Park Ranger (Protection) (Seasonal)

US National Park Service; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. National Park Service is seeking Park Rangers (Protection) for seasonal assignments. The role involves applying laws to protect visitors and resources, patrolling areas, and conducting emergency responses and investigations to ensure safe visitor experiences.

Applicants must meet age, commission, and Physical Efficiency Battery requirements and may be selected for multiple locations. Compensation aligns with federal GS pay grades and varies by grade and season.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GS-04 level or higher, in resource protection, education, and public use management.
• Bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related coursework.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education.

Responsibilities

• Apply laws and regulations to protect visitors and resources.
• Engage in patrols to ensure public safety and resource protection.
• Perform emergency responses and investigations as needed.
• Meet mandatory age and law enforcement commission requirements.

Skills

Law enforcement support

Emergency response

Investigations

Education

Bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours

Equivalent combination of experience and education

Job description

Park Ranger (Protection) (Seasonal)

apply laws and regulations to protect both visitors and resources of our public lands and ensure a safe visitor experience through patrols, emergency response, and investigations.

You may select up to SEVEN locations. Not all locations may be hiring for all grades. Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/09/2026 -unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, 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. 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.

1. Mandatory Requirements for Park Ranger (Protection)

A. Mandatory Minimum Age Requirement:

This position has a mandatory requirement that applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

B. Mandatory Law Enforcement Commission:

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria by the entrance-on-duty (EOD) date to be considered for these positions:

• Currently hold or have previously held (within the past three years), a National Park Service Seasonal (Level II) or full (Level I) law enforcement commission, or equivalent within the past three years.
• Successful completion a Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program during the last three years but have not yet received a National Park Service Seasonal (Level II) Law Enforcement Commission.
• Will successfully complete a Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program by the entrance on duty date from one of the approved participating academies found at https://www.anpr.org/career/prlea. NOTE: This is not regular police officer training.

You MUST certify in your supporting documents the possession of at least one of the above criteria include your commission number with expiration date, or your anticipated graduation date from an approved NPS Seasonal Law Enforcement Academy within your resume.

C. Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB):

Applicants are required to pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) prior to entering law enforcement positions. The duties of this position require arduous physical exertion involving walking, running, lifting, standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. The Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) is a fitness test consisting of five different components: 1) agility run - measures the ability to get up from the ground and sprint while changing directions; 2) bench press - measures the upper body strength for one repetition; 3) 1.5 mile run - measures cardio/respiratory fitness; 4) sit and reach - measures the flexibility in the lower back, legs and shoulders; and 5) body composition - measures the body fat. Prior to appointment, applicants will be tested in all five components, but only the agility run, bench press and 1.5 mile run will be measured for a passing score in the 25th percentile (age and gender adjusted) of these components. These procedures will ensure that law enforcement officers are capable of performing strenuous physical training and law enforcement duties. Applicants shall be disqualified for appointment if they fail to meet any physical requirements. Probationary or seasonal employment is subject to termination for failure to meet the 25th percentile in each of the identified components being measured.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Experience must have been performing work that provided broad knowledge of resource protection, resource education, and public use management. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: Assisting with law enforcement or investigative work; Assisting resource management related to natural and cultural resources (museum technician, archeological technician, etc.); Assisting forestry and/or fire management (wildland and/or structural); Assisted in emergency services (emergency medical, search and rescue, emergency dispatch); Assisting in the management, information dissemination, or the carrying out of programs in a park (park guide or tour leader), conservation reserve or similar area (entrance station, backcountry office, volunteer, visitor information desk, campground ranger).
• OR:
• A 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work (one year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours).
• OR:
• Equivalent combination of experience and education.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service. Specialized experience must have been performing law enforcement duties for the protection, conservation, use, and management of natural and/or cultural resources in park areas or similar operations, which involved the application of law enforcement authorities and procedures to protect visitors and resources. Law enforcement duties include apprehending, detaining, and firearm experience.
• OR:
• You must possess one full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation (one year of full-time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours).
• OR:
• Equivalent combination of experience and 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.