About this role
Job SummaryYou will serve as a Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection), this position is in the Division of Ranger Activities of the Law Enforcement & Resource Protection Branch within the Shenandoah National Park.
QualificationsRequirements Continued: Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/25/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years) a valid National Park Service Full Type I Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent, by 08/25/2026. More information can be found in the 'Education' section of this job announcement. This is a covered secondary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). In addition to the qualifying experience and/or education described above, applicants for this position must possess experience gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement position or equivalent. -AND- Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: performing Law Enforcement duties for the protection, conservation, use, and management of natural and/or cultural resources in park areas or similar operations; 1. Application of law enforcement authorities and procedures to protect visitors and resources; 2. providing law enforcement or investigative services which include apprehending, detaining, detection, and prosecution of individuals; applying knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and areas of jurisdiction when serving as a person with law enforcement authority; 3. responding to accidents, emergencies, and/or natural disaster; using precautionary methods and techniques while patrolling to mitigate any crimes or violations of the law; 4. providing program oversite and guidance to Search and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Technical Rescue, and All Hazard operations. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, anthropology, park and recreation management; law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, or sociology. You must include transcripts. -OR- Have successfully completed three (3) full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education with studies in the following: natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, anthropology, park and recreation management; law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, or sociology. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience as listed above. To qualify for this combination, you must convert each portion of education and experience into a percentage. When added together, those percentages must equal 100 percent to qualify under the combination criteria. 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 DutiesSome of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Detection, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution under applicable laws, rules, and regulations enacted to insure the protection and safe use of National Park resources. Educate, interpret, and inform visitors about resources, conservation, laws, and regulations. Potential for supervision of emergency medical services program, technical rescue operations, search and rescue program, and helicopter rescue operations. Potential for supervision of the preventative search and rescue operation including seasonal staff hiring and supervision. Functions as a first line law enforcement supervisor.RequirementsMust provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. Must possess and maintain a current EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN or higher certification. Pre-employment and random drug testing is required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment. Firearm qualification and certification are required for the role, and ongoing proficiency must be maintained You must at least 21 years old. You must be free of any domestic violence convictions. Must maintain a delegation of law enforcement authority. Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties, pass a medical examination, and pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB). The 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 upper body strength for one repetition; 3) 1.5 mile run - measures cardio/respiratory fitness; 4) sit and reach - measures flexibility in the lower back, legs and shoulders; and 5) body composition - measures body fat. Prior to appointment, selectees will be tested in all five components, and must pass the agility run, bench press and 1.5 mile run in the 25th percentile. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. *Additional Requirements located under Qualifications*