Perhaps the most confusing question ANPR is often asked involves explaining what NPS employees do. It's fairly standard that most people approach the subject thinking that the National Park Service is only law enforcement and that a criminal justice degree would be a requirement, however this is not the case.
The employment divisions of the National Park Service include:
With so many different divisions, law enforcement is by no means the only method for gaining employment as a Park Ranger. That being said, if you are interested in going into law enforcement see our Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program Page for more information specific to that route.
Something that many people find particularly engaging about an NPS career is experiencing just how much the divisions rely on each other, and work closely together to protect our parks and park visitors. Interpretation and Fees Rangers serving the front-line public often assist with the medical incidents, searches and rescues. Resource and Maintenance Rangers have vast knowledge of the roads, trail systems, and topography of their sites which can be invaluable when a wildfire breaks out in a park. No two days are ever quite the same. In addition, the staffing needs of each site differ wildly and requirements change accordingly. Given the diversity of the over 400 sites in the National Park Service system, Rangers are responsible for monitoring wildlife populations, patrolling lakes and rivers, explaining the natural, cultural and historic significance of NPS sites in our nation's history, constructing and maintaining trails and park buildings, all while ensuring the protection and preservation of the sites themselves.
Having an understanding of who Park Rangers are, how the National Park Service fits into the crowded land management hierarchy, and what sorts of positions exist within the National Park Service, we hope you're still asking yourself:
How do I apply for a National Park Service job?
Similar to many positions in the federal government, employment opportunities within the National Park Service will be posted on the government's centralized jobs directory, USAJOBS.gov. In addition, USAJOBS handles the full job application process, resume building, communication about application status and more.
If you intend to work for the federal government, having a USAJOBS account is an absolute must.
Once you have your account created, you'll have the ability to search for positions directly by querying "National Park Service". This will show all positions currently open. There are a number of additional ways that you can refine your search by limiting the location, but the main filters will be:
Continue reading below for more information on what these terms mean and how they apply to careers in the National Park Service.
For questions specific to applying on USAJobs, ANPR has put together a video presentation with an NPS hiring official to assist those new to this process.
Learn About the Job Application Process
One of the biggest questions for many people beginning careers in the National Park Service is:
Are you seasonal or permanent?
Given the higher uneven nature of visitation to National Park Service sites, much of the work is done by seasonal employees. The term seasonal refers to a position that last at most 1039 hours which would typically be 6 months or less. The majority of NPS seasonal positions occur in the summer when visitation skyrockets, however many parks have busy fall (typically in the east for the fall colors) and winter/spring seasons (typically in the south where summer temperatures limit visitation).
By successfully completing a season with a satisfactory evaluation, seasonal employees may be offered the ability to be rehired without having to go through the full hiring process again next season. Seasonal positions are found in most divisions, though rarely in Administration or Human Resources.
As it can often be difficult to acquire short term housing during the busiest months of the year near National Park Service sites, many seasonal positions, but not all, may have employee housing available. In terms of benefits you have access to health insurance options but seasonal positions do not convey retirement benefits.
For jobs that require more than the maximum 1039 hours of a seasonal position, but are not needed permanently, a site may offer term positions. They are often found in the maintenance division for multi-year construction projects. The benefits of these positions vary by the individual posting so it's important to read the full description on USAJOBS for questions regarding health and retirement benefits.
The majority of the remaining positions are permanent. As the name implies, these are positions that necessitate continuous staffing and are available in all divisions. Permanent positions will offer health and retirement benefits.
One of the most important parts about employment with the National Park Service is determining what job series and grade level you qualify for given your past experience.
Positions in these series require either a high school diploma or less than a year of outside experience.
If you've worked a year at a GS-4 level you can then qualify for a GS-5. Additionally, you may qualify directly for a GS-5 with a college degree. GS-6 positions are exceedingly rare in the NPS and a year of experience at the GS-5 level will allow you to qualify for a GS-7 level.
Having completed a year of employment at the GS-7 level you would then qualify for a GS-9. Alternatively, you may also qualify by obtaining a master's degree. Similarly qualification for a GS-11 position occurs after a year of employment at the GS-9 level or by obtaining a doctorate.
Additional levels above the GS-11 require an additional year of service at each series level.
For more information on job series and grade requirements visit USAJOBS's Help Center.
There are many opportunities for youth and young adults 15-30 years old and veterans up to age 35 to work with the National Park Service. Many of these developmental opportunities and jobs are filled at the park level — so contact the park that interests you—but others opportunities are advertised and recruited nationally by the National Park Service or in partnership with youth and veteran serving organizations.
American Conservation Experience: http://www.usaconservation.org/
Student Conservation Association: https://www.thesca.org/
The NPS New Employee Handbook contains background information on the National Park Service, information on ethics and personal conduct, career development, benefit information, and more.