Park Ranger (PSAR) (Seasonal)

National Park Service • McLean, VA

2d

About The Position

Park Rangers in Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) perform park ranger duties focused on preventing search-and-rescue incidents in park units and providing emergency medical services as needed. The anticipated entry-on-duty period is March through July 2027. The position may involve patrols in backcountry and wilderness areas, trails, campgrounds, parking areas, shorelines, rivers, docks, roads, and concession areas. Rangers provide visitor safety information and education, develop and deliver PSAR educational programs, and serve as members of search-and-rescue teams. The work may include responding to searches, evacuations, rescues, and body recoveries.

This is a seasonal position. Depending on the park and program, it may be filled under a temporary seasonal appointment not to exceed 1,560 hours rather than 1,039 hours. Employment may end at any time because of funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed; occupancy of government quarters may be required. A uniform may be required, and a uniform allowance will be provided.

The work involves extensive standing and walking, sometimes over rough surfaces or inclines while carrying backpacks, tools, and rescue equipment. Work settings involve regular exposure to moderate discomforts, such as high or low temperatures, confined spaces, or adverse weather. Schedules may include on-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet the Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
• A negative drug-test result is required before appointment; the position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• A current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification or higher is required by entry on duty.
• Selectees must pass Physical Fitness Testing.
• A valid driver's license is required to operate a government or private motor vehicle for official duties; applicants must submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record and may be required to provide certified driving records from all states where they have held a license.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old, or at least 16 and meet one of the listed education or student-employment conditions.
• For the GS-07 level, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, one full academic year of related graduate education (defined as 18 semester hours), or an equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education.
• Specialized experience may include independently leading and resolving PSAR activities; park ranger or law-enforcement work; EMT or paramedic work; forestry or fire-management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; or work developing and implementing policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations.
• Applicants must submit a resume no longer than two single-sided pages that clearly describes duties, employment dates, and hours worked; only the resume submitted in the designated Resume document section will be used for qualification and rating purposes.
• Applicants qualifying through education must submit legible transcripts; official transcripts are required before work begins if selected and education was used to qualify.
• Foreign education used to qualify must be evaluated by a qualified private organization and determined equivalent to accredited U.S. education or credited by a U.S.-accredited institution.
• Selectees may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
• Selectees may be required to complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Selectees must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.
• Selectees may be required to wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regularly scheduled and special-purpose PSAR patrols in park areas and across varied park resources.
• Determine patrol routes and prepare for patrols based on the needs, topography, and requirements of each patrol.
• Serve as a trip leader when accompanied by staff, cooperators, groups, or stakeholders.
• Provide visitors with safety information and education to obtain cooperation and facilitate safe use of park resources.
• Identify and report visitor or resource problems and violations of regulations concerning protected or public lands.
• Provide administrative, operational, and logistical support for PSAR educational activities.
• Develop and present formal and informal PSAR educational programs and media using established outlines, guidelines, practices, techniques, and tools, in person and through educational media and technology.
• Research PSAR topics and apply findings to develop and deliver educational experiences aligned with PSAR goals and objectives.
• Serve on a search-and-rescue team, potentially responding to trail incidents, ground or hasty searches, helicopter evacuations, river rescues, body recoveries, and litter carries.
• Participate in operational assessments and help prepare contingencies for future search-and-rescue incidents.
• Participate in post-operational analyses and After-Action Reviews to improve park operations and help prevent search-and-rescue events.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a range of federal benefits; eligibility depends on position type and employment status.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed