Park Ranger (Protection)

National Park Service; Durban; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A federal agency for preservation seeks a Park Ranger for law enforcement duties in South Africa. Must have prior sworn law enforcement experience and the ability to respond to emergencies, patrol park areas, and protect resources. A background check, physical fitness assessment, and completion of training programs are mandatory. This is a physically demanding position requiring outdoor work under various conditions.

Benefits

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)

Uniform allowance

Government housing availability

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National required.
• Physical fitness and ability to pass various assessments.
• Must complete NPS Basic Academy training.

Responsibilities

• Enforce Federal laws and patrol park areas.
• Respond to emergencies and provide medical services.
• Protect natural and cultural resources.

Skills

Law enforcement experience

Emergency response

Patrolling skills

Physical fitness

Education

Undergraduate degree in relevant fields

Tools

Goverment vehicle operation

Job description

Summary

This announcement is intended for applicants who have prior sworn law enforcement experience and who qualify to attend the NPS Basic Academy Bridge Training Program in lieu of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Land Management Police Training (see Qualifications section).

For position and park related questions, please contact: [e-mail]

Location

Location Negotiable after Selection: For more information on NPS law enforcement and to view available locations, see "Find Positions and Locations": Become a Law Enforcement Ranger.

Duties

Park Ranger (Protection) Duties:

• Enforce Federal laws, regulations and policies; patrol front country and backcountry sites.
• Emergency response, 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 protect 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 in nature 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 different 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.
• Required to complete training and operate a four‑wheel drive vehicle.
• Required to wear a uniform and comply with the NPS uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Occupancy of government quarters may be required. Government housing may be available.
• May be required to work on‑call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• May be required to travel overnight away from home.
• 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 during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• 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.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National Required.
• Subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Complete the online assessment and USAHire Assessment.
• Subject to a pre‑employment medical exam and drug test; Must pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB).
• Required to attend and successfully complete the NPS Basic Academy Bridge Training Program and Field Training and Evaluation Program (see Qualifications section for more information).
• Must successfully complete agency‑sponsored training to obtain an NPS Type I Law Enforcement Commission.
• Will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Will be 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. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• 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

• Must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
• 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 11/27/2025.
• Applicants must have worked in a sworn officer position within the last 3 years AND successfully completed a Police Training Program certified by, sponsored by, or approved by, a local, state, tribal, or Federal agency, or by the military within the last 3 years.

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.
• Education: One full academic year of graduate education directly related to the occupation.
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Class standing, GPA, or honor society membership as described in the requirements.
• 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.
• Education: Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree directly related to the occupation.
• 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. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

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.

Additional Information

Open to the first 300 applicants or 11/27/2025 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

This position is currently being concurrently advertised with the following announcements WO-1614-VRP-26-12832128-ST & WO-1614-VRP-26-12831186-DE. If you are interested in applying under any of the open job announcements, you must submit an application package for each.

Physical Demands: Requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as running, standing, walking, driving, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, and similar activities on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain.

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.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework.

Benefits and additional incentives such as recruitment and relocation incentives are described in the announcement.