National Park Service Logo
Position Title
Park Ranger (P)
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
NPS-IRA-25-12754509-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, June 26, 2025 to Friday, July 11, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. 1. Are you the spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty?

-OR-

2. Are you a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty?

-OR-

3. Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. 

To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit documentation verifying active duty status; and documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage).

To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc..
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2. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?   If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center. 
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
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3. Are you a current career/career-conditional National Park Service Federal employee and meet the following Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibility:

Current National Park Service Federal employee with a career or career- conditional appointment in the competitive service that hold, or have held a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level as the position being announced. 

To verify your eligibility as a current National Park Service Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your current Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your competitive status showing that you are a current National Park Service employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
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4. Are you a former member of the Public Lands Corps (PLC) who has served the time required for completing a PLC project carried out on Federal land within the preceding 2 years (an individuals eligibility for NCE under this authority shall not exceed 2 years after completion of his/her last PLC project), and:

• Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC (individuals must provide a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for NCE Hiring Based on PLC Service" and the complete PLC Participant Work Hours Verification Form with your application package in order to be considered under this hiring authority), and

• Meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirement(s) stated in this vacancy announcement for the position in which you are applying.
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5. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.  
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
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6. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
  • was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
  • served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and,
  • performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,
  • if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) 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.
For more information, review Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).
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7. Are you a current career/career-conditional National Park Service Federal employee and meet the following Non-competitive Merit Promotion Eligibility:
 
Current National Park Service Federal employee with a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service that hold, or have previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced.
 
To verify your eligibility as a National Park Service Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your current Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your competitive status showing that you are a current National Park Service employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
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8. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
  • are entitled to veterans' preference?
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. 
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
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Preferences
1. When you applied to this job, did you have any engagement with a National Park Service (NPS) Recruiter? (limit characters)
You will not be considered for any eligibility you do not select. For all eligibilities selected, you must provide supporting documentation defined in the required documents section of the vacancy announcement to receive consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions will affect your eligibility. (limit characters)
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating. (limit characters)
2. My performance is at an acceptable level and I am not serving under a formal Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the basic experience requirements for a Park Ranger (Protection) GS-0025-11, position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND TO BE NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
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Secondary/ Administrative Position (Selective Factor) (limit characters)
2. This is a covered secondary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Applicants for this position must possess experience gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement position. Please select the response below that best describes how you meet this requirement.
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Type 1 Law Enforcement Commission (Selective Factor) (limit characters)
3. Selectees must possess a FLERT issued Land Management Police Training (LMPT), full Level I Law Enforcement Commission or equivalent, which requires successful completion of an approved Law Enforcement Training Program. Please select the one response below that best describes your qualifications in this area. If you do not meet the requirements of this selective factor, you will be rated ineligible for these positions. Applicants must document how they meet this requirement, as indicated below, to be considered qualified for this position. (limit characters)
National Registry EMT Basic or Higher Certification (Selective Factor) (limit characters)
4. Selectees must possess a current National Registry certification at the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) basic level or higher (Advanced EMT or Paramedic) by closing date of announcement. Please select the response below that best describes your qualifications in this area. If you do not meet the requirements of this selective factor, you will be rated ineligible for this position. Applicants must document how they meet this requirement in their application materials to be considered qualified for this position. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
5. Perform patrols looking for potential violations of Federal, State and local laws.
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6. Respond to emergency law enforcement calls and take initial action such as to preserve the peace, resolve problems and disputes, protect visitors and resources, pursue and apprehend violators, and enforce regulations.
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7. Independently recognize, preserve, document, and gather evidence at crime and accident scenes.
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8. Serve as a technical advisor to management on training standards and case law.
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9. Processes complaints and inquiries from origination through case closure.
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10. Conduct law enforcement investigations of felonies and other crimes/offenses and violations of rules.
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11. Investigate criminal and other incidents through witness/victim interviews and evidence gathering.
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12. Perform incident case analysis to present cases for prosecution.
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13. Serve as lead investigator for intricate crimes or crime scenes, directing the activities of other law enforcement officials.
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14. Adapt investigative methods, techniques, and procedures to specific cases.
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15. Testify and/or present collected evidence in court.
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16. Lead community policing efforts by developing appropriate tactics that meet visitor and resource protection goals.
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17. Develop resource protection operation action plans and standard operating procedures.
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18. Evaluate law enforcement operations to determine efficiency of activities placing an emphasis on crime prevention and resource protection.
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19. Evaluate resource protection short- and long-range goals and operating plans, recommending adjustments to management as needed.
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20. Develop emergency management procedures using gathered visitation data, in order to meet natural disaster and emergency needs.
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21. Serve as a law enforcement instructor covering topics such as law enforcement/investigation techniques and law enforcement operations.
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22. Serve as a law enforcement training program manager ensuring law enforcement certification and training requirements are accomplished by staff members.
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23. Develop instructional methods to present law enforcement/criminal investigation subjects in classrooms.
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24. Determine the most efficient method for teaching developed courses.
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25. Educate staff members and visitors about the significance of park resource protection and conservation by explaining necessary laws and regulations to provide safe and non-resource impacting visitation experiences.
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26. Perform assigned emergency response duties within the Incident Command System (ICS).
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27. Lead and organize search and rescue (SAR) or emergency medical services (EMS) operations and responses.
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28. Lead post operational analysis and After-Action Reviews (AAR) to improve emergency response operations and visitor safety.
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29. Provide emergency medical services at an advanced level to sick and injured visitors and employees.
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30. Maintain contact with community officials, public and interest groups regarding matters that impact the protection of visitors or natural resources.
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31. Work with other law enforcement officials within and outside the organization in performing detection, investigation, apprehension, prosecution, and related law enforcement activities in connection with the legal authority of those jurisdictions.
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32. Interact with and assist a diverse public to include different cultures, ages, social, ethnic, and economic groups.
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QTMATE (Job-related Technical Assessment): Please answer each of the following questions. Read all responses before making your selection and mark only one response. Do not leave any blank. (limit characters)
33. In what type of federal jurisdiction does the NPS have the general possessory interest rights of a landowner including the ability to enforce NPS regulations and non-SMTJ 18USC statutes?
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34. What court case established "objective reasonableness" as the primary factor when reviewing use of force?
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35. 1 hour of law enforcement report writing and documentation training is required to be completed by all commissioned NPS officers annually.
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36. Which model of field training does the National Park Service filed training program follow?
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37. Which of the following is NOT a basic requirement to become a Field Training Ranger?
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38. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
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