Park Ranger

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: As a Park Ranger you will work in recreation management, natural resources management, visitor assistance, and interpretation.

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Duties

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• Answer visitors' questions requiring knowledge of a variety of facts, events, rules, regulations, and the Project's natural characteristics.
• Research, develop and present limited interpretive programs including: campfire programs; guided tours of the project and/or dam; talks and slide shows; and presentations to local schools and community organizations.
• Participate in a variety of resources management projects designed to maintain and enhance the resources and to provide a quality natural environmental experience for the public.
• Assist higher graded park rangers with administrative duties.
• Patrol lake areas to ensure compliance with regulatory and administrative requirements.
• Take action to preserve the peace, resolve problems, protect visitors and resources, contact violators, give emergency first aid, and other appropriate assistance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Incumbent must possess or maintain a valid state driver's license at time of appointment.
• Incumbent must be able to obtain a Corps of Engineers boat operator's license within a year of appointment.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekends depending on the needs of the project to which the employee is assigned.
• Required to wear prescribed uniform as identified in regulation, ER 1130-2-550, dated 15 November 1996. Must wear appropriate safety gear and protective clothing as required.
• Required to have, or be able to obtain within 6 months of hire, a valid CPR certificate and Responding to Emergencies (or equivalent) certificate.
• Occasional overnight travel required (approximately 10%) for training, conferences or rotational assignments.
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 45 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Patrolling land or water recreation areas, campgrounds, or picnic facilities to explain safety, sanitary, fire, and public-use regulations; 2) Answering visitor inquiries regarding natural characteristics and site rules; and 3) Assisting with public safety by issuing citations/warnings or responding to minor incidents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

Education: Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours of related course work in 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.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a Engineers and Scientists (Resources and Construction)Career Program position aligned under the Construction, Analysis, Science, Infrastructure & Engineers (CASIE) Career Management Directorate.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit for more information.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
• Advanced-in-Hire, Enhanced Leave Accrual, Student Loan Repayment, and/or Recruitment/Relocation incentive MAY be authorized if determined to be in the best interest of the government.
• Term Appointment NTE - Position may be filled as a Term Appointment NTE 6 years. Term appointments may be extended beyond of six (6) years, up to eight (8) years. With DoD approval, Term appointments may be extended beyond eight (8) years.
• Modified Term - incumbent may be later noncompetitively converted to a career-conditional or career appointment (when specific conditions are met) under authority of 5 USC 9902.
• Current permanent Federal employees (to include permanent Army employees) applying for a Term appointment will be appointed/converted into a Term appointment with no statutory return rights back to a permanent position.
• This position has promotion potential to the GS-07 grade through the intermediate GS-06 grade once all training, eligibility, and qualifications for promotion at each grade level are met.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.