Park Ranger (Protection) (Seasonal)

National Park Service•Grand Marais, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Park Rangers (Protection) enforce laws and regulations to protect visitors and public land resources and support a safe visitor experience. Duties include patrolling front-country and backcountry areas, responding to emergencies, conducting investigations, and helping protect natural and cultural resources. The role may include emergency medical services, search and rescue, and wildland or structural fire suppression, using the Incident Command System. Rangers also provide visitor orientation and stewardship, support wilderness management and boundary enforcement, assist with preliminary investigations, and conduct crowd control. At the GS-07 level, the ranger independently investigates misdemeanor violations and, under supervision of Type I commissioned personnel, investigates felony violations and fatalities. The announcement covers seasonal positions at multiple national park locations, with projected entry-on-duty dates in April or May 2027. Rangers must hold or qualify for a National Park Service Type II law enforcement commission and pass the Physical Efficiency Battery before entering the position. Some locations or designations require additional qualifications, such as EMT certification, motorboat operator certification, or recreation-fee collection clearance. The work may involve uniform wear, operating a vehicle, on-call assignments, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work. Government quarters may be required at some locations; housing may be available but is not guaranteed.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Must hold or have held within the past three years an NPS Seasonal (Level II) or full (Level I) law enforcement commission, or an equivalent commission; have successfully completed a Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program within the past three years; or be scheduled to complete an approved program by the entrance-on-duty date.
Must certify possession of an eligible law enforcement commission or training criterion in supporting documents; include commission number and expiration date or anticipated academy graduation date in the resume.
Must pass the Physical Efficiency Battery before entering the position.
Must pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
Must meet the Selective Service Registration Act requirement if male.
Must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.
Must possess or be able to obtain an NPS Type II Law Enforcement Commission.
Must be free of domestic violence convictions.
Must meet the GS-05 or GS-07 specialized experience, education, or equivalent combination requirements for the grade sought.
GS-05 qualification requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, a four-year course of study above high school with 24 semester hours of related coursework, or an equivalent combination.
GS-07 qualification requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 involving law enforcement duties, apprehension, detention, and firearms experience; one full academic year of related graduate education; or an equivalent combination.
Must submit transcripts if using education to qualify.
Must possess or be able to obtain a valid state-issued driver's license if required to operate a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties, and provide required driving records when requested.
Must meet National Registry or state EMS certification requirements to be referred for the EMT designation.
For the Isle Royale National Park location, must be able to pass the Motorboat Operator Certification Course.
For Theodore Roosevelt National Park Medora/Watford City locations, must pass recreation-fee collection clearance.
Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
May be required to occupy government quarters at some locations.

Responsibilities

Enforce federal laws, regulations, and policies.
Patrol front-country and backcountry sites.
Respond to emergencies, including medical services, search and rescue, and wildland or structural fire suppression, using the Incident Command System.
Facilitate visitor stewardship and orientation, wilderness management, and boundary enforcement.
Protect natural and cultural resources, including wildlife, plants, archaeological sites, and historic buildings, from degradation.
Assist with preliminary investigations of felonies, crimes, park-rule violations, public-use and safety violations, and motor vehicle accidents.
Conduct crowd-control activities.
At the GS-07 level, independently investigate misdemeanor violations and investigate felony violations and fatalities under the supervision of Type I commissioned personnel.