Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection)
What you'd do
These supervisory positions are located in Grand Canyon National Park, in the Visitor and Resource Protection Division. The North Rim position will be on the South Rim at first due to Dragon Bravo fire until the incumbent can move back up and will be expected to travel quite a bit. Occupancy of government quarters is required. Incentives up to 15% may be authorized.
Major duties
The incumbent has the full range of responsibilities for providing leadership, management and supervision for one of the most complex and very active, field-based protection ranger operations anywhere within the NPS system. Major Duties: Conduct and supervise the detection of criminal activity, investigation of criminal violations, and custodial arrests. Prepare and execute warrants, interview witnesses, and detain suspects. Ensure the completion of comprehensive written reports. Conduct and/or supervise gathering of law enforcement, security, and intelligence information relating to the park, its facilities, events, mission & visitors. Identify operational requirements and make recommendations to your supervisor regarding programming, budgeting, training, administration, and evaluation of operations. Supervise and lead complex law enforcement, all hazard, emergency medical, and search and rescue operations as well as provide emergency medical services to park visitors and residents. North Rim Area Information: The North Rim District is situated on the rim of the Grand Canyon amidst the vast public lands of the Arizona Strip. It is about 20 miles from the South Rim by a strenuous hike through the Grand Canyon or a 215 mile drive which takes approximately 4 hours. The nearest community with full range of services is located in Kanab, UT approximately 80 miles from the North Rim. The elevation on the North Rim is about 8,200 feet and consequently the climate in the summer is mild with highs in the 80's and lows in the 50's. Between May 15 and October 15 the North Rim receives approximately 500,000 visitors. The North Rim has a robust concession operation which features a historic full service lodge with accommodations serving around 500 visitors, 230 concession employees, a general store, post office, mule ride concession, gas station, campground, etc. Beyond the North Rim Village the district has about 20 miles of paved scenic roads, 80 miles of high clearance 4 wheel drive roads, and hundreds of miles of trails/routes including immediate access to the North Kaibab Trail/cross-canyon corridor. Recreational opportunities include hiking, running, climbing, canyoneering, rafting, road/mountain biking, skiing, hunting, fishing and numerous other options in nearby communities such as St. George, Utah and Page, Arizona. Zion National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are all within a half day drive. Employees are assigned quarters in a cabin, apartment, or house.
What you need to qualify
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/19/2026-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: Type I Commission: Must currently possess or be able to obtain a valid Type I National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent within the past three years, by 08/19/2026 (To be considered for this position, you must provide a copy of your commission, OR indicate your commission number and date, location and date of your last 40-hour refresher training, and the date of your last established proficiency in the use of firearms in your resume). More information can be found in the 'Education' section of this job announcement. Primary law enforcement experience: 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. NREMT- Basic certification: Must currently possess and be able to maintain a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician- Basic certification or higher by the close of the announcement on 08/19/2026. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age - AND - To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, 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-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. Examples of specialized experience could include: law enforcement or investigative work; investigating, apprehending, detaining or prosecuting individuals suspected of or convicted of crimes against the United States; protecting officials against threats to personal safety; 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 week worked. Additional Requirements: 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. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. Selectees may be expected to travel in (not pilot) a small single-engine aircraft. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Before you apply
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