Seasonal Park Ranger - PSAR

Summary

These temporary/1039 positions are located in Shenandoah National Park, in the Ranger Activities Division. These positions serve 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 and providing Emergency Medical Services (EMT) as needed.

• 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 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.

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Drug testing and random testing as required.
• Valid driver's license required; must be able to operate a four‑wheel drive vehicle.
• Uniform required; a uniform allowance will be provided.
• Medical certification: current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher certification.
• At least 18 years old (or at least 16 years old with a high‑school diploma or equivalent, a formal vocational training program, or enrollment in secondary school).

For GS‑05 grade level:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS‑04 grade level in the Federal service (public or private sectors); or successful completion of a four‑year bachelor’s degree with major study in a related field (e.g., natural resource management, earth sciences, park and recreation management); or a combination of education and specialized experience totaling 100 percent.

For GS‑07 grade level:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS‑05 grade level in the Federal service (public or private sectors); or successful completion of at least one full year (18 semester hours) of graduate study in a related field; or a combination of education and specialized experience totaling 100 percent.

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