Skip to main content
Back to jobs

Park Ranger (Protection)

External
National Park Service logoNational Park Service · Location Negotiable After Selection
$52K–$106K/yrFull-timeOn-site1mo ago30+ days old, may be filled
DocumentationLess
Cover LetterConnect

Prepare for this interview

Elite

AI-generated questions, company research, and talking points tailored to this role


About the role

Location Negotiable after Selection: For more information on NPS law enforcement and to view available parks/locations, see "Find Positions and Locations": Become a Law Enforcement Ranger For position and park related questions, please contact: LE_Recruitment@nps.gov Open to the first 250 applicants or 06/09/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. QUALIFICATIONS: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-06/09/2026-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 2-page resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying 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 2-page 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying 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. In addition to the standard Park Ranger (Protection) qualifications listed below, If you would like to be considered for this option, the applicant must be conversationally fluent in at least one of the following languages, and support within your resume. You will NOT be rated ineligible if you do not possess the optional language. Spanish Some parks on this announcement may require Park Ranger (Protection) to be certified in Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) duties will be less than 20% of the time. If you would like to be considered for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) you must provide your certification in your supporting documents at the time of application. (Note: You will still be considered for this position without EMT certifications. These are additional designations applicants can be considered for by parks that require it). You will NOT be rated ineligible if you do not possess the optional certifications. Requirements for Park Ranger (Protection): 1. Selective Placement Factors: Applicants must meet ALL of the following to qualify: This is a primary position covered by enhanced retirement provisions which stipulate mandatory retirement at age 57 after 20 years of service. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, and must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in a primary covered position sufficient to complete 20 years of service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. Must have a current, valid State Driver's License by 06/09/2026. 2. Applicants must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: GL-05 level: A. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GL/GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors), performing work that provided broad knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management. Examples where this experience could have been gained include serving as a park guide or tour leader; assisting with law enforcement or investigative work; assisting with emergency response; assisting with archaeological or historical preservation work; assisting with forestry or fire and/or management; or similar operations. -OR- B. Education: A 4- year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of course work directly related to the occupation (see Education section - related education; one year of full time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours). -OR- C. Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. GL-07 level: A. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GL/GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors), performing work that provided specific knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management. Exam


Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at National Park Service? Share your experience

Interested in this role?

Apply on the company's website.

Cover LetterConnect