Park Ranger

Duties

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.

For additional information about the BLM, please visit Our website.

All positions may not be filled or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions are temporary and are expected to last for approximately 6 months. These positions have no promotion potential, if you want to be considered for a higher grade you must apply for the higher grade.

Responsibilities

NOTE: These are not Law Enforcement positions.

Park Rangers support the Bureau's recreation program. They work with the public to provide information, conduct permit compliance, and safety inspections. They respond to emergency situations. They participate in evaluating visitor use patterns, preparing and maintaining recreation sites, and monitoring condition of sites and natural and cultural resources. In some locations some of the positions may be Park Ranger (Hike Leaders). Duties for these positions focus on guiding a variety of age groups on interactive, interpretive hikes that explore the natural and cultural history of a geological formation, and "Table Rocks." Hike leaders develop educational displays, curriculum, and staff various educational events around the region. In some locations, some of the positions may be Park Ranger (Interpretative Center). Duties for these positions focus on interacting with a variety of age groups interpreting Center resources and presenting interpretive programs. Programs include orientation talks, interpretive programs, environmental education, conducted walks, demonstrations, and campfire programs. They develop and maintain interpretive materials and educational displays, and staff information desks.

Physical Demands: The work is performed mostly outdoors in rugged terrain; to include very steep, wet, muddy, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces. The position requires physical exertion such as, but not limited to, driving over unpaved roads, walking over rough terrain or inclines, standing for long periods of time, bending,

crouching and stooping, digging, hiking, lifting, biking, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. Work

may involve early morning hours, night hours, or daytime hours and may require working on holidays. It

can require carrying heavy backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, or other loads.

Work Environment: Most work will be performed out of doors, in all types of weather conditions, terrain, and elevations. Work may take place in an extremely remote environment and may require primitive camping and living skills for upwards of two weeks in duration. Indoor duties are performed in a normal office setting.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Overnight travel may be required on a regular and recurring basis and employee will be required to obtain and use a government charge card, when travel is necessary.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

No - These positions have no promotion potential. If you want to be considered for a higher grade you must apply for the higher grade.

• Job family (Series)

  0025 Park Ranger

• Requirements

  Requirements

  Conditions of Employment

  • Direct Deposit required
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Read the "How to Apply" & "Required Documents" sections
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can
  • you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land
  • Security Clearance/Background Investigation is required.

  Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the specialized experience as defined in the announcement or vacancy questions. In addition, your responses to the questions must be adequately reflected in your resume.

  Qualifications

  In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume.

  GS-2 Park Ranger - 6 months of general experience. Examples of general experience may include working in any administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible field that provided you with a familiarity of natural or cultural history; fish or wildlife habitat characteristics; techniques of resource protection and use; recreational use of public lands and facilities; enforcement of laws, rules, or regulations; fire prevention techniques and fire suppression methods; or the practice of interpersonal relations skills in dealing with the general public. -OR- High school graduation or equivalent. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.

  GS-3 Park Ranger - 6 months of general experience and 3 months of specialized experience. Examples of general experience may include working in any administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible field that provided you with a familiarity of natural or cultural history; fish or wildlife habitat characteristics; techniques of resource protection and use; recreational use of public lands and facilities; enforcement of laws, rules, or regulations; fire prevention techniques and fire suppression methods; or the practice of interpersonal relations skills in dealing with the general public. Examples of specialized experience may include assisting in visitor center by answering calls from callers pertaining to general park information that may require assistance from supervisor or other staff. -OR- Successful completion of one year of education above high school with at least 6 semester hours of related course work. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.

  Related Course Work - natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science related to the protection of public lands, social sciences, museum sciences, 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 relates to the duties performed by a Park Ranger.

  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.

  You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

  Education

  Additional information

  SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.

  Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

  Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

  CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Well or Best Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.

  If tentatively selected for this position you will be required to complete and submit a OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

  The person tentatively selected for this position is subject to completion of a favorable background investigation. Failure to satisfy the preliminary background check will result in cancellation of the tentative job offer. Failure to satisfy the full investigation requirements may be grounds for termination, once you are placed in the position.

  A valid driver's license is required for some positions. If you are selected for one of these positions you must be 18 years old and have a current driver's license.

  Employees required to operate a motor vehicle must be at least 18; otherwise, you must be at least 16 at the time you report for work.

  Overnight travel may be required on a regular and recurring basis and employee will be required to obtain and use a government charge card, when travel is necessary.

  This position is not eligible for Telework.

  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position:

  • Knowledge of policies, objectives, and operating methods to provide information and education concerning responsible outdoor recreation use on public lands

  • Knowledge of resource programs: natural or cultural history, fish or wildlife habitat characteristics, techniques of resource protection and use, recreational use of Federal lands, and fire prevention techniques / fire suppression methods.

  • Ability to communicate with visitors to obtain their cooperation, identify and resolve problems or apparent violations of regulations.

  • Knowledge of First Aid techniques and ability to respond to emergency situations.

  • Ability to administer operations, such as the day-to-day operation of a recreation site.

  To preview questions please click here.

  Background checks and security clearance

  Security clearance

  Other

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  This vacancy is limited to a certain number of applicants and may close before the close date listed here if that limit is reached.

  Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume must list your education and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week and salary information. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). You are welcome to submit a cover letter (optional).

  In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms:

  1. A copy of your college transcript(s), if qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. If selected for this position you will be required to provide an original copy of your transcripts.

  2. Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the level of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be adjudicated (verified) by the employing agency using the documents you provide.

  • For 0-point Sole survivorship veterans’ preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference.
  • For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
  • For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation.

  For more information on which type of preference is applicable please visit VetGuide.

  3. Any certifications (such as First Aid certifications) required for the position. Requirements to submit additional documents may be stated in the job related questions. Failure to submit all required documents may result in a not qualified or not eligible determination.

  4. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.

  You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile. Do not use both options. Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume. Uploading Documents: instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application. Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.

  READ THIS: It is the responsibility of the applicant to illustrate that all eligibility requirements are met. This includes ensuring your resume / application documents specific information on each employment listed. Specifically, you must document Agency/Company Name, supervisor's name and contact information, position title, grade/series/salary, and employment dates to include month, day and year. Failure to do so may result in your application being disqualified. If you have questions regarding the necessary documentation to include, contact the HR Specialist listed on this announcement prior to the closing date of the announcement.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  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. Learn more about federal benefits.

  Temporary seasonal employees are eligible for the following:

  • Annual and Sick Leave
  • Depending on tour of duty – Sunday, holiday, shift differential
  • Paid Federal Holidays

  -Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.

  Review our benefits

  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.

Help

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.