Seasonal Park Ranger (Lead Backcountry Ranger)

Created at: December 20, 2025 00:22

Company: National Park Service

Location: West Glacier, MT, 59936

Job Description:

These positions may be filled for a six month seasonal period, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-July 2026 For more park(s) information, please visit find a park.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/02/2026-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 To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: Park Ranger, law enforcement; EMT or paramedic; 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. (Note: One grade interval work such as guide, clerk, assistant or technician work (Park Guide or Visitor Services Assistant) in a single grade occupational series at the GS-05 level does NOT qualify for this position, however GS-06 level experience may). You must include hours per week worked. Please also include the grade level of any federal positions. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of graduate level study in directly related fields such as 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, emergency management, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.. You must include transcripts -OR- COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first determine percentage of education requirement satisfied (example 1 semester of graduate study completed would be 50% of the one-year requirement). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. 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. ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.
Assists in overall coordination of the backcountry ranger program. Patrols backcountry areas, contacts visitors, completed various resource management inventories/reports and assists with various backcountry, wilderness, and protection related park projects. May be required to carry a firearm while performing duties. Performs day-to-day or backcountry patrol operations to facilitate visitor understanding and enjoyment and to induce behavior that complies with park regulations. Negotiate with individuals or organizations to resolve conflicts, disputes or grievances. Perform emergency services to ill and injured visitors in a variety of settings. Assists with trip itinerary planning using the "Preventative Search and Rescue" concepts in both front country and back country. Provides a wide range of services to visitors including assistance with lost articles, car trouble and first aid. Provides answers to recurring questions. Interacts with park visitors in a variety of settings which may include any of the following: formal or informal presentation, guided tours/hikes, interaction in remote locations regarding backcountry travel about safety and wilderness travel practices, etc. Duties may also include collecting funds, safe-guarding and reconciling funds and accountable stock.


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