The Park Ranger (Chief Lifeguard) serves as the Supervisory Water Safety Coordinator and oversees lifeguard operations and park-wide safety at Assateague Island National Seashore. Manages beaches in MD and VA, leads PSAR efforts, emergency response, and OSHA-compliant safety programs. Serves as Park Safety Officer, coordinating training and interagency safety initiatives in a dynamic coastal environment.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/02/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. 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 resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: This position coordinates medical rescues and provides first aid and medical training for surf lifeguards and requires current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or higher, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certifications at the time of application. 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 at time of application. Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: Supervising or managing ocean lifeguard operations; Conducting preventative search and rescue (PSAR) and water safety education; Performing ocean rescues and emergency medical response; Conducting safety inspections and implementing OSHA-compliant safety programs; Leading training programs for lifeguards and emergency responders. -OR - Education: Successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the occupation. The major study must be in 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 supply transcripts if using education to qualify. -OR - Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify and you must supply transcripts if using education to qualify. 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 (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties include, but are not limited to: You would lead the park's ocean lifeguard and preventative search and rescue (PSAR) program, ensuring visitor safety across two lifeguarded beaches. You would supervise and train seasonal lifeguard staff, manage daily operations, and oversee equipment, facilities, and emergency response readiness. You would serve as the park's Safety Officer, conducting OSHA-compliant inspections and leading safety initiatives. You would develop and deliver public education programs on water safety and ocean hazards. You would coordinate with internal teams and external partners to improve safety outcomes and emergency preparedness. You would also respond to water-related emergencies and provide first aid and lifesaving care as needed. This is a permanent Career-Seasonal appointment. This position includes the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work approximately from January to November and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year. The selectee will work during annually recurring periods of employment for the position, which will last at least six (6) months but total less than twelve (12) months per calendar year. When operation needs and/or funds are not available, the selectee will be placed in non-pay status. Placement in non-pay status will not be on a sporadic, occasional, or unplanned basis. Benefits while in a non-pay status - While in non-pay status your Federal employee Heath Benefits (FEHB) and Federal Employee Group Life Insurance elections will continue. You may elect to cancel or retain your health insurance coverage. If you elect to retain coverage, you may choose between paying the agency directly on a current basis or having the premiums accumulate and be withheld from your pay upon returning to duty.