- Position Title
- Park Ranger (P) - National K9 Program Manager
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- WO-1614-VRP-25-12755102-IMP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, July 8, 2025 to Monday, July 21, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
This position has an age requirement. Enter or select your date of birth.
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
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.
- 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.
3.
Are you a current career/career-conditional Department of the Interior Federal employee and meet the following Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibility:
Current Department of the Interior Federal employee with a career or career- conditional appointment in the competitive service that holds, 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 Department of the Interior 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 Department of The Interior employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
Current Department of the Interior Federal employee with a career or career- conditional appointment in the competitive service that holds, 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 Department of the Interior 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 Department of The Interior employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
4.
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:
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).
- 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).
5.
Are you a current career/career-conditional Department of the Interior Federal employee and meet the following Non-competitive Merit Promotion Eligibility:
Current Department of the Interior 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 Department of the Interior 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 Department of the Interior employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
Current Department of the Interior 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 Department of the Interior 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 Department of the Interior employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
Due Weight Performance
1.
My performance is at an acceptable level and I am not serving under a formal Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Park Ranger (P) - National K9 Program Manager. Please answer the following questions pertaining to your experience and qualifications.
SELECTIVE FACTOR
1.
Choose the statement that best describes your experience and/or training.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience, you must possess prior law enforcement experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement officer position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience, you must possess prior law enforcement experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement officer position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government.
2.
Choose the statement that best describes your experience and/or training.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience, you must currently possess a Type I National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Commission or be able to obtain one. You will be required to obtain and maintain a Type I Law Enforcement Commission after you begin work. Indicate below if you hold, or have held, a NPS (Type I) Law Enforcement Commission within the past three years.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience, you must currently possess a Type I National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Commission or be able to obtain one. You will be required to obtain and maintain a Type I Law Enforcement Commission after you begin work. Indicate below if you hold, or have held, a NPS (Type I) Law Enforcement Commission within the past three years.
3.
Choose the statement that best describes your experience and/or training.
Prior experience handling a K9 service animal that conducts searches, locating or tracking, protects officers or public from threats, deployment as reasonable control measure to effect arrest (Graham v. Connor) and as a public relations tool.
Prior experience handling a K9 service animal that conducts searches, locating or tracking, protects officers or public from threats, deployment as reasonable control measure to effect arrest (Graham v. Connor) and as a public relations tool.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PARK RANGER (P) - NATIONAL K9 PROGRAM MANAGER POSITION
4.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform Park Ranger (P) - National K9 Program Manager work at the GS-11 level or equivalent.
Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
For the questions below, please select the best answer or answers to indicate the skill level that you possess for each task listed. The questions were developed based on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies needed to perform the work of this position. Your responses will be used to determine minimum eligibility and qualification requirements. Be sure that your experience as listed in your application materials supports your responses to the questions below. Each of your responses must be clearly supported by your education, training, and/or specific work experience that you describe in your application packet submitted for this position (application form or resume, transcripts, list and description of training completed and/or other items you submit). If not, your score will be lowered, or you will be found not qualified. The information you provide will be verified. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.
Criminal Law - Knowledge of state and federal criminal laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to admissibility of evidence and prosecution.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
5.
Enforce compliance with laws and regulations through methods extending from using verbal or written warnings and citation and physical custody arrest.
6.
Exercise arrest, search, and seizure authority consistent with state and federal laws and regulations.
7.
Conduct interviews and investigates highly sensitive and complex law enforcement incidents.
8.
Determine the proper course of action and plans, coordinates, initiates, and takes actions necessary to resolve the complaint or inquiry. Adapts investigative methods, techniques, and procedures to specific cases.
9.
Write technical law enforcement reports and documents. Prepares witness statements, affidavits, criminal complaints, and a variety of law enforcement reports.
10.
Coordinate with attorneys and agency personnel in preparation for prosecutions and testify in federal or state court.
Decisiveness - Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data are limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
11.
Evaluate K9 handler performance and provide guidance.
12.
Analyze and update existing K9 procedures and policies for implementation within a federal agency.
Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
13.
Provide a verbal briefing to others to convey information related to law enforcement, emergency medical services, and search and rescue.
14.
Work with a variety of workgroups/agencies to achieve common goals.
15.
Limit, prevent, resolve, and/or defuse potentially violent disputes/confrontation.
16.
Demonstrate understanding, tact, empathy, and concern in handling contentious or stressful situations.
17.
Advise visitors regarding the rules and limitations on park use such as visitor safety, recreation activities, fire, and sanitation to gain compliance.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of military, weaponry, and intelligence operations; public safety and security operations; occupational health and safety; investigation and inspection techniques; or rules, regulations, precautions, and prevention techniques for the protection of people, data, and property.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
18.
Perform emergency services such as searching for missing and lost persons, participating in rescue work resulting from boating or fishing accidents, fires or floods and/or rendering first aid to the injured in order to maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.
19.
Navigate backcountry or wilderness areas using a map, compass, and/or GPS.
20.
Participates in multiday search activities in remote settings such as wilderness areas.
21.
Maintain firearms and defensive equipment (e.g., taser, pepper spray, batons) to ensure their proper functioning during law enforcement duties.
22.
Apply proper safety techniques in the use of ropes and hardware to perform steep angle rescues.
Technical Competence - Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise (for example, engineering, physical science, law, or accounting); maintains credibility with others on technical matters.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
23.
Apply the laws, principles, and procedures related to preserving the natural, cultural, and human resources of a park by preventing the degradation, deterioration, and destruction of the ecosystems, scenery, wildlife, historical structures and artifacts; and by preventing the loss and theft of objects, flora, and wildlife.
24.
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.
25.
Protect natural or cultural resources from degradation due to visitor use for illegal activities.
26.
Investigate resource based cases (plant, wildlife, cultural and archeological resources).
27.
Investigate poaching of wildlife, tree and plant products.
VERIFICATION STATEMENT
28.
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 CFR 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.