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Park Ranger

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Seattle, Kansas City, and Omaha Districts. See Additional Information Section for more details.

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves as a Park Ranger responsible for forming and executing park resource and interpretive plans and programs. Promotes environmental, conservation, preservation, and public use programs.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/12/2026 to 02/23/2026
Salary
$40,736 to - $97,087 per year

See Additional Information Section for salary ranges for each duty location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 11
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Centerville, IA
Warsaw, MO
Crofton, NE
Bridgeport, WA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Temporary travel for duty is no more than 10%.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CERH-26-12887943-DHA
Control number
857634000

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Duties

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  • For the GS-05:
  • Oversee interpretive activities, explain physical features of project.
  • Perform recreation area duties such as visitation and utilization data collection, explaining regulations, and answering routine questions.
  • May issue citations and written warnings when visitor violations are encountered.
  • For the GS-07:
  • Assists in planning, developing, and implementing the Interpretive Program at the Visitor Center.
  • Manages a volunteer program to include assisting with recruiting volunteer positions and assisting with training and building volunteer schedule.
  • Patrol recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas or water areas to prevent unauthorized use, compliance of visitor activities, and prevent misuse or damage of property.
  • Checks and observes project facilities for potential security problems.
  • For the GS-09:
  • Serve as the Interpretive Specialist for the project assisting with the overall planning, development, and execution of the interpretive program.
  • Conduct public relations services for the general public and for special groups.
  • As a citation ranger, patrol project land and water areas enforcing rules and regulations, issuing warnings and/or citations when visitor violations occur.
  • May be required to perform or direct daily and scheduled maintenance of park grounds and facilities.
  • For the GS-11:
  • Serve as the Senior Ranger and Team Leader of the Interpretive Service and Outreach Programs (ISOP) and Visitor Center and technical authority for the programs.
  • Manage the Visitor Center and established policies for its operation.
  • Participate in development of long- and short-range recreation management programs and activities.
  • Patrol recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas or water areas to prevent unauthorized use, compliance of visitor activities, and prevent misuse or damage of property.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Must obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.
  • Obtain and maintain a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat license within 1 year of being appointed.
  • Required to wear the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger uniform.
  • Must wear appropriate safety gear and protective clothing as required.
  • Required to work in adverse weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, wind, etc.).
  • May be required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays depending on the needs of the project.
  • The physical requirements of this position may include prolonged standing, bending, walking through rough and uneven terrain, climbing ladders, avoiding obstructions, and carrying or moving objects 40 lbs. without assistance.
  • May require a pre-employment physical and pre-employment drug test.
  • Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and blood-borne pathogen training. (Agency will provide)
  • Must receive a minimum of 24 hours of personal protection/unarmed self-defense, situational evaluation and tactical communication training. (Agency will provide)

Qualifications

This is a bundled recruitment with multiple hiring offices. We are hiring for a GS-0025-05, GS-0025-05/07, GS-0025-07, GS-0025-09, and a GS-0025-09/11. See additional information section for detailed hiring information for each District.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

For the GS-05:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes performing park-related duties in park operations, such as campground reservations, fee collection; park maintenance, such as, fire ring maintenance, campground cleaning; or park rules enforcement. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

Education: Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours of related course work in 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.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages.

For the GS-07:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes providing orientations for project programs and services (interpretive programs); monitoring visitor activity and coordinating recreational services; and enforcing park rules and regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education with major study in 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.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:
(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/).

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

For the GS-09:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes administering natural resources and/or outdoor recreation programs and enforcing park rules and regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education with major study in 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.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

For the GS-11:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes planning, administering, and managing natural resources management and outdoor recreation management programs; enforcement of park rules and regulations; conducting interpretive programs; and managing visitor center facilities. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education with major study in 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.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled telework".
  • The following incentives MAY BE authorized: Recruitment Incentive, Relocation Incentive, and/or Student Loan Repayment.
  • *NOTE* These positions may be filled at the GS-5, GS-5/7, GS-7, GS-9, or GS-9/11 grade level as identified below by duty location. Selection at the singular grades of GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9 grade levels do not confer non-competitive promotion to the next higher grade.
  • Kansas City District Recruiting for the GS-05/07 (promotion potential) and GS-07 (full performance):
    • Salary Range GS-05: Warsaw, MO: $40,736 - $52,957
    • Salary Range GS-07: Warsaw, MO and Centerville, IA: $50,460- $65,599
  • Omaha District Recruiting for the GS-9/11 (promotion potential):
    • Salary Range GS-09: Crofton, NE: $61,722 - $80,234
    • Salary Range GS-11: Cofton, NE: $74,678 - $97,087
  • Seattle District Recruiting for the GS-5 (full performance) and GS-09 (full performance):
    • Salary Range GS-05: Seattle, WA: $45,785 - $59,521
    • Salary Range GS-09: Enumclaw, WA: $69,373 - $90,190
    • Salary Range GS-09: Bridgeport, WA: $61,722 - $80,243
  • For positions fill with "promotion potential", management may select at any grade level. Noncompetitive promotion to target grade.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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