Park Ranger (Preventative Search and Rescue) (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Thousand Oaks, CA

20d • Onsite

About The Position

Park Rangers (Preventative Search and Rescue, or PSAR) perform duties focused on preventing search-and-rescue incidents. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for the Seasonal Staffing Office—Pacific West Region is March through July 2027, though timing may vary due to weather, project needs, or funding.

Rangers conduct scheduled and special-purpose patrols across park areas, including backcountry, front country, wilderness, trails, campgrounds, parking lots, shorelines, rivers, docks, roads, and concessions. They educate visitors about safety and appropriate use of park resources, respond to emergencies, and provide medical care within the scope of their training and certification. Depending on assignment and authorization, duties may also include supporting vehicle-crash response, search-and-rescue and helicopter operations, visitor assists, traffic management, and litter carryout; operating patrol or emergency vehicles; maintaining equipment and supplies; and supporting PSAR educational activities.

At GS-07, rangers independently determine patrol routes and prepare for patrols based on the needs, topography, and requirements of each assignment. At GS-09, rangers may provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to wilderness, PSAR, and other visitor-safety staff and volunteers, and help coordinate safe, consistent field activities.

This is seasonal federal employment. Work may involve on-call duty, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work. Some duty locations require particular emergency medical certifications or a medical physical. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed, and occupancy of government quarters may be required. Work involves extensive standing and walking, sometimes over rough terrain or inclines while carrying backpacks, tools, or rescue equipment, and regular exposure to temperature extremes, confined spaces, or adverse weather.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirements.
• Must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.
• May be required to occupy government quarters.
• May be required to wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and/or shift work.
• May be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
• If required to operate a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties, must have a valid driver's license; must be at least 18 to operate government vehicles.
• May be required to complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Must be at least 18 years old, or meet one of the listed exceptions for applicants aged 16 or 17 involving education, vocational training, school-authorized employment, or formal student employment.
• Some locations require emergency medical certifications such as EMT or higher, BLS/CPR, WFR, WEMR, or WEMT; location-specific requirements are provided in the Announcement Questionnaire.
• Some locations may require a medical physical before appointment.
• GS-05 qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04; or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related coursework; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• GS-07 qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05; or one full academic year of related graduate education (18 semester hours); or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• GS-09 qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 in the Federal service; or two full academic years of related graduate education; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For specialized experience credit, the resume must clearly describe duties, employment dates, and hours worked; resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages.
• Climbing Specialty applicants must document expertise climbing 5.11 and A2 routes, including multi-day Grade VI rock climbs.
• Multi-Night Solo Backpacking applicants must document multi-night solo trips in remote wilderness or backcountry, including navigation, route finding, self-sufficient travel, and camping.
• Mounted specialty applicants must document horsemanship experience, such as handling, caring for, packing, and/or riding horses.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scheduled and special-purpose PSAR patrols by foot, vehicle, or other appropriate means in park areas.
• Provide visitors with safety information and education, obtain their cooperation, and facilitate safe use of park resources.
• Respond to emergency incidents and provide emergency medical care within the scope of current training and certification.
• Assist with motor vehicle crashes, litter carryout, search-and-rescue operations, helicopter operations, visitor assists, traffic management, and other emergency responses as needed.
• Operate emergency or patrol vehicles when trained and authorized.
• Assist with management and maintenance of division equipment, including rescue gear, medical supplies, communications and office equipment, vehicles, equipment caches, and related facilities.
• Provide administrative, operational, and logistical support to PSAR-related educational activities.
• At GS-07, independently determine patrol routes and prepare for patrols based on specific needs, topography, and requirements.
• At GS-09, provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to wilderness, PSAR, and other visitor-safety staff and volunteers.
• At GS-09, assist with coordinating field activities and ensuring work is performed safely and consistently with established procedures.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available; eligibility depends on position type and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed