Park Ranger (Climbing)

Summary

This position is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, in the Visitor & Resource Protection Division.

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work from approximately mid-March to mid-November, and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year.

For additional information about the position, please contact Mike Lukens at mike_lukens@nps.gov.

Duties

As a Park Ranger (Climbing), you will carry out the duties and responsibilities including various patrols of climbing areas, PSAR messaging on trails, leading and directing a volunteer staff in the winter as well as climbing stewards and interns in the summer. The position primarily is the lead for all-risk and hazardous search and rescue (SAR), emergency medical services (EMS), aviation and preventative search and rescue (PSAR) events within Rocky Mountain National Park.You will conduct backcountry and climbing patrols to evaluate trail and climbing route conditions, educate visitors on proper backcountry uses and wilderness ethics, conduct compliance checks on backcountry permits, and assists with upkeep of backcountry cabins and shelters. Maintains technical rope rescue techniques and other skills that support effective search and rescue operations. Assists or provides assistance to aide emergency response when requested.You will aid staff ensuring they respond, advise, teach, and motivate visitors to comply with rules and ethics that are in place to minimize negative impacts on the mountain environment. You will be responsible for sharing information with the public to promote climber/backcountry user safety and to accomplish preventative search and rescue objectives as an active member of the park's preventative search and rescue (PSAR) program.You will help in the development and coordination of messaging in park publications including the webpages pertaining to climbing stewardship on the Rocky website. Responsible for ensuring staff appropriately conveys information regarding wilderness travel and safety, Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, detailed knowledge of trails/climbing routes/camping-bivy areas, severe weather potentials, route finding, and wilderness regulations.You will work with the direct supervisor in creating and executing search and rescue and EMS trainings throughout the year to maintain compliance and certifications for all emergency response staff members. Assists in the development of training techniques related to helicopters and helicopter use during search and rescue. Ensures training and qualification of helicopter personnel is executed safely and efficiently.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

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 will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.

Physical Demands: The work regularly includes long periods of standing and hiking, in most cases over rough, rocky surfaces. Strenuous exertion is frequently required in the firefighting, search and rescue operations, EMS, and similar activities. Lifting and carrying equipment over 50 pounds, such as technical SAR equipment, is required. Individual patrols remote backcountry areas by foot and ski. Individual must be capable of traveling up to 20 miles per day in rough mountainous terrains at altitudes between 7,000 and 14,259 feet above sea level. Skills and ability in working and surviving in a remote mountain backcountry/wilderness area under extreme environmental conditions throughout all seasons are required. In addition to resource protection and education duties accomplished in this work environment, a broad range of additional duties and responsibilities include mountain search and rescue, technical rock and ice climbing, mountaineering (travel on snow and steep off-trail terrain), resource and facility project work, and general visitor services.

Working Conditions: Much of the work is performed outdoors in all kinds of weather and in a setting in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness, e.g. temperatures ranging from 90 degrees to -40, confined spaces, adverse weather conditions, exposure to loud artificial noise impacts such as helicopters and engines; mitigated through protective equipment, and high altitudes. The work may be performed at various hours of the day and night and for prolonged periods during emergency situations. The individual is frequently exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations in emergency types of situations which require a range of safety and other precautions.

Government housing may be available on a temporary or permanent basis. Housing assignments are made through a bid process.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship required.Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement who have had a break in service of less than one year, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments. Time-in-grade does not apply to new excepted service appointments. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.You will be required to possess a current National Registry Emergency Medical Technician or higher certification.Applicants 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.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-05/01/2024-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 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized 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.

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 FACTOR: This position performs alpine climbing patrols, search and rescue operations, and emergency response. Both of the selective factors must be met. Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.

Certification at the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher, andLead traditional climbs of Grade IV, 5.10, A2, and travel safely over steep snow and ice and lead climb WI-3.

• AND -

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following by close of the announcement

EXPERIENCE: At least 1 full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: performing backcountry and/or alpine climbing patrols; performing technical rope rescues in an alpine environment, or performing search and rescue operations in an wilderness or alpine environment, and monitoring backcountry/wilderness use by evaluating and mitigation of potential resource damage, law enforcement/investigative, archeological/historical preservation, or forestry/fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area. Regularly shares information with the public to promote climber/backcountry user safety and to accomplish preventative search and rescue objectives. Serves as a member in all-risk operations; and perform emergency medical treatment at the Emergency Medical Technician - Basic, or higher, level of training and responsibility. Experience equivalent to the GS-5 may be professional work at the developmental or trainee level. Lower graded technician/assistant work alone is not qualifying for this series. You must provide hours/week and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume. -OR-EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 1 full year of graduate level education that is directly related to the work of the position such as natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, public administration, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. One year of graduate education is typically 18 semester (27 quarter) hours. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR-Successful completion of a combination of education and experience. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. For example, you have 6 months specialized experience at the GS-05 level (50%) and 9 semester (14 quarter) hours of graduate level education (50%) You must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR-Meet the one of the three criteria for Superior Academic Achievement. (1) Be in the upper third of graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; (2) Have a GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in my major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR (3) Be a member in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. You must provide documentation that supports how you meet this qualification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following by close of the announcement

EXPERIENCE: At least 1 full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: Performs climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry patrols in technical and non-technical, alpine terrain; Regularly shares information with the public to promote climber/backcountry user safety and to accomplish preventative search and rescue objectives; Serves as field work lead for seasonal climbing staff by providing area and program orientation, promoting wilderness/back country ethics, directing patrol and work assignments, evaluating job-related skills, and providing training; Serves as a member and field leader in all-risk operations; and perform emergency medical treatment at the Emergency Medical Technician - Basic, or higher, level of training and responsibility. Experience equivalent to the GS-7 may be professional work at the developmental or trainee level. Lower graded technician/assistant work alone is not qualifying for this series. You must provide hours/week and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume. -OR-EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 2 full years of graduate level education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree with major study in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, public administration, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resource. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. One year of graduate education is typically 18 semester (27 quarter) hours. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR-Successful completion of a combination of education and experience. Only graduate education in excess of the first year is creditable for this combination. For example, you have 6 months specialized experience at the GS-07 level (50%) and 27 semester (41 quarter) hours of graduate level education (50%). You must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR-

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.

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 interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

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 display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR 575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, submission of ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).

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Rocky Mountain National Park

1000 Highway 36

Estes Park, CO 80517

US