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This position is located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, in the Division of Visitor, Fire, and Resource Protection.
Occupancy of government quarters is required.
Incentives may be available for this position.
05/21/2025 to 06/06/2025
$89,068 - $115,793 per year
GS 12
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
None
Yes
Yes
PW-1549-SEKI-25-12677000-ST
837358500
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Current or former employees of a base management agency.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Military spouses relocating under PCS orders or whose spouse is 100% disabled or died while on active duty.
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
This announcement is open to current and former Federal career/career-conditional employees in the Competitive service, Reinstatement eligibles, Eligible Veterans, CTAP & ICTAP eligibles, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibles, Military Spouses, Former Public Land Corps (PLC) members, individuals with disabilities, National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA), and special authorities.
The incumbent has primary responsibility for law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical services, visitor services operations, and natural resources management, in the large, heavily used front-country and wilderness areas of the parks. Serves as a Commissioned Law Enforcement Ranger responsible for performing law enforcement duties including detection, investigation, apprehension, detention and prosecution under provisions of applicable laws, rules and regulations enacted to ensure the protection and safe use of National Park Service resources. The primary duty of this position is the supervision and enforcement of the criminal laws of the United States through investigation, apprehension, education and detention of individuals suspected or convicted of violating these laws. Appropriate enforcement to protect park natural, cultural, historical and human resources constitutes the basic reason for the existence of this position, occupies a substantial portion of the Ranger's working time and is assigned on a regular and recurring basis.
Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to undergo periodic medical examinations throughout employment.
Prior to appointment, the people selected for these positions 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.
A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR 575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks represent an extraordinary continuum of ecosystems (96% designated wilderness) arrayed along the greatest vertical relief (1,370 to 14,505 feet elevation) of any protected area in the lower 48 states. They are the highest, most rugged reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (including Mount Whitney at 14,500 feet elevation) and feature the world's largest trees - Giant Sequoias. Sequoia National Park is the nation's second oldest national park (established September 25, 1890) and encompasses 404,863 acres. Kings Canyon was established on March 4, 1940 and encompasses 458,847 acres. Both parks provide a wealth of recreational opportunities via 835 miles of trails, wild and scenic rivers, alpine lakes, and caves, along with a full range of overnight lodging prospects to choose from that include 14 campgrounds. For area information visit: https://www.nps.gov/seki/getinvolved/workwithus.htm.
There is no educational substitution for this grade level.
Working Conditions: While periods of time may be in an office setting, most of the work is performed outdoors in extremes of weather and climatic conditions. The work is performed at various hours of the day and night and for prolonged periods during emergency situations. The incumbent is frequently exposed to high-risk and potentially dangerous situations in law enforcement and emergency situations requiring use of a wide range of personal protective gear, adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions. Long periods of surveillance work may be required in cramped or unpleasant locations and under stressful conditions. Shift work is often required. Incumbent is required to operate motor vehicles of various types and be a passenger in aviation assets. Law enforcement and other emergency operations will require entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons, animals, substances and potential exposure to infectious diseases. Travel in government aircraft may be required. This air travel may affect employee's private life insurance policies, which often contain clauses excluding life insurance coverage for aviation, SCUBA diving, skydiving and other hazards.
Work occurs in elevations ranging from 1000ft-14,505ft. Climatic conditions vary from summer temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in lower elevation areas to temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit at higher elevations during the winter season. Emergency response - such as response for law enforcement, search and rescue, fire, or emergency medical services - involve stressful situations and expedited response to often hazardous or unsafe situations. Safety of personnel is a primary concern in such circumstances. Emergency medical care may involve risk of exposure to potentially lethal blood-borne pathogens and requires the use of personal protective equipment. The incumbent is required to be, and will be, exposed to potential carriers of communicable diseases and blood borne pathogen, on a regular basis. This exposure is the result of having to provide law enforcement and emergency medical care. The incumbent is also exposed to high frequency noise during search and rescue, law enforcement and emergency medical care activities. Firefighting work is predominately outdoors in all types of weather, anytime of day, and possibly for extended periods of time.
The incumbent is subject to temperature extremes, wind, rain, snow, full sun and subject to extreme heat, burns, falling objects, exposure to smoke and noxious fumes. The work environment itself involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations and unusual environmental stress requiring a range of safety and other precautions.
For more information about this position, please contact:
Dave Fox, Acting Chief Ranger, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
dave_fox@nps.gov
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Physical Demands: Indoor work is generally performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. Office duties require periods of sitting and the physical ability to operate computers and other common office equipment. There will be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items.
Field work regularly includes long periods of standing, hiking and climbing in uneven, steep, rough, slippery and rugged terrain. Strenuous exertion is frequently required in law enforcement, firefighting, search and rescue, medical and related emergency activities. Lifting or carrying equipment weighing over 50 pounds, such as firefighting or search and rescue equipment is required. Duties involve performing physically rigorous assignments in isolated outdoor environments while exposed to severe weather conditions. Physical fitness requirements must be met on a continuing basis. There is a physical, mental and emotional high-stress component to much of the incumbent's work assignment. The incumbent will be required to participate in the NPS physical fitness program.
Travel in light fixed-wing aircraft and/or helicopters may be required. Structural firefighting work routinely involves physically rigorous assignments and strenuous activity. The incumbent must maintain excellent physical condition to carry out assigned responsibilities including the ability to an arduous duty physical and handle a variety of heavy and cumbersome firefighting equipment. Emergency firefighting situations often require clear reasoning and decisive action under conditions of extreme mental and physical stress.
Work typically requires the daily operation of a motor vehicle (automobiles, pick-up trucks) on steep mountainous roads. Skill and knowledge to operate vehicles in a variety of conditions (i.e. - rain, fog) over a variety of mountain roads including highways, narrow roads with various surfaces, and on steep winding grades. Work includes driving to sites up to 100 miles from park headquarters. Incumbent must be able to perform occasional travel assignments.
Telework: The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are unsuitable for telework.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.
Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/06/2025.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/06/2025. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/837358500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.