Park Ranger (Seasonal)
Job Location:
Atlanta, GA - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Park Rangers (General) protect and preserve park resources while ensuring visitor safety assisting the public and enforcing park regulations.
The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Seasonal Staffing Office-Southeast Region is March-November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions project needs or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - May 2027.
Open to the first 1000 applicants.
Some positions filled with this announcement may be covered by a union.
Some of the Park Ranger (General) Standard Duties include but are not limited to:
- Protection of park resources and visitors through patrols education and compliance checks providing information regarding regulations and explaining the importance of resource preservation and protection.
- Patrols are conducted by both motorized and non-motorized watercraft and on foot in both front country and remote areas of the park.
- May be providing backcountry orientation emergency medical services search and rescue environmental protection and resource management data collection.
- May be performing development and delivery of Interpretive talks and tours.
- Actively promote the safety of park visitors and stewardship of park resources in all interactions and potentially serve as the initial contact for accident reporting and emergency assistance.
- Teaches others - provides on-the-job training mentoring and assistance to team members by providing guidance and feedback and direction to accomplish projects and/or daily operations.
- 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.
- Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
- Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
- You may 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.
- You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid drivers license will be required in such cases.
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
- 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.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/27/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience your 2 page 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 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 the event you submit more than one resume only the latest submission will be reviewed.
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 perform the duties of this position. Experience may have been in technical administrative or scientific work fish and wildlife management recreation management law enforcement or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:
- park guide or tour leader;
- environmental educator or teacher;
- law enforcement or investigative work;
- archaeological or historical preservation research 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 other similar work.
B. A 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelors degree with 24 semester hours of related coursework (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 that together equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.
Note: This position includes money handling preference for optional consideration. Money handling requires a higher background check.
Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.
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.
The employees of the National Park Service care for special places that are the heritage of all Americans. Since its inception in 1916 the National Park Service has been dedicated to the preservation and management of this countrys outstanding natural historical and recreational resources. Park ranger - interpreters connect people to parks. They play a key role in ensuring that visitors have a meaningful satisfying and safe park experience help visitors decide how to spend their time in the park and inform them about the wonders that await their discovery. Park ranger - interpreters are specially trained to engage the public so that each park visitor can find a personal connection with the meanings and values found in the places and stories of that park. They help visitors explore the many dimensions of parks by introducing them to a variety of perspectives. By providing the opportunity for visitors to care about the places they visit they promote stewardship and the opportunity for those visitors to care for park resources. National parks are among the most remarkable places in America for recreation learning and inspiration. The work done by park ranger-interpreters through effective interpretive and educational programs encourages the development of a personal stewardship ethic and broadens public support for preserving and protecting park resources so that they may be enjoyed by present and future generations.
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.
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 316.402b7) 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.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work involves extensive periods of standing and walking and in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines carrying backpacks tools rescue equipment etc.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed in settings 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).
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 should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
