Park Ranger

Full Job Description

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. We expect to fill 4 vacancies at the following locations.

Information about the locations can be found by clicking on the hyperlinks. Taos, New Mexico Chimayo, New Mexico Socorro, New Mexico Grants, New Mexico Note: These are not Law Enforcement positions.

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. In addition to specialized experience requirements listed below there is an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for this job series.

Your resume must demonstrate experience in one of the following areas: Individual Occupational Requirement: Experience that demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.

Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work.

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., -OR- Undergraduate Education: Education with a major study in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, 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 provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled.

Minimum Qualifications: At the GS-05 Level: Applicants must possess one full 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 or environmental education programs; maintaining recreation facilities or trails; monitoring special recreation permits; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; or management assistant or program specialist work involving policy related to conservation or management of parks, or other similar work.

-OR- Education: Successful completion of at least a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree or higher from a accredited college or university with 24 semester hours of related work in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources that has provided the knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in this position.

- OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate undergraduate education.

Undergraduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

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: The work is performed mostly outdoors in rugged terrain; to include very steep, wet, muddy, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces.

The position requires physical exertion such as, but not limited to, driving over unpaved roads, walking over rough terrain or inclines, standing for long periods of time bending, crouching and stooping, digging, hiking, lifting, biking, stretching, reaching, or similar activities.

Work may involve early morning hours, night hours, or daytime hours and may require working holidays. It can require carrying heavy backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, or other loads.

Work Environment: Most work will be performed out of doors, in all types of weather conditions, terrain, and elevations.

Work may take place in an extremely remote environment and may require primitive camping and living skills for upwards of two weeks in duration. Indoor duties are performed in a normal office setting.

Major Duties:

• Oversees fee collection activities, maintaining records on and accounting for funds, and submitting deposits.
• Monitors condition of sites and natural/cultural resources; ensuring protection of property from natural depredation.
• Prepares recreation areas/sites for visitor use, to include planning, operation, and required maintenance.
• Patrols and inspects facilities ensuring compliance with rules and regulations pertaining to parking, campfires, noise level, sanitation, and safety.
• Assists with Recreation Use Permits (RUPs); including issuance of permits, permit renewals, monitoring of permitted uses, collection of fees, permit compliance, and data entry; handling or reporting suspected violations.
• Advises visitors concerning safety, fire prevention, amenities available, and proper and authorized uses of recreational facilities.
• Assists in gathering and analyzing data related to existing recreational resources to recognize prominent trends.