Park Ranger (Interpretation) (Wilderness Education) (Seasonal)

Summary

Interpretive Rangers develop and present educational programs including guided walks and presentations, and working with audiences in a variety of park settings. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty is Seasonal Staffing Office-Pacific West Region is March to April, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Duties

GS-05 level: You will work in locations ranging from high visitor use front-country areas to remote wilderness locations. Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Issue wilderness use permits in accordance with the park's management plan using a computerized reservation system; ensure that all use limitations are observed; and inform visitors of special concerns such as fire restrictions, areas closed to camping, party size limitations, Leave No Trace, park regulations, special equipment needs and special resource sensitivities. You respond by telephone, email, or in person daily with the general public, commercial outfitters and other agencies answering questions and providing information about the permit systems and the area's natural resources. You may develop and present original interpretive programs on Wilderness philosophy, safety and history to the general public, special groups or park staff. Perform resource protection foot patrols in wilderness areas which entail special skill to safely work and live in primitive, solitary conditions. Patrol work includes visitor contacts and education, light trail maintenance, cabin repair and campsite rehabilitation. Monitor commercial use permits for compliance with park-established conditions and service-wide policy. Provide emergency medical treatment to visitors and employees, must maintain Wilderness First Responder qualifications. You are responsible for reporting visitor contacts and field conditions for all patrols. You must maintain a high degree of physical fitness. GS-07 level: You will work in locations ranging from high visitor use front-country areas to remote wilderness locations. In addition to the duties listed above, you serve as a station lead providing guidance on office protocols and program policies to lower-level staff when station supervisor is unavailable. You ensure staff and public safety, answer complex visitor and employee questions, resolve disagreements with visitors and assist with staff training.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/16/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. SELECTIVE FACTORS: These positions perform wilderness patrol duties, and the following skills are required.1. These positions require that you possess Wilderness Travel and Living Skills. This is a Selective Factor; if you do not possess these skills you will be found ineligible. The skills include all of the following: * Travel in backcountry/wilderness areas for moderate periods of time (e.g., 3-7 days and nights). * Camp in backcountry/wilderness areas in a way that reflects knowledge of minimum impact (e.g., Leave No Trace) camping. * Navigate in the backcountry using map and compass and/or GPS equipment. * Backpack and/or hike in mountainous terrain carrying a heavy backpack. Please select the option below that indicates your Wilderness Travel and Living Skills. IMPORTANT: You MUST describe your Wilderness Travel and Living Skills in your application documents, or you will lose consideration for this position.2. Due to the remote location and wilderness designation of these positions, you must be able to respond to injured visitors and provide first aid/CPR while awaiting emergency medical services. Certification as a Wilderness First Responder, or higher-level certification, is required. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by entry on duty date will receive no further consideration for this position. Certification or enrollment in course MUST be documented in application. - AND -To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications: 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). Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: park guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research 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- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of progressively higher level undergraduate coursework leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree with major study, at least 24 semester hours, in any combination of courses such as 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, behavior sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a bachelor's degree, in excess of 60 semester hours, and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications: 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: 1) staff a visitor center or information desk providing information and orientation to visitors; 2) perform front or backcountry patrols in a park or natural area to educate visitors and protect resources; 3) provide emergency medical treatment to others within the scope of your licensure. (Note: One grade interval work such as guide, clerk, assistant or technician work (Park Guide or Visitor Services Assistant) in a single grade occupational series at the GS-05 level does NOT qualify for this position, however GS-06 level experience may). You must include hours per week worked on your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a related field such as 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, behavior sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of