Park Ranger (Alpine Rescue and Mountaineering)(Seasonal) @ National Park Service

Job Summary

Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027. but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Open to the first 100 applicants or until 10/26/2026 whichever comes first. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Qualifications

• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
• GS-7 Selective Factors - In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants must also possess the following selective factors to be considered for this position.
• 1. Emergency Medical Technician - Applicants must have a current Emergency Medical Technician or higher (EMT, Paramedic, etc.). You must include a copy of your certification with your application.
• 2. United States Pro-1 Level Avalanche Certification - Applicants must enter on duty with a Pro-1 Level Avalanche Certification. If you are attending a course between the application period and entry on duty, you MUST indicate which organization will be providing the training and expected course completion date.
• 3. This position performs alpine rescue and mountaineering and requires applicants to have at least 20 professional ascents of routes on peaks over 14,000 feet where at least half the routes are typified by overwhelming glaciated terrain OR have completed an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) or IFMGA-affiliated (International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations) Advanced Alpine Guide Course or an Advanced Ski Guide Course. Applicants must document how they meet this requirement to be considered qualified for this position (best done in a separate climbing resume or log to reflect professional ascents). Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. GS-9 Selective Factors - In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants must also possess the following selective factors to be considered for this position.
• 1. This position performs alpine rescue and mountaineering and requires applicants to have at least 20 professional ascents of routes on peaks over 14,000 feet where at least half the routes are typified by overwhelming glaciated terrain OR have completed an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) or IFMGA-affiliated (International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations) Advanced Alpine Guide Course or an Advanced Ski Guide Course.
• 2. This position requires applicants to have an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification or higher through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or the equivalent through a State Emergency Medical Service Organization. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by entry on duty will receive no further consideration for this position.
• 3. This position requires applicants to be a certified Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) or Helicopter All-Hazards Crewmember (HEAC).

Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.

• GS-7 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).
• Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: park guide or tour leader; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; 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.
• You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- EDUCATION

• Successful completion of at least one full year of graduate study in one of the following fields: 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, behavior sciences, sociology or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.
• IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit.
• You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed.
• If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. -OR- COMBINATION of education and experience as described above.
• To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent).
• Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide it by 12 months.
• Add the percentages together.
• The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.
• You must submit a copy of your transcripts.
• GS-9 EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

This experience MUST include

• 1) Climbing alpine mountaineering routes in a professional capacity (ex: Park Ranger, Mountain Guide, or Instructor);
• 2) Performing emergency medical services; and
• 3) Managing search and rescue activities.

You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- EDUCATION

• Successful completion of at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the occupation.
• You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education. -OR- Combination of education and experience as described above.
• You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education.
• Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors.
• The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.
• 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

• GS-7 duties: The chief duties of this position include professional alpine mountaineering, aviation, technical rope rescue, avalanche forecasting, and emergency medical services.
• You participate as a team leader or member on patrols to climb any of the 25 main routes on Mount Rainier.
• Leading technical rope rescue and helicopter rescues in an alpine mountaineering environment within Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks.
• Must be proficient as a backcountry skier or snowboarder.
• Staffing front-country ranger stations and registering climbers where preventative search and rescue and resource protection messages are given.
• Staffing climbing high camps including helping with general upkeep, cleaning, and sanitation of backcountry facilities.
• Leading multi-day alpine mountaineering patrols at Mount Rainier and occasionally at other national parks.
• Additional GS-9 duties: Staffing high camps and performing climbing patrols on Mount Rainier.
• Conducting training and teaching advanced mountaineering techniques.
• Performing alpine rescues, conducting emergency medical services, as well as a broad array of aviation/helicopter insertion and extraction techniques including Human External Cargo (short haul) operations.
• Duties related to visitor services and resource protection make up a third of the position.
• The incumbent makes visitor contacts and ensures that visitors are complying with park regulations.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
• Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
• Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing.
• You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards.
• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work.
• You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license will be required in such cases.
• You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
• You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and:

• (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
• (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or
• (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or
• (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.