Seasonal Park Ranger (Preventative Search and Rescue)

Full Job Description

NOTE: OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season.

This exception allows up to 1560 hours which may extend the season(s) reflected in this announcement. See the Additional Information section for details.

Applicants that apply to and are selected for McCarthy will be duty stationed at Kennecott, AK.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 03/12/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position requires a valid National Registry Emergency Medical Technician or higher-level certification at the time of application.

You MUST upload a copy of your certification with your application and/or include the level of certification and expiration date in your resume, or you will be rated ineligible.

If you do not provide a copy of your certification at the time of application, you will be required to provide a copy prior to the anticipated entrance on duty date.

-AND- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required.

Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties.

-AND- To be eligible your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration.

The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraphs. Areas considered "near" Wrangell-St.

Elias National Park and Preserve are Chisana, Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Dot Lake, Gakona, Gakona Junction, Glennallen, Gulkana, Healy Lake, Kenny Lake, Long Lake, Lower & Upper Tonsina, McCarthy, Mendeltna, Mentasta Lake, Nabesna, Nelchina, Northway/Northway Village, Northway Junction, Slana, Tanacross, Tazlina, Tetlin, Tok, Tonsina and Yakutat.

-ALSO- The following are the competencies identified for this position.

Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies: Ability to perform wilderness route finding and travel safely in remote and trail-less conditions.

Ability to perform Search and Rescue duties. Ability to perform resource monitoring and management. Ability to perform public use management. Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to communicate verbally. Ability to perform emergency medical services. Major Duties:

The typical season for this position is April - September but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. The anticipated entry on duty is April 2026.

Duties of the position include, but are not limited to the following: Patrols an area of the park including popular camp sites and trail system and back country areas providing visitor information and assistance.

Monitors visitor use and impact on park resources. Assists in preventing and managing human-wildlife conflicts. Assists with monitoring permit holders and park concessionaires.

Responds to emergencies and provides first aid and/or medical care and assists with searches and rescues.

Performs backcountry field operations to include day or multiple day travel in a remote and trail-less wilderness setting to contact and educate visitors regarding Leave No Trace principles, monitors travel and resource conditions, prepares computer-based reports, trains other staff, assists in hunting patrols to help ensure against illegal activities and to monitor the resource, and assists in emergencies.

Please visit find a park for additional park information.