Park Ranger

Serves as a Law Enforcement Commissioned Ranger responsible for performing law enforcement duties including detection, investigation, apprehension, detention, and prosecution under provisions of applicable laws, rules, and regulations enacted to insure the protection and safe use of park resources. The primary duty of this position is the enforcement of the criminal laws of the United States through education, investigation, apprehension, and detention of individuals suspected or convicted of violating these laws. Appropriate enforcement to protect park natural, cultural, historical and human resources constitutes the basic reason for the existence of this position and occupies a substantial portion of the Ranger's working time. Other assigned duties include providing emergency services such as emergency medical services, search and rescue, wildland firefighting, etc.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION: The island of Hawaii is subject to high concentrations of volcanic fumes, especially sulfur dioxide gasses. The fumes are known to be hazardous to an unborn fetus, and persons with heart and respiratory problems. The Kona coast primarily experiences vog conditions throughout the year, and occasionally eastern Hawaii island and other Hawaiian islands. Long-term effects on normal healthy persons are unknown.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Rigorous field work requires above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. This includes prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous activities requiring agility and dexterity. Duties often involve working in isolated outdoor environments while exposed to severe weather conditions. Dangerous persons must be physically confronted, subdued, and apprehended many of whom are known to carry weapons. There is a high-stress component associated with much of the incumbent's work assignment.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Duties require extended periods of outdoor work and exposure to conditions including temperatures well below freezing to in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Investigations are conducted on foot, in four-wheel drive vehicles, or other forms of conveyance in remote back country settings. Emergency service and law enforcement work requires entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons, animals, and substances, and potential exposure to infectious diseases. Long periods of surveillance work may be required in cramped or unpleasant locations and under unpleasant conditions. A wide range of personal protective equipment and clothing is required to be used and work, some of which may be uncomfortable, hot or inconvenient to wear. Adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions is required.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement, Friday, December 23, 2016 (unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement).

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate that you possess either the specialized experience or the education as described below. Equivalent combinations of experience and education may also be used to qualify.

Selective Placement Factor (Mandatory Screen-Out): Minimum Age Requirement.

This position has a mandatory requirement that applicants must be at least 21 years of age. (MUST SUPPORT IN RESUME OR WILL BE RATED INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION)

Selective Placement Factor (Mandatory Screen-Out): 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://aonpr29.wildapricot.org/Seasonal-Law-Enforcement-Training-Program. NOTE: This is not regular police officer training.

Applicants must certify in their supporting documents the possession of at least one of the above criteria.  Please include in your resume your commission number with expiration date or your anticipated graduation date from an approved NPS Seasonal Law Enforcement Academy. (MUST SUPPORT IN RESUME OR WILL BE RATED INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION)

Selective Factor - Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Certification (Haleakala NP applicants ONLY) Park Ranger (Protection) positions at Haleakala NP require, at minimum, National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Basic certification in order to provide EMS care. (MUST SUPPORT IN RESUME OR WILL BE RATED INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION)

Selective Factor - Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Certification (Hawaii Volcanoes NP applicants ONLY) Park Ranger (Protection) positions at Hawaii Volcanoes NP require, at minimum, National Registry Emergency Medical Responder certification in order to provide EMS care. (MUST SUPPORT IN RESUME OR WILL BE RATED INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION)

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.

For the GS-05 grade level

A. 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. Examples of specialized experience could include Park Guide or tour leader; 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. –OR-  B. 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- C. Equivalent combinations of education and experience.

For the GS-07 grade level

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience 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. –OR- B. 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- C. Equivalent combinations of education and experience.   

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. In order to receive credit for experience, your resume must clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year ), and the number of hours worked per week.

Credit for experience is given on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

In describing the nature of your duties (your experience), please be clear and concise. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.  

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.  Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course.  All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html  All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

 Foreign Education:   Education completed outside the United States must have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service or education that is recognized by the Secretary of Education from an accredited body http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

Applicants must possess a valid state driver's license. This position requires that you operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit a completed GSA Form 3607, Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.  Your employment, after your tentative selection, will be contingent upon receipt of these documents in a timely manner and that those documents establish, to the satisfaction of the selecting official, that you possess a valid driver's license.  

• Minimum Age - Prior to appointment, applicants must meet the minimum age requirement of 21 years old
• Selectee will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.   Therefore, must be free of any domestic violence convictions.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The individual selected for this position will be subject to and must pass a drug test prior to entrance on duty. Incumbent may be subject to random testing.
• Must wear the National Park Service uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
• May be assigned to work nights, early mornings, rotating shifts, holidays, and weekends.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Occupancy in government housing is not required for this position.
• Government housing may be available.
• Overtime may be required.
• All federal employees are required to have federal payments (salary) made by direct deposit.
• Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (visit www.sss.gov)
• Selectee will be required to perform emergency medical services, and is required to obtain and maintain a First Responder certification.
• Selectee will perform wildland fire duties and must possess or be able to successfully obtain and maintain a Red Card certification.