Park Ranger (River Patrol)
Bureau of Land Management
Posted: February 12, 2026 (8 days ago)
This job has been posted for 1-2 weeks. Still a good time to apply.
Bureau of Land Management
Department of the Interior
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).
This job involves patrolling rivers as a park ranger, guiding visitors on outdoor activities, and ensuring safety in rugged natural areas, mainly through rowing rafts on challenging whitewater sections.
It's a short-term seasonal role in Oregon locations like Baker City, perfect for someone adventurous with hands-on experience in boating and nature recreation.
Ideal candidates are outdoorsy types who enjoy educating the public and handling rescue situations on the water.
This position is in Oregon/Washington State Office, Baker City, Deschutes, or Grants Pass Field Offices. For information on locations please see Additional Information Section.
This is a temporary seasonal appointment, defined as employment in a position performing annually recurring work lasting less than six months per year, not to exceed 1,560 hours per service year.
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.
SELECTIVE FACTORS: This position requires skill and expertise to safely and securely row a 15-16 foot oar framed raft in whitewater rapids rated on the International Scale up to Class IV.
Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. Your resume must show how you qualify for this Selective Factor.
This position requires knowledge and experience of whitewater rescue techniques to include swift water swimming, recognition of swift water hazards, knowledge of shallow and deep water crossings, and rescue problems.
Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. Your resume must show how you qualify for this Selective Factor.
This position requires skill and expertise safely navigating in whitewater rapids rated on the International Scale up to Class IV.
Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. Your resume must show how you qualify for this Selective Factor.
GS-5: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4 level.
Examples of specialized experience may include 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; monitoring special recreation permits.
Your experience must include navigating through Class III-V whitewater rapids; -OR- Successful completion of a full four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, which included 24 semester hours of related course work.
No more than 6 semester hours in math is creditable; -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.
GS-6: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 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; developing and conducting guided tour programs; maintaining recreation facilities or trails; monitoring special recreation permits; conducting potable water tests in compliance with appropriate state laws; or assisting with supervision of seasonal recreation technicians.
Your experience must include navigating through Class III-V whitewater rapids.
-OR- Successful completion of one full academic year (45 quarter or 30 semester hours) of graduate education related to the occupation (i.e.
related course work) or superior academic achievement., which included 24 semester hours of related course work.
No more than 6 semester hours in math is creditable; -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.
GS-7: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to work experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 level.
Examples of specialized experience may include experience as park guide or tour leader; archaeological 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; planning day to day operation of a recreation area providing such facilities as camping, water sports, picnic areas, or coordinating routine activities with maintenance personnel; advising visitors concerning safety, fire prevention, and proper and authorized uses of recreational facilities.
Your experience must include navigating through Class III-V whitewater rapids.
-OR- Successful completion of one full academic year (45 quarter or 30 semester hours) of graduate education related to the occupation (i.e.
related course work) or superior academic achievement., which included 24 semester hours of related course work.
No more than 6 semester hours in math is creditable; -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.
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 on 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:
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