Park Ranger

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.

GS-05: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes (1) Experience in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work as qualifying with specific examples such as park guide or tour leader, (2) Law enforcement or investigative work, (3) Archeological or historical preservation research work, (4) Forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area, or (5) 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.

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. Time in Grade Requirement for GS-05: Without time restriction, if filled no more than two grades above the lowest grade held with the past 52 weeks.

Specialized Experience for GS-07: One year of specialized experience which includes: (1) Assisting in conserving and preserving natural and cultural resources, (2) Assisting in various aspects of recreation management, (3) Recommending or assisting in facility improvements or (4) Enforcing Title 36 CFR by educating the general public and visitors to the park through project lands patrol.

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.achsnatl.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.

Specialized Experience for GS-09: One year of specialized experience which includes: (1) Assisting with park maintenance activities, (2) Assisting in enforcing public safety programs, (3) Assisting in preparing annual operations and maintenance budgets for assigned programs, or (4) Making recommendations for changes in facilities and operational procedures. 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.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent. For GS-05 - must have 52 weeks of Federal service to at least GS-04. For GS-07 - must have 52 weeks of Federal service to at least GS-05 For GS-09 - must have 52 weeks of Federal service to at least GS-07.

Coordinate environmental awareness events or water safety programs.,Conduct outreach activities by working with stakeholders of the Corps mission and operations.,Draft plans for facility improvements that are consistent with current and future demands.,Coordinate the short range planning, draft budget development and execution of activities related to the project programs.,Prevent unauthorized use, trespass, and destruction of park and project property.,Enforce Title 36 CFR by educating the public on project purpose, conditions, policies, and regulations.,Enforce a public safety program for the park or project that includes surveillance, maintenance of buoys, signs, and fences.,Protect natural or cultural resources from degradation due to visitor use or illegal activities,Deal regularly with the public in high stress emotional and potentially volatile situations.,Collect recreation use fees, and account for funds in accordance with established regulations and policies.,Update Project Safety Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, and Emergency Operations Plans for the recreational aspect of the project.,Analyze the effectiveness and visitor appeal of the interpretive programs and literature.,Develop park program improvements related to visitor engagement, including the selection of new media or techniques.,Convey project and park information to public guests as well as local, state, and federal agencies through brochures, displays, news releases, websites and other social media formats.,Meet with public, state, local, and national stakeholders to explain programs, promote interests in activities, and explain management policies.,Update and review Standard Operating Procedures related to recreation and natural resources management.,Issue written warnings and or citations to stop volatile behavior and resolve the situation.,Complete incident reports to describe or document events, resource conditions or violations.,Coordinate the project volunteer program.,Plan, promote and execute special programs such as environmental awareness events and safety programs.