Park Ranger (I)

Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement who have had a break in service of less than one year, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments. Time-in-grade does not apply to new excepted service appointments. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/02/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either “full-time” (or “40 hours a week”) or “part-time” with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualifications for Park Ranger (Interpretation) GS-0025-5: To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess 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: park guide or tour leader, law enforcement or investigative work, archaeological 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 adhering to policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations, or other similar work. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major study which includes 24 semester hours of related course work. Major study may include 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. You must provide transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of specialized experience and education, as described above, that when combined equal at least 100% of the minimum qualification requirement for the GS-05 grade level. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 2 years (above 60 semester hours or equivalent) is creditable when combining. You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education. Minimum Qualifications for Park Ranger (Interpretation) GS-0025-7: To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess 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) (Note: one grade interval work such as guide, clerk, assistant or technician work in a single grade occupational series at the GS-05 level does NOT qualify for this position, however GS-06 level may). This experience includes: (1) developing and presenting independently researched programs; (2) developing material for nonpersonal services and interpretive media; (3) coordinating the operation of a visitor facility and/or information desk; (4) assisting in coordinating special educational/interpretive projects. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full academic year of graduate level education related to the occupation. Major study may include 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. You must provide transcripts. -OR- SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: A directly related bachelor’s degree AND Superior Academic Achievement. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. -OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education, as described above, that when combined equals at least 100% of the minimum qualification requirement for the GS-07 level. NOTE: Only graduate level education is creditable when combining. You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education. Minimum Qualifications for Park Ranger (Interpretation) GS-0025-9: To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess 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-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes: (1) coordinating, evaluating, or directing interpretive programs; (2) assisting with developing long-range program plans; (3) developing interpretative and educational programs; (4) coaching/mentoring interpretive, or similar, staff. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master’s OR equivalent graduate degree 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: Successful completion of a combination of specialized experience and education that when combined equals at least 100% of the minimum qualification requirement for the GS-09 level. NOTE: Only progressive graduate education beyond the first year of graduate education (18 semester hours) is credible when combining. You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education. 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 are located in Joshua Tree National Park (3 positions) and Channel Islands National Park (1 position) in Division of Interpretation. These are career-seasonal positions. Information regarding this type of appointment may be found in the “Duties” section of this announcement. Open to the first 101 applicants or until 12/02/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.