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Park Ranger (Alpine Rescue and Mountaineering)(Seasonal)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service

Summary

Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027. but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Open to the first 100 applicants or until 10/26/2026 whichever comes first. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Overview

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Accepting applications
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$27.18 - $43.22 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Temporary - Not to Exceed 1039 Hours
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CAHQ-27-13080286-DE-DLB
Control number
889016500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is for Pacific West Region. Please refer to the "Location" section to see which National Parks are included on this announcement.

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Duties

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GS-7 duties:

  • The chief duties of this position include professional alpine mountaineering, aviation, technical rope rescue, avalanche forecasting, and emergency medical services. You participate as a team leader or member on patrols to climb any of the 25 main routes on Mount Rainier.
  • Leading technical rope rescue and helicopter rescues in an alpine mountaineering environment within Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Must be proficient as a backcountry skier or snowboarder.
  • Staffing front-country ranger stations and registering climbers where preventative search and rescue and resource protection messages are given.
  • Staffing climbing high camps including helping with general upkeep, cleaning, and sanitation of backcountry facilities.
  • Leading multi-day alpine mountaineering patrols at Mount Rainier and occasionally at other national parks.
Additional GS-9 duties:
  • Staffing high camps and performing climbing patrols on Mount Rainier. Conducting training and teaching advanced mountaineering techniques.
  • Performing alpine rescues, conducting emergency medical services, as well as a broad array of aviation/helicopter insertion and extraction techniques including Human External Cargo (short haul) operations.
  • Duties related to visitor services and resource protection make up a third of the position. The incumbent makes visitor contacts and ensures that visitors are complying with park regulations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
  • Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
    • Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing.
  • You may 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/or shift work.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license will be required in such cases.
    • You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
  • You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
  • You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

GS-7 Selective Factors - In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants must also possess the following selective factors to be considered for this position.
1. Emergency Medical Technician - Applicants must have a current Emergency Medical Technician or higher (EMT, Paramedic, etc.). You must include a copy of your certification with your application.
2. This position requires applicants to be a certified Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) or Helicopter All-Hazards Crewmember (HEAC). Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.
3. This position performs alpine rescue and mountaineering and requires applicants to have at least 20 professional ascents of routes on peaks over 14,000 feet where at least half the routes are typified by overwhelming glaciated terrain OR have completed an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) or IFMGA-affiliated (International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations) Advanced Alpine Guide Course or an Advanced Ski Guide Course. Applicants must document how they meet this requirement to be considered qualified for this position (best done in a separate climbing resume or log to reflect professional ascents). Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.

GS-9 Selective Factors - In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants must also possess the following selective factors to be considered for this position.
1. This position performs alpine rescue and mountaineering and requires applicants to have at least 20 professional ascents of routes on peaks over 14,000 feet where at least half the routes are typified by overwhelming glaciated terrain OR have completed an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) or IFMGA-affiliated (International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations) Advanced Alpine Guide Course or an Advanced Ski Guide Course. Applicants must document how they meet this requirement to be considered qualified for this position (best done in a separate climbing resume or log to reflect professional ascents). Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.
2. This position requires applicants to have an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification or higher through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or the equivalent through a State Emergency Medical Service Organization. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by entry on duty will receive no further consideration for this position.
3. United States Pro-1 Level Avalanche Certification - Applicants must enter on duty with a Pro-1 Level Avalanche Certification. If you are attending a course between the application period and entry on duty, you MUST indicate which organization will be providing the training and expected course completion date.

GS-7 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: 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. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full year of graduate study in one of the following fields: 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, behavior sciences, sociology or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration.
-OR-
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 and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide it by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

GS-9 EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience MUST include: 1) Climbing alpine mountaineering routes in a professional capacity (ex: Park Ranger, Mountain Guide, or Instructor); 2) Performing emergency medical services; and 3) Managing search and rescue activities. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the occupation. You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience as described above. You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.

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

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 the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for 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 salary range on this vacancy does not grant an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the NPS.

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Physical Demands: The work requires regularly climbing on steep, vertical, snow and icy surfaces (snowfields and glaciers) from sea level to the summit on Mount Rainier (14,500 feet) is often exhausting. Activities require: carrying heavy (50 lbs.) backpacks, lifting and carrying heavy (50 lbs.) objects, walking and/ or hiking and/or backcountry ski distances up to 15 miles per day, and working at night. Due to the nature of mountaineering, work can occur any time during the day, and emergencies can arise that require the employee to work through the night in an "initial attack" capacity. The incumbent should be able to climb from Paradise to Camp Muir in 3 hours or less in normal summer conditions. Remain in a physical condition that allows for this position's duties to be performed well, the employee must maintain a high level of physical fitness and exercise in extreme environments every week.

Working Conditions: Work is performed inside and outside. Weather conditions may include sub-freezing temperatures, severe winds with gusts as high as 100 mph, freezing rain and fog, snow, and intense sun and heat from solar radiation. High camps are situated at approximately 10,000 feet, and field activities will climb to altitudes of approximately 14,500 feet, and possible camp at that altitude. Terrain at work sites may include glaciers, crevasses, steep to vertical snow slopes, steep to overhanging ice cliffs, talus slopes, and vertical rock. Work conditions will require close occupancy with other rangers in the field for up to eight days in a row. Provisions will be packed to remote locations and cooking done communally. For longer trips, employees may need to melt snow and ice for water. Many nights during an eight-day shift will be spent on the mountain camping in a tent, sleeping bag, and using foam pads.

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.

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.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veterans' 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.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • First Response
  • Risk Management
  • Stamina
  • Teaching Others
  • Technical Competence

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified. To meet the definition of well-qualified, you must (1) score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire; (2) meet the minimum qualification requirements (education, experience or a combination therein), including any selective placement factors; and (3) be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry with reasonable accommodation, when applicable.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

National Park Service

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. Click here to learn more about the Department of the Interior and its bureaus.

The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work. Click here to learn more about the National Park Service.

Please visit find a park for additional park information.

Agency contact information

DOI Seasonal Temp Team
Email
seasonaltempteam@ios.doi.gov
Address
Seasonal Staffing Office-Pacific West Region
333 Bush Street - Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104
US

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