirement and 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. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed below that are required to successfully perform the job.

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:

  • Criminal Law
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Managing Human Resources
  • Program Management


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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