Park Ranger (Protection)

National Park Service; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal environmental agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a qualified Park Ranger for law enforcement and resource protection duties. The ideal candidate will enforce laws, conduct emergency response operations, and facilitate visitor safety. Candidates must be physically fit, U.S. citizens or nationals, and possess a valid driver's license. This is a full-time position that requires dedication to preserving natural and cultural resources.

Benefits

Government housing availability

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Must be U.S. citizen or national and at least 21 years old.
• Required to pass Physical Efficiency Battery tests.
• Must have valid state driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Enforce laws and regulations at park locations.
• Conduct law enforcement investigations and emergency responses.
• Ensure visitor safety and resource protection.

Skills

Physical fitness

Law enforcement

Emergency response

Resource protection

Management skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural resource management or related field

Tools

Standard law enforcement equipment

Job description

Duties

• Enforce Federal laws, regulations and policies; patrol front country and backcountry sites.
• Emergency response (utilizing Incident Command System) including medical services, search and rescue, and wildland/structural fire suppression.
• Facilitate visitor stewardship and orientation; wilderness management; boundary enforcement; protection of natural and cultural resources (e.g. wildlife, plants, archaeological sites, and historic buildings).
• Assist with preliminary investigations of felonies, crimes, and violations of park rules, public use, safety requirements, and motor vehicle accidents.
• Crowd control activities; proactively protects park resources from all forms of degradation.
• Conduct law enforcement investigations into misdemeanor violations.
• Under the supervision of a Type I commissioned personnel, investigate felony violations and fatalities.

Additional duties for GL-9

• Conduct law enforcement investigations into misdemeanor, felony violations and fatalities.
• Provide specialized knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management.

Duties will be developmental when filled below the full performance level.

Other Position Requirements

• Prior to selection or appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties, pass a medical examination, and pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB). The PEB is a fitness test consisting of five components: agility run, bench press, 1.5‑mile run, sit and reach, and body composition. You must pass the agility run, bench press, and 1.5‑mile run in the 25th percentile. Learn more about the PEB.
• You can look up required scores for your age and gender for PEB.
• Learn more about the Medical Standards Program.
• Learn more about FLETC Physical Performance Requirements (PPRs).
• To learn about Ranger‑Specific Basic Training and Land Management Police Training go to this.
• Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
• Government housing may be available.
• You may be required to work on‑call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position and recommendation by the supervisor.
• Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Statement : The salary annotated on this announcement does not include the cost‑of‑living allowance, nor locality pay.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1‑year probationary period OR a 2‑year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• The probationary and trial periods are an extension of the appointment process and therefore require the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.
• Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship or National required.
• Subject to background investigation & favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Complete initial online and USAHire assessments.
• Pass the Physical Efficiency Battery.
• Must successfully complete agency‑sponsored training to obtain an NPS Type I Law Enforcement Commission.
• Required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a GS position under non‑temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time‑in‑grade (TIG) requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). TIG requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. TIG requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act appointment.
• Required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.
• Must be free of any domestic violence convictions. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• Required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. This position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Must be determined physically fit by an authorized physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a pre‑employment medical examination (vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized physician. Also required to undergo periodic medical examinations.
• Required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
• Must not have reached your 37th birthday prior to employment.
• Exception to mandatory age requirement: Applicants who have 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 if an applicant is a qualified veteran and is preference eligible, in which case the mandatory entry age is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement‑11/27/2025‑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. (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).

Mandatory Requirements for Park Ranger (Protection):

Selective Placement Factors

• 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 11/27/2025.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement

GL‑07 level

• 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. Examples where this experience could have been gained by informing visitors about organizational policies, rules, or laws; gathering information or collecting evidence as part of an investigation; monitoring or inspecting resources (e.g. buildings, roads, land, etc.) to identify potential hazards or illegal activities; performing emergency response or wildland firefighting; or other similar work.
• Education: You must possess one full academic year of graduate education directly related to the occupation (see Education section - related education; one year of full time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours).
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA is based on: 1) class standing, 2) grade‑point average, or 3) honor society membership. Specific requirements are: 1) Class Standing: Upper third of graduating class based on completed courses; 2a) Grade Point Average: 3.0 or higher as recorded on official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education; 2b) based on courses completed during the final full 2 years of curriculum; or 2c) 3.5 or higher based on average of courses completed in the specific major field of study; or 3) Honor Society Membership: Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society listed in the Association of College Honor Societies, Booklet of Information, and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision).
• Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

GL‑09 level

• Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GL/GS‑07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors), performing work that provided specialized knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management.
• Education: You must possess 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree directly related to the occupation (see Education section - related education; one year of full time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours).
• Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

Specialized Experience – MUST include hours per week worked in your resume.

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.

Education

Related Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study – 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. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled.

You must provide transcripts if you are claiming you meet the qualifications based on education.

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an... with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade‑point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your 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.

Additional Position Information: Career‑Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year‑round basis. You will work from approximately 6‑9 months (or more depending on the park) and you will be in a non‑pay status for approximately 3‑6 months (or less depending on the park). Non pay status is dependent on the location of the position being hired. NOTE: Not all available positions are career‑seasonal positions; both full‑time (all year employment) and career‑seasonal positions are available.

For more information, please visit: and .

These positions are being advertised concurrently under vacancy announcements WO‑1614‑VRP‑26‑12831186‑DE & WO‑1614‑VRP‑26‑12831156‑DE (for experienced police officers). If you are interested in applying under any of the job opportunity announcements, you must submit an application package for each.

Additional information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Physical Demands

Requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as running in pursuits or emergency responses, long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, and similar activities, on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain. Strenuous exertion is frequently required in search and rescue, medical and related emergency. Lifting or carrying equipment weighing over 50 pounds, such as emergency equipment, or search and rescue equipment is required. In some assignments heavy packs may have to be carried long distances over mountainous, desert, or snow‑covered terrain. Duties involve performing physically rigorous assignments, often in isolated outdoor environments, frequently while exposed to severe weather conditions. Requires common physical characteristics and abilities in agility and dexterity and the strength to pursue, apprehend, and detain uncooperative suspects. Required to meet and continuously maintain the physical/medical standards as set forth in the requirements of D.O. #57. There is a physical, mental and emotional high stress component to much of the incumbent's work assignment.

Working Conditions

The work is performed outdoors in all kinds of weather and climatic conditions for various hours of the day and night and for prolonged periods during emergency situations. Frequently exposed to high‑risk and potentially dangerous situations in law enforcement and emergency situations requiring use of a wide range of personal protective gear, adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions. Long periods of surveillance work may be required in cramped, or unpleasant locations and under unpleasant conditions. Shift work is often required. Required to operate motor vehicles of various types. Emergency law enforcement operations will require entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons; animals; and substances, and potential exposure to infectious diseases. The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework. Bargaining Union Status Code or Union eligibility is dependent upon the location and grade. 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. 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Resumes must not exceed two single‑sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Performance Appraisal – Required for ALL Applicants

All applicants must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor. If submitting a performance appraisal not dated within the last 18 months, a statement as to why it is the most recent must be submitted. If no performance appraisal is available, applicants must submit a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level).

These positions are being advertised concurrently under vacancy announcements WO‑1614‑VRP‑26‑12831186‑DE & WO‑1614‑VRP‑26‑12831156‑DE (for experienced police officers). If you are interested in applying under any of the job opportunity announcements, you must submit an application package for each.

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.

Required Documents

1. 2‑Page Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect either full‑time or 40 hours per week. If a part‑time work schedule is reflected, the hours must be annotated to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
2. Complete All Required Assessments.
3. Merit Promotion Eligibility Documentation such as:
   • Current and former federal employees must submit a copy of their latest SF‑50 "Notification of Personnel Action" reflecting career or career‑conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2), position title, series, grade and an additional SF‑50 showing highest permanent grade ever held, if not reflected on your latest SF‑50. Examples of acceptable SF‑50s include: Promotion, Within Rate Increases, or Appointment SF‑50s. Do not submit an Award SF‑50 as it does not provide the needed information.
   • Veterans Preference Documentation (e.g. DD‑214, SF‑15, VA Letter as appropriate)
   • Documentation for the eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF‑50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
4. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
   • If you are a Discharged, Non‑Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD‑214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions.
   • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
   • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the ....
5. Performance Appraisals and Awards:
   • All applicants must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor. If submitting a performance appraisal not dated within the last 18 months, a statement as to why it is the most recent must be submitted. If no performance appraisal is available, applicants must submit a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level).
   • Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
6. Selective Factor documentation.
7. College transcripts, if qualifying on education.
8. Documentation for consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF‑50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well‑qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
9. Noncompetitive or Special Hiring Authority. Applicants who are eligible to be considered based on a Noncompetitive or Special Hiring Authority must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.
10. Failure to submit any of the above‑mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

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 ...

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.