Park Ranger (River) Seasonal

National Park Service • Grand Canyon, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty is March-May but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2027. For more park(s) information, please visit find a park. River rangers perform both solo and multi-boat patrols on white water rivers. They are responsible for checking rafting permits; evaluating concession-run raft trips; safety checks on private raft permit holders; river campground monitoring and maintenance; rescue and communications; river and rafting safety education and information; cooperation with other divisions, including Resource Management; transportation of staff along river corridors for orientation and job-related functions; maintenance of park rafts and the river cache; and other duties as assigned. Drives a truck/trailer to the put-ins to drop off river rangers and gear, gear repair. Assists in search and rescue operations. The GS-07 position also oversees the river cache and boat house including inventory and performs more training and mentoring roles. Limited park housing is available. The employee will spend the majority of the time camping along the river corridors and must be prepared to camp and row/and or operate motorized craft up to class V rapids in inclement weather.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Depending on location, occupancy of government quarters may be required.
• Depending on location, government housing may be available.
• May be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work.
• May be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
• May be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• May be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• Required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment.
• Position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• If selected for a position/location required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.
• Required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record.
• Must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Experience routinely and safely operating oar-powered rafts, with passengers on-board, in Class III or greater white water rapids while conducting or leading river trips.
• At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).
• Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.
• Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: 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; or 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.
• Must include hours per week worked.
• Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in 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, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.
• Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled.
• Must include transcripts.
• Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
• For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
• 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).
• This experience includes activities such as: river rafting guide, river patrol duties or technical work in river recreation management or other similar work.
• Successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) in one of the following fields: 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.
• Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
• 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.
• 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, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Nice To Haves

• The GS-07 position also oversees the river cache and boat house including inventory and performs more training and mentoring roles.

Responsibilities

• Perform both solo and multi-boat patrols on white water rivers.
• Check rafting permits.
• Evaluate concession-run raft trips.
• Conduct safety checks on private raft permit holders.
• Monitor and maintain river campgrounds.
• Perform rescue and communications.
• Provide river and rafting safety education and information.
• Cooperate with other divisions, including Resource Management.
• Transport staff along river corridors for orientation and job-related functions.
• Maintain park rafts and the river cache.
• Drive a truck/trailer to the put-ins to drop off river rangers and gear.
• Perform gear repair.
• Assist in search and rescue operations.
• Oversee the river cache and boat house including inventory (GS-07 position).
• Perform training and mentoring roles (GS-07 position).

Benefits

• Limited park housing is available.
• Camping, boating and kitchen gear are provided for field work.
• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree