Summary
Open to the first 350 applicants or until 10/26/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Alaska Regional Office is April to May but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2027.Major Duties
The parks and duty stations hiring for these positions are below, as is each park's anticipated seasonal period. The typical seasonal period may vary during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Denali National Park and Preserve (Denali Park, Kantishna and Toklat, AK. Applicants selected for Kantishna will be duty stationed at Wonder Lake, AK): April - September Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (Bartlett Cove and Yakutat, AK. Applicants selected for Yakutat will be duty stationed at Dry Bay, AK): April - October Katmai National Park and Preserve (King Salmon, AK): May - September Kenai Fjords National Park (Seward, AK): April - September Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (Skagway, AK): May - September Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Port Alsworth, AK. Applicants selected for Port Alsworth may be duty stationed at Twin Lakes, Chinitna Bay and/or Silver Salmon Creek, AK.): April - September Sitka National Historical Park (Sitka, AK): April - October Selectees may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries. Government housing may be available at Denali Park, Seward, Skagway, and Sitka. Government housing is available at Kantishna (Wonder Lake), Toklat, Bartlett Cove, Yakutat (Dry Bay), King Salmon, and Port Alsworth (Twin Lakes, Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek). Please visit find a park for additional park information. You must apply to each park, duty station, and grade you are interested in working at. This position includes protection of park resources and visitors through patrols, education, and compliance checks. The individuals selected will provide information regarding regulations and explain the importance of resource preservation and protection. The individuals will contact and provide visitors information regarding Leave No Trace principles and specific hazards found throughout the park. Patrols are conducted by both motorized and non-motorized watercraft and on foot in both front country and remote areas of the park. Other duties consist of providing backcountry orientation, emergency medical services, search and rescue, environmental protection, and resource management data collection. Selectees may also perform development and delivery of Interpretive talks and tours. May require hikes up to 8 miles a day over rough, uneven terrain. Additional duties for the GS-07 position: Teaches others - provides on-the-job training, mentoring and assistance to team members by providing guidance, feedback, and direction to accomplish projects and/or daily operations. All positions are subject to drug testing. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. These positions are subject to random testing for illegal drug use. All positions except those at Bartlett Cove and Yakutat (Dry Bay) will be required to carry firearms in the backcountry or other locations for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals. All positions except those at Denali Park, Kantishna (Wonder Lake), Toklat, Skagway, and Sitka will be required to operate a small watercraft less than 26 feet in length. Operation includes transport of personnel (including visitors), tools, and materials/supplies to job/work sites. Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, etc. The work, on a regular and recurring basis, requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as climbing, hiking and lifting heavy objects. Work may be performed on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain. Incumbents must have the ability to routinely carry backpacks of up to 50 pounds in steep terrain and in adverse weather conditions. Work Environment: The work is performed in a setting in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness, e.g., high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions. The work environment regularly involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress. In addition, work may be performed in areas of extremely rough terrain with wide annual variations in climatic conditions. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selected employees.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 the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. 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.Requirements
U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Except for some positions at Bartlett Cove and all positions at Seward and Sitka, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certification is required before entrance on duty. Some positions at Bartlett Cove and all positions at Seward require you to obtain/maintain First Aid and CPR after entrance on duty. Positions at Kantisha (Wonder Lake) and Toklat require occupancy in government quarters. Positions at Skagway will be required to obtain/maintain a valid US Passport or US Passport Card. 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 on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. All positions except those at King Salmon will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License, Driving Record, and within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities, 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 travel overnight away from home up to 20 nights per month. You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You 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.Evaluations
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures.These procedures place candidates with veterans' preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10-percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position. Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job. You will be evaluated on the following competencies: Seach and Rescue (SAR) Speaking Teaches Others (GS-07 Only) Technical Competence Technology Application Wilderness Skills and Knowledge Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified. To meet the definition of well-qualified, you must (1) score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire; (2) meet the minimum qualification requirements (education, experience or a combination therein), including any selective placement factors; and (3) be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry with reasonable accommodation, when applicable. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 10/26/2026- unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. **Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.** The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13066677 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.What to Expect Next
Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries. Many similar positions are advertised by various offices within the DOI. You MUST apply to each announcement for consideration. Officials may hire at any grade level, location or work schedule. All positions may or may not be filled. Dates and length of employment will vary between DOI sites depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation. Positions are TEMPORARY positions and have no promotion potential. Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received, you will receive an email acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete. Applicants will get a response from this announcement by approximately early January 2027. You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.Required Documents
ALL required documentation must be submitted to receive full consideration for eligibilities and veterans' preference selected. The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/26/2026: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessments. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as: Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF-15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability. College transcripts if qualifying based on education. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position. Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.Other Information
Park Rangers protect and preserve park resources while ensuring visitor safety, assisting the public, and enforcing park regulations. 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 salary range on this vacancy does not grant an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality 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 1039 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 combined total of 1039 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1039 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 1039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1039 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. *This position may be filled under a temporary seasonal appointment not-to-exceed 1560 hours rather than 1039 hours depending on the park and program* Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Statement: The salary annotated on this announcement includes the locality but does not include the additional cost-of-living allowance. The following areas on this announcement have additional cost of living (COLA) pay: Alaska - 3.0% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). Please visit OPM's Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances site to review COLA pay for the areas listed on this announcement.
