Summary This position serves as a Park Ranger in Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR). The primary purpose of this uniformed position is to perform a variety of park ranger duties associated with preventing search and rescue incidents from occurring in park units managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Positions are TEMPORARY seasonal not-to-exceed 1039 work hours in a service year. Responsibilities Conduct regularly scheduled and special purpose PSAR patrols of various park resources such as backcountry and/or wilderness areas, park trails, campgrounds, parking lots, shorelines, rivers, docks, roads, concessions, etc. Independently determine new patrol routes for self and/or others and prepare for patrol(s), accounting for the specific needs, topography, and requirements of each patrol. Serve as a trip leader when accompanied by other staff, cooperators, groups, and/or stakeholders. While on patrol, provide visitors with information and education to ensure their safety, obtain their cooperation, and facilitate safe visitor use of park resources. Identify and report visitor/resource problems and/or violations of regulations concerning the use of protected or public land areas. Provide administrative, operational, and logistic support to PSAR-related educational activities conducted by the organization. Develop and present a substantial variety of formal and informal PSAR-related educational programs and/or media using prescribed outlines, guidelines, and established educational practices, techniques, and tools delivered in-person and through educational media and technology. Conduct straightforward research on a variety of PSAR-related topics (e.g., frostbite, swift-water rescue, hiking safety, heat illness, accident prevention, sanitation) and synthesize the knowledge gained from research to develop and deliver educational PSAR experiences that are clearly consistent with the strategic goals and objectives of PSAR. Serve as a member of a Search and Rescue (SAR) Team on events that may require trail response, ground/hasty searches, helicopter evacuations, river rescues, body recoveries, and/or litter carries. Participate in operational assessments and help prepare contingencies for future search and rescue incidents. Participate in post operational analysis and After-Action Reviews to improve park operations and prevent SAR events from occurring. 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 this announcement. The first cut-off date for referral is 11:59 pm (EST), December 23, 2024. These positions will be filled at either the GS-05 grade level or the GS-07 grade level. GS-05 salary is $21.63 per hour. It is anticipated that up to 9 positions may be filled. GS-07 salary is $26.80 per hour. It is anticipated that up to 3 positions may be filled. Shenandoah National Park preserves and protects more than 300 square miles of nationally significant natural and cultural resources, scenic beauty, and congressionally designated wilderness within Virginia's northern Blue Ridge Mountains; and provides a broad range of opportunities for public enjoyment, recreation, inspiration, and stewardship. Within just 90 miles of Washington D.C. the Park provides visitors the ability to explore mountain peaks, hidden hollows, cascading streams, accessible wilderness, and stunning natural beauty. Approximately 40% of the Park is designated wilderness with over 500 miles of hiking trails and the iconic Skyline Drive, SHEN was established as an eastern Park that provided a "western Park experience". Due to the Park's easy accessibility to D.C and other highly populated areas along the east coast, visitation exceeds 1.4 million visitors annually which results in significant resource protection and visitor management issues and incidents. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Direct Deposit Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. 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. Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work overtime. Medical Certification: You will be required to possess a current Emergency Medical Technician certification. Minimum Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/27/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position performs Patrol and Search and Rescue. Selectees are required to pass the Physical Efficiency Battery and must possess Emergency Medical Technician certification by EOD. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of 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-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: activities such as: Park Ranger, Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator; backcountry ranger, law enforcement or investigative 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 similar work. . You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of 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-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: Specialized experience Includes activities such as: Park Ranger, Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator; backcountry ranger, law enforcement or investigative 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 similar work. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least. 1 full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation or superior academic achievement You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. 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. Education To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Additional Information 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. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS). If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Physical Demands: This position includes a mixture of duties and responsibilities that can be both sedentary as well as extremely physically demanding. Positions assigned responsibility for patrols, all-hazard incident response, search and rescue, watercraft operation, etc. may require extended periods of standing, walking, hiking, riding, rowing, and carrying of heavy items weighing more than 50 pounds over long distances, to include safety and rescue supplies for injured/ill park visitors. Employees who participate in all-hazard incident operations in certain roles may be required to meet fitness requirements on a continuing basis. Working Conditions: The work can include moderate risks or discomforts that require safety precautions (e.g., exposure to extreme temperatures, climates, rough terrain, wild animals, pests, and/or insects). The incumbent may be required to use protective clothing or gear, such as masks, boots, gloves, etc. Some employees may exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations which require a range of safety and other precautions.