This position serves as a Park Ranger in Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) in any organizational unit within the National Park Service. The primary purpose of this uniformed position is to perform a variety of park ranger duties associated with preventing search and rescue incidents from occurring in park units managed by the National Park Service (NPS). .
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/13/2026-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. SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position performs Emergency Medical Services, and as such, you must be able to possess Emergency Medical Responder certification issued by National Registry. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. You must possess a current National Registry Emergency Medical Responder (NR-EMR) certification (or higher-level National Registry certification) or Able to obtain certification as a National Registry Emergency Medical Responder by entrance on duty date - to be considered, you must be enrolled in the training by closing date of this announcement. (You must indicate which school you will be/are attending and your expected completion date in your resume). - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: Possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service, obtained in either the public or private sectors. Specialized experience is experience performing management, assistant or program specialist duties involving the development and implementation of policy for the protection, conservation, use, and management of natural and/or cultural resources in park areas or similar operations. Examples may include Emergency Services (emergency medical response, search and rescue, emergency dispatch, backcountry patrols to provide visitors with information and education to ensure their safety and safe use of park resources; report and/or assist with visitor issues/problems that may involve medical concerns; monitor special use permit compliance and threats to park resources; assist with park incidents/emergencies/etc., law enforcement, fire management (wildland and/or structural)or park guide/tour leader work. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Have successfully completed one (1) 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, 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 include transcripts. -OR- Combination: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience. For example: Have six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement, and nine (9) semester hours of graduate level college study in a directly related field of study (50% of the related coursework required). You must include hours per week worked. 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.
Open to the first 50 applicants or until 01/13/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. Some of the duties you will perform include, but not limited to: Serve as a member of the park's All-Hazard Incident Management Team by responding to incidents that may include search and rescue, emergency medical services, special law enforcement operations, or natural disasters. Participate in operational assessments and help prepare for unplanned and/or emergent incidents. Respond to emergency medical calls including trail response, ground/hasty searches, motor vehicle accidents, and helicopter rescues; provide advanced patient care and transportation as part of a comprehensive EMS response, conduct field treatment until definitive care is provided by a higher-trained medical provider. Patrol park resources to include backcountry and wilderness areas, trails, shorelines, and campgrounds; provide visitors with information and education to facilitate safe visitor use of park resources; identify and report violations of regulations concerning the use of protected or public lands. Educate park visitors about a variety of subjects including hazards in the park and how to avoid them, backcountry safety, preparedness, safe hiking and what to do in the case of an emergency, recreational opportunities, park resources and its natural and cultural history. Will train, mentor, and coach lower-graded employees, partners, volunteers, interns, and the public with informal and formal training regarding PSAR-related policies, practices, processes, etc. Review standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the implementation of PSAR-related systems, processes, and procedures. Performs more complex operational assignments, requiring initiative and resourcefulness to carry out day to day planning and execution, or to oversee the execution of operational assignments. Manage the preventive search and rescue volunteer program and provide leadership and direction to volunteers. Participate as a member of the parks technical rescue team. Park Information: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore The distinctive features of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore include the scenic and recreational assets of over 64 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and the nearby North and South Manitou Islands. Park features include massive sand dunes; pristine, undeveloped beaches; forested hills; quiet rivers, and secluded inland lakes; the geological history of continental glaciation; and the stories of American Indian, maritime, agriculture, and recreation history. Cultural resources include nationally recognized maritime structures and artifacts from the U.S. Lighthouse and Life-Saving Services era and a variety of cultural landscapes. The Lakeshore contains outstanding examples of ancient glacial landforms, along with diverse natural resources in various ecosystems. High dunes form the background for some of the best examples of mature beech/maple hardwood forests in the National Park Service.