1. Mandatory Requirements for Park Ranger (Protection):

A. Mandatory Minimum Age Requirement: This position has a mandatory requirement that applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

B. Mandatory Law Enforcement Commission: Applicants must meet one of the following criteria by the entrance-on-duty (EOD) date to be considered for these positions:

• Currently hold, or have previously held (within the past three years), a National Park Service Seasonal (Level II) or full (Level I) law enforcement commission, or equivalent within the past three years.
• Successful completion a Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program during the last three years, but have not yet received a National Park Service Seasonal (Level II) Law Enforcement Commission.
• Will successfully complete a Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program by the entrance on duty date from one of the approved participating academies found at https://www.anpr.org/sletp.php. NOTE: This is not regular police officer training..3

You must certify in your supporting documents the possession of at least one of the above criteria or you will not be considered. In your resume, please include your commission number with expiration date, or your anticipated graduation date from an approved NPS Seasonal Law Enforcement Academy. (MUST SUPPORT IN RESUME OR WILL BE RATED INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION).

C. Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB): Applicants are required to pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) prior to entering law enforcement positions. The duties of this position require arduous physical exertion involving walking, running, lifting, standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. The Physical Efficiency Battery (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 the upper body strength for one repetition; 3) 1.5 mile run – measures cardio/respiratory fitness; 4) sit and reach – measures the flexibility in the lower back, legs and shoulders; and 5) body composition – measures the body fat. Prior to appointment, applicants will be tested in all five components, but only the agility run, bench press and 1.5 mile run will be measured for a passing score in the 25th percentile (age and gender adjusted) of these components. These procedures will ensure that law enforcement officers are capable of performing strenuous physical training and law enforcement duties. Applicants shall be disqualified for appointment if they fail to meet any physical requirements. Probationary or seasonal employment is subject to termination for failure to meet the 25th percentile in each of the identified components being measured.

2. Selective Placement Factors:
Some parks on this announcement require Park Ranger (Protection) to be certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) or First Responders (FR). To be referred for the EMT or FR designation, you must meet the following Selective Placement Factors in addition to the Park Ranger (Protection) qualification standards (Note: you will still be considered for LE Ranger without EMT or FR certifications. These are additional designations applicants can be considered for by parks that require it):

For EMT designation– Applicants must be certified by the National Registry OR by a State EMS organization in order to be referred for the EMT designation. You MUST indicate in your resume the expiration date of your certificate.

For FR designation – Applicants must be certified by the National Registry OR by a State EMS organization in order to be referred for the FR designation. You MUST indicate in your resume the expiration date of your certificate.

3. Specialized Experience and/or Education:
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 qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following: law enforcement or investigative work; park guide or tour leader; resource management related to natural and cultural resources (museum technician, biological science technician, archaeological technician, etc.); forestry and/or fire management (wildland and/or structural); emergency services (emergency medical, search and rescue, emergency dispatch); assist in the management, information dissemination, or the carrying out of programs in a park, conservation reserve or similar area (e.g. backcountry office, volunteer, visitor information desk, campground ranger). -OR- B. A 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of related course work (one year of full time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours).
– OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience performing law enforcement duties for the protection, conservation, use, and management of natural and/or cultural resources in park areas or similar operations, which involved the application of law enforcement authorities and procedures to protect visitors and resources.
-OR- B. You must possess one full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation (one year of full time graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours). –OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education.

Important resume information to receive full consideration:

• You must clearly describe your duties, dates of employment (including month and year), and hours worked per week in the position in order to receive credit. If you do not include this information, you will not receive credit for that experience.
• Credit for experience is given on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio (e.g. working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience). No additional credit is given for overtime.
• In describing the nature of your duties (your experience), please be clear and concise. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.