Seasonal Park Ranger

Summary NOTE: OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season. This exception allows up to 1560 hours which may extend the season(s) reflected in this announcement. See the Additional Information section for details. The typical season for this position is April - October but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. The anticipated entry on duty is May 2026. Learn more about this agency Duties Duties of the position include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent primarily serves to supplement the lead trail ranger and permanent Park Ranger work force by performing backcountry visitor services that include assisting with emergency services, informal interpretations and search & rescue. The duties are primarily performed in the National Historic Chilkoot Trail, but may include other areas within Klondike Gold Rush National Historical park. Incumbent will provide effective oral and written communication, and is responsible for daily backcountry interpretive/safety talks at the Sheep Camp recreational campground to prepare hikers for the most strenuous part of the trail and ensure hiker readiness and ensure an understanding of trail hazards. Incumbent may assist with management of natural or cultural resources and monitoring of commercial and special park uses. Duties may involve the hazing and/or conditioning of food conditioned or habituated bears in the furtherance of park goals and public safety. Operates a non-commercial government vehicle (less than 10,000 GVW) to transport people, equipment, and/or materials as part of assigned duties. In addition to the above, duties at the GS-07 grade level include but are not limited to the following: Serves as the primary lead trail ranger under the direction of the permanent Park Ranger workforce. In addition to providing effective oral and written communication to visitors, the incumbent is responsible for daily backcountry interpretive/safety talks at the Sheep Camp recreational campground to prepare hikers for the most strenuous part of the trail, they will also assist the GS-5 positions with developing their programs. Serve as the backcountry travel subject matter expert and safety escort for field projects performed by less experienced NPS employees. Incumbent is expected to collaborate and work closely with other park divisions, park partners and cooperating agencies, including the City of Skagway, US Department of homeland Security, Alaska State Troopers, U.S. Forest Service, and Parks Canada in emergency situations. Incumbent responds to searches, accidents, and injuries throughout the park, generally in cooperation with local fire and EMS agencies. Position is also responsible for inventoring backcountry emergency response gear and medical kits and communicates needs to permanent Park Rangers. Incumbent will actively participate in helicopter operations, both internal and external loads, once they have received certificated training provided by the NPS. Operates non-motorized watercraft for travel across the Taiya River. Please visit find a park for additional park information. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. At the GS-05 grade level you must obtain and maintain a Basic First Aid and CPR or higher-level certification by the anticipated entrance on duty date. At the GS-07 grade level you will be 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. At the GS-07 grade level you will be assigned the collateral duty requiring firearms in the back-country or other locations for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals. At the GS-07 grade level you will be required to operate a small watercraft in performing this duty, you may be required to have a current Department of Interior Motorboat Operator Certification Course (DOI-MOCC) certificate. On the job training will be provided. At the GS-07 grade level you will be required to obtain and maintain a current Wilderness First Responder or higher-level medical certification by the anticipated entrance on duty date. You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a 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 disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You must have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. *Additional Requirements located under the Qualifications section* Qualifications *Requirements continued: You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. You are required to obtain and maintain a valid US Passport or US Passport Card. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 16 nights per month. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 04/20/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. SELECTIVE FACTOR: At the GS-05 grade level you must possess and maintain a current, valid Basic First Aid and CPR or higher-level medical certification, prior to the anticipated entrance on duty date. You must upload a copy of your certification with your application or state the level and expiration date or completion date in your resume. If you do not currently have a valid Basic First Aid and CPR or higher-level certification, but will prior to the anticipated entrance on duty date, you must include the anticipated date of obtaining the certification in your resume. If selected and the certification was not provided at the time of application, you must provide a copy prior to the anticipated entrance on duty date. SELECTIVE FACTOR: At the GS-07 grade level you must possess and maintain a current, valid Wilderness First Responder or higher-level medical certification, prior to the anticipated entrance on duty date. You must upload a copy of your certification with your application or state the level and expiration date or completion date in your resume. If you do not currently have a valid Wilderness First Responder or higher-level certification, but will prior to the anticipated entrance on duty date, you must include the anticipated date of obtaining the certification in your resume. If selected and the certification was not provided at the time of application, you must provide a copy prior to the anticipated entrance on duty date. -AND- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required. Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties. -AND- To be eligible your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration. The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraph: Areas considered "near" Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park are the Municipality of Skagway Borough, which includes the communities of Skagway, Dyea, Haines, Klukwan, Gustavus, and Juneau. -ALSO- The following are the competencies identified for this position. Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies: Required to have Basic First Aid/CPR or higher level of medical training by the anticipated entrance on duty date. (GS-05 grade level only) Skills in backcountry travel and safety knowledge including bear safety and hazing techniques. Ability to communicate orally to diverse groups in a variety of settings. Ability and experience writing regular patrol reports, incident reports or similar documents. Ability to work closely with other divisions, partners, cooperating agencies or similar. Experience as a First Responder, Emergency Trauma Technician, or other medical training with possession of a Wilderness First Responder certificate or higher emergency medical certification by the anticipated entrance on duty date. (GS-07 grade level only) Ability to operate non-motorized row or oar boats. (GS-07 grade level only) Education There is no substitution of education for the required special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof as outlined in this announcement. Additional information NOTE: In support of Executive Order (EO) 14189 "Celebrating America's 250th Birthday" and EO 14314 "Making America Beautiful Again by Improving our National Parks," the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved an exception to the 1039-hour time limitation for this position. This approval may extend the time limitation up to 1560 hours for this temporary seasonal appointment. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. This is an excepted service appointment that does not confer competitive status. Government housing is not available. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selectee. Alaska currently does not have a state income tax. Selectee may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries. Physical Demands at the GS-05 grade level: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, and the incumbent must have the ability to routinely carry backpacks of up to 50 pounds in steep terrain and in adverse weather conditions. Work Environment at the GS-05 grade level: The work is performed in a setting in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness, e.g., high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions. Physical Demands at the GS-07 grade level: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, etc. The work, on a regular and recurring basis, requires physical exertion such as climbing, hiking and lifting heavy objects. Work may be performed on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain. Work Environment at the GS-07 grade level: The work is performed in a setting in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness, (e.g., high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions). The work environment may involve high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress. In addition, work may be performed in areas of extremely rough terrain with wide annual variations in climatic conditions. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.