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Posted: February 19, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Natural Resources Specialist (Ranger)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Department of the Army

Fresh

Location

Salary

$40,736 - $80,243

per year

Closes

March 2, 2026More Army jobs →

GS-5 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $33,878 - $44,042

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience. Bachelor's degree.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a Park Ranger with the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers in Kentucky, where you'll help manage parks by planning activities for the environment, recreation, and natural resources at water projects.

It's an entry-level role that involves working with visitors and supporting conservation efforts.

A good fit would be someone with a background in biology or environmental studies who enjoys outdoor work and has some hands-on experience in nature management.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related field (required for GS-05, no experience substitution)
  • For GS-07: One year of specialized experience assisting in environmental, recreational, or natural resource management activities at water resources projects
  • For GS-07 alternative: One full year of graduate education in a relevant field, or Superior Academic Achievement (e.g., high GPA, class standing, or honor society membership)
  • Combination of education and experience acceptable for GS-07 if requirements are met proportionally
  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Ability to provide transcripts if qualifying based on education
  • Relevant paid or unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps)

Full Job Description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves as Park Ranger responsible for planning and implementation of a variety of program areas involving administration, resource management, and visitor services Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.

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).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Management may select at the GS-05, GS-07, or GS-09 grade level. Full performance level of this position is GS-09.

Basic Requirement for Natural Resources Specialist (Ranger): A.

Education: Must have a Bachelor's Degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

There is NO substitution for education at the GS-05 grade level. Basic Educational requirements is sufficient to qualify.

Specialized Experience at the GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience which includes experience utilizing basic biological practices, principles and techniques sufficient to assist in the recommendations of planning and implanting environmental, recreational and natural resources management activities at a water resources project.

Typical experience could include assisting higher level employees in the planning and/or implementation of environmental, recreational and/or natural resource management activities.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.

OR Superior Academic Achievement.

In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above.

Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either; (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18.

Add the two percentages.

Specialized Experience at the GS-09 grade level: One year of specialized experience which includes experience in natural resource management and related laws, policies and regulations as it pertains to biodiversity, threatened and endangered species, wetland protection, and/or cultural resources.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12.

Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Major Duties:

  • Participate in the development of various planning documents, including Master Plans and Operational Management Plans (OMP), for management of the project's man-made and natural resources.
  • Participate in conservation, preservation, restoration and use of project natural and cultural resources.
  • Assist with the coordination of planning and execution of activities related to numerous programs, to include forestry, fisheries, wildlife, shoreline stabilization, boundary surveillance, water quality, historic properties protection etc.
  • Assist in developing and implementing specific land use plans for the project; apply financial management systems, such as CEFMS, P2, and related electronic programs and business functions.
  • Review plans proposed by others on government land and provides recommendations for modifications.
  • Patrol and inspection of project sites, recreation areas, and public use facilities by vehicle, boat, or foot, for safe and usable conditions in accordance with Title 36 Code of Federal Regulation.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/19/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/20/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CEDB-26-12889921-DHA