Park Ranger

Full Job Description

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Oregon/Washington BLM.

Information about each location and the surrounding area can be found at the chamber of commerce site.

We expect to fill many vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available. Note: These are not Law Enforcement positions.

REMINDER: YOUR RESUME CANNOT EXCEED 2 PAGES.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume.

No assumptions will be made about your experience. GS-4: Six (6) months of general and six (6) months of specialized work experience.

Examples of general experience may include working in any administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible field that provided you with a familiarity of natural or cultural history; fish or wildlife habitat characteristics; techniques of resource protection and use; recreational use of public lands and facilities; enforcement of laws, rules, or regulations; fire prevention techniques and fire suppression methods; or the practice of interpersonal relations skills in dealing with the general public.

Examples of specialized experience may include working at a visitor center information desk answering visitor questions that are routine and repetitive pertaining to geographical location of campgrounds, picnic areas, boating areas and other recreational areas; serving as a lookout to detect and report fires, status of fires, and suspicious smoke; or answering visitor's questions at an entrance station and explaining regulations covering common park use situations, such as campground reservations and rules, collection of fees and selling of permits.

-OR- Successful completion of two years of education above high school with at least 12 semester hours of related course work. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.

GS-5: One (1)year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 level.

Examples of specialized experience may include explaining regulations to park visitors; providing information and advice on park activities and resources; collecting fees; issuing reservations and permits; conducting guided tour programs; maintaining recreation facilities or trails; or monitoring special recreation permits.

-OR- Successful completion of four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours of related course work.

-OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.

Related Course Work -- natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science related to the protection of public lands, social sciences, museum sciences, 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 relates to the duties performed by a Park Ranger.

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. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands/Work Environments: Work may be performed indoors or outdoors.

Work may occur in steep, wet and muddy terrain, in campgrounds, recreation sites, visitor centers, offices, fee booths, bathrooms, trails or remote areas requiring extended camping.

Positions may require physical exertions such as extended walking/standing, driving, stooping/crouching, digging, or lifting/carrying.

Individuals should be able to work alone or with people; during day/night/weekend/holiday hours. Major Duties:

• The work varies from location to location. May assist in the performance of day-to-day operations at a visitor center or customer use area that provide facilities such as campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, and/or specialized recreational sites.
• May perform duties such as facility maintenance/repair, litter removal, hauling, routine trail maintenance, toilet cleaning and basic carpentry.
• Park Rangers may have duties that include working with the public to provide information, conduct permit compliance, and safety inspections, as well as landscaping, cleaning of facilities, installing signs, or fee collection.
• Park Rangers may respond to emergencies, ensure facilities and visitor areas are safe, and assist with evaluating use patterns, as well as preparing and maintaining recreation sites.
• They may research and present formal interpretive programs that meet professional interpretive standards.
• Park Rangers may monitor site conditions and natural or cultural resources, and assist senior staff in protecting property from natural degradation.
• In some locations, duties may include leading interpretive hikes for all ages, creating educational displays and curriculum, and staffing events that highlight the area’s natural and cultural history.