Park Ranger (PSAR) Seasonal

US National Park Service; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

US National Park Service seeks qualified applicants for seasonal entry-on-duty positions in select parks. Typical start is April–May with possible variations due to weather, project needs, or funding; entry-on-duty date anticipated April 2027. Selective factors include EMT certification and, for Devils Tower, climbing capability to monitor permits.

Applicants must document hours per week and meet specialized experience and education requirements. Transcripts are required.

Qualifications

• One full year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 in the Federal service.
• Hours per week worked must be included for each position.
• Education: 4 years of college leading to a bachelor's degree or 24 semester hours in related fields.
• For GS-07: one year of graduate study (18 semester hours) in related fields.
• Volunteer experience may be credited toward qualifications.

Skills

EMT certification

Park Ranger

Law enforcement

Policy implementation

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Graduate study (1 year)

Job description

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty is April-May but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2027.

For more park(s) information, please visit find a park.

All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST or when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 10/13/2026).

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. 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.

SELECTIVE FACTOR (Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Glacier National Park only)

This position performs emergency medical services, and a National Registry EMT certification or higher is required. National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Please include the NREMT certification number and the date of expiration in your resume, or preferably, upload the certification document into your application documents. If you are working toward obtaining your certification, include a copy of your course registration that shows the expected completion date. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.

SELECTIVE FACTOR (Devils Tower)

This position performs climbing duties, and the ability to lead climbing routes using traditional climbing methods rated at 5.9 or higher on the Yosemite decimal system is required. If individuals cannot lead traditional climbing routes rated at 5.9 or higher, they will not be able to successfully climb the Tower to monitor recreational climbing activities and to check climbing permits. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED 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 activities such as: Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological 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 the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations; or other similar work. You must include hours per week worked.

EDUCATION:

Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in a related field. Related fields of study include natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, 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 include transcripts.

NOTE:

Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience described in A above (50% of the experience requirement), and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education) which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified in B above (50% of the related coursework required). You must include transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED 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). This experience includes activities such as: Park Ranger, law enforcement; EMT or paramedic; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations; or other similar work. You must include hours per week worked.

EDUCATION:

Successful completion of one year of graduate level study (18 semester hours) in directly related fields such as 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, emergency management, 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 include transcripts.

NOTE:

Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. experience. For example, if you have 6 months of the specialized experience described above (50% of the experience requirement), and at least 1 semester (9 semester hours) of college graduate study in a directly related field from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education requirement), then you would meet 100% of the qualification requirements. You must include transcripts.

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.