Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection) (Chief Ranger)

Full Job Description

This position is located in Katmai National Park and Preserve, in the Protection Division. This is an open continuous vacancy announcement.

Applicants will be referred periodically throughout the announcement period.

Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement.

The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (est), April 28th, 2026. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted.

An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience.

For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Selective Factors: Applicants must meet ALL of the following to qualify: Law Enforcement Commission: Must currently possess, previously held (within the past three years), or be able to obtain a valid Type I or higher National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent, by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Secondary Law Enforcement Position: This is a covered secondary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS).

Applicants for this position must possess experience gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement position.

- AND -Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS/GL-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.

(1) Managing or leading law enforcement and resource protection program; (2) Evaluating law enforcement program activities based on funding to determining objectives, amount and location of work, as well as type of resources needed for the program; (3) Interpreting regulations and policy directives related to law enforcement and natural resource protection; (4) Reviewing law enforcement case reports to ensure compliance with policy, mutual aid agreements, cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding; AND/OR (5) Investigating criminal activity, conducting investigations of applicable Federal or state laws, and performing training / instructor responsibilities.

You must include hours per week worked.

Examples of specialized experience could include: 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 other similar work.

You must include hours per worked per week.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Continuation of Requirements: Drug Testing: You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment.

In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Selectee(s) must be free of any domestic violence convictions.

Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.

Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Firearm Proficiency: Selectee(s) will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.

Physical Fitness: Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician.

You will also be required to undergo periodic medical examinations throughout employment.

Physical Efficiency Battery: If applicable, prior to appointment, the people selected for these positions must be determined physically fit by an authorized physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties, pass a medical examination, and pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB).

The PEB is a fitness test consisting of five different components: 1) agility run - measures the ability to get up from the ground and sprint while changing directions; 2) bench press - measures upper body strength for one repetition; 3) 1.5 mile run - measures cardio/respiratory fitness; 4) sit and reach - measures flexibility in the lower back, legs and shoulders; and 5) body composition - measures body fat.

Prior to appointment, selectees will be tested in all five components, and must pass the agility run, bench press and 1.5 mile run in the 25th percentile.

Probationary/Trial Period: If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized.

In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Major Duties:

MAJOR DUTY STATEMENTS: Supervise and mentor field law enforcement staff, both permanent and seasonal Detect, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute under applicable laws, rules, and regulations enacted to ensure the protection and safe use of national park resources Educate, interpret, and inform visitors about resources, conservation, laws, and regulations Provide training in law enforcement disciplines, both formal and informal This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Telework: The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Occupancy: Government housing is available Katmai National Park and Preserve lies on the Alaska Peninsula 290 miles southwest of Anchorage, there is no connection to the road system.

Katmai is known for recent volcanism, large freshwater lakes, pristine drainages, wilderness coastline and biodiversity, including abundant salmon runs and the highest density of protected brown bears in the world.

The park is accessible largely by bush planes and boats only. Aniakchak National Monument and Alagnak Wild and Scenic River are also managed by Katmai.

King Salmon (park headquarters) is a small community with basic amenities (about 150 residents). There is a small convenience store and a couple of restaurants.

The town has seasonal lodges and there is a small clinic for minor medical treatment located in Naknek (15 miles away); major medical and dental facilities are available in Anchorage, AK.

The cost of living in King Salmon is considered high due to its remoteness and the cost of bringing goods in.

Daily commercial flights connect Anchorage with King Salmon, there is no connection to the road system. The area is remote with limited social amenities.

Accessing a map on Google Earth is recommended for a detailed look at the area. Government housing may be available. Katmai is a truly magical place that will give you the "real" Alaska experience.

Katmai has 4.7 million acres of wilderness, 500 miles of coastline, endless opportunities for boating and the largest concentration of Brown Bears in the world. www.nps.gov/katm