What are the responsibilities and job description for the Park Ranger (PSAR) position at National Park Service?
This position serves as a Park Ranger in Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR). The primary purpose of this uniformed position is to perform a variety of park ranger duties associated with preventing search and rescue incidents from occurring in park units managed by the National Park Service (NPS).
Positions are TEMPORARY seasonal not-to-exceed 1039 work hours in a service year.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40 hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position performs Patrol and Search and Rescue. Selectees are required to pass the Physical Efficiency Battery and must possess Emergency Medical Technician certification by EOD.
- AND -
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: 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). This experience includes activities such as: activities such as: Park Ranger, Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator; backcountry ranger, law enforcement or investigative work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; 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; or similar work. . You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: 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: Specialized experience Includes activities such as: Park Ranger, Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator; backcountry ranger, law enforcement or investigative work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; 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; or similar work. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least. 1 full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation or superior academic achievement You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
Volunteer Experience: 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). 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.
These positions will be filled at either the GS-05 grade level or the GS-07 grade level.
GS-05 salary is $21.63 per hour. It is anticipated that up to 9 positions may be filled.
GS-07 salary is $26.80 per hour. It is anticipated that up to 3 positions may be filled.
Shenandoah National Park preserves and protects more than 300 square miles of nationally significant natural and cultural resources, scenic beauty, and congressionally designated wilderness within Virginia's northern Blue Ridge Mountains; and provides a broad range of opportunities for public enjoyment, recreation, inspiration, and stewardship. Within just 90 miles of Washington D.C. the Park provides visitors the ability to explore mountain peaks, hidden hollows, cascading streams, accessible wilderness, and stunning natural beauty. Approximately 40% of the Park is designated wilderness with over 500 miles of hiking trails and the iconic Skyline Drive, SHEN was established as an eastern Park that provided a "western Park experience". Due to the Park's easy accessibility to D.C and other highly populated areas along the east coast, visitation exceeds 1.4 million visitors annually which results in significant resource protection and visitor management issues and incidents.
Positions are TEMPORARY seasonal not-to-exceed 1039 work hours in a service year.
Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/27/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40 hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position performs Patrol and Search and Rescue. Selectees are required to pass the Physical Efficiency Battery and must possess Emergency Medical Technician certification by EOD.
- AND -
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: 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). This experience includes activities such as: activities such as: Park Ranger, Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator; backcountry ranger, law enforcement or investigative work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; 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; or similar work. . You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: 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: Specialized experience Includes activities such as: Park Ranger, Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator; backcountry ranger, law enforcement or investigative work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; 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; or similar work. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least. 1 full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation or superior academic achievement You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
Volunteer Experience: 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). 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.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct regularly scheduled and special purpose PSAR patrols of various park resources such as backcountry and/or wilderness areas, park trails, campgrounds, parking lots, shorelines, rivers, docks, roads, concessions, etc. Independently determine new patrol routes for self and/or others and prepare for patrol(s), accounting for the specific needs, topography, and requirements of each patrol. Serve as a trip leader when accompanied by other staff, cooperators, groups, and/or stakeholders. While on patrol, provide visitors with information and education to ensure their safety, obtain their cooperation, and facilitate safe visitor use of park resources. Identify and report visitor/resource problems and/or violations of regulations concerning the use of protected or public land areas.
- Provide administrative, operational, and logistic support to PSAR-related educational activities conducted by the organization. Develop and present a substantial variety of formal and informal PSAR-related educational programs and/or media using prescribed outlines, guidelines, and established educational practices, techniques, and tools delivered in-person and through educational media and technology. Conduct straightforward research on a variety of PSAR-related topics (e.g., frostbite, swift-water rescue, hiking safety, heat illness, accident prevention, sanitation) and synthesize the knowledge gained from research to develop and deliver educational PSAR experiences that are clearly consistent with the strategic goals and objectives of PSAR.
- Serve as a member of a Search and Rescue (SAR) Team on events that may require trail response, ground/hasty searches, helicopter evacuations, river rescues, body recoveries, and/or litter carries. Participate in operational assessments and help prepare contingencies for future search and rescue incidents. Participate in post operational analysis and After-Action Reviews to improve park operations and prevent SAR events from occurring.
These positions will be filled at either the GS-05 grade level or the GS-07 grade level.
GS-05 salary is $21.63 per hour. It is anticipated that up to 9 positions may be filled.
GS-07 salary is $26.80 per hour. It is anticipated that up to 3 positions may be filled.
Shenandoah National Park preserves and protects more than 300 square miles of nationally significant natural and cultural resources, scenic beauty, and congressionally designated wilderness within Virginia's northern Blue Ridge Mountains; and provides a broad range of opportunities for public enjoyment, recreation, inspiration, and stewardship. Within just 90 miles of Washington D.C. the Park provides visitors the ability to explore mountain peaks, hidden hollows, cascading streams, accessible wilderness, and stunning natural beauty. Approximately 40% of the Park is designated wilderness with over 500 miles of hiking trails and the iconic Skyline Drive, SHEN was established as an eastern Park that provided a "western Park experience". Due to the Park's easy accessibility to D.C and other highly populated areas along the east coast, visitation exceeds 1.4 million visitors annually which results in significant resource protection and visitor management issues and incidents.
Salary : $22 - $27
