Park Ranger (Alpine Rescue and Mountaineering)(Seasonal)

Mountain Club; Washington; On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Mountain Club seeks experienced staff to perform high-altitude operations including professional alpine mountaineering, aviation rope rescue, and avalanche forecasting for protected areas in the Pacific Northwest. The role includes leading patrols, staff backcountry facilities, and delivering visitor services while ensuring compliance with park regulations.

Expect duties across Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks, with potential for additional locations.

Qualifications

• GS-7 to GS-9 pay grade duties in federal park service context.

Responsibilities

• Professional alpine mountaineering.
• Aviation and helicopter insertion/extraction techniques including Human External Cargo.
• Technical rope rescue and emergency medical services in alpine environments.
• Climbing patrols at Mount Rainier and other national parks.
• Leading multi-day alpine patrols and staffing backcountry facilities.
• Visitor services and resource protection duties including visitor contacts and regulations.

Skills

GS-7/GS-9 requirements

Job description

Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027. but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Open to the first 100 applicants or until 10/26/2026 whichever comes first. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Duties

• GS-7 duties: The chief duties of this position include professional alpine mountaineering, aviation, technical rope rescue, avalanche forecasting, and emergency medical services. You participate as a team leader or member on patrols to climb any of the 25 main routes on Mount Rainier. Leading technical rope rescue and helicopter rescues in an alpine mountaineering environment within Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Must be proficient as a backcountry skier or snowboarder. Staffing front-country ranger stations and registering climbers where preventative search and rescue and resource protection messages are given. Staffing climbing high camps including helping with general upkeep, cleaning, and sanitation of backcountry facilities. Leading multi-day alpine mountaineering patrols at Mount Rainier and occasionally at other national parks. Additional GS-9 duties: Staffing high camps and performing climbing patrols on Mount Rainier. Conducting training and teaching advanced mountaineering techniques. Performing alpine rescues, conducting emergency medical services, as well as a broad array of aviation/helicopter insertion and extraction techniques including Human External Cargo (short haul) operations. Duties related to visitor services and resource protection make up a third of the position. The incumbent makes visitor contacts and ensures that visitors are complying with park regulations.

Pay grade: GS-7 to GS-9

Who may apply: Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Open to the public

Position type: Full-time, Not to Exceed 1039 Hours