Park Ranger (P) - Regional Law Enforcement Specialist
National Park ServiceSummary
You will serve as a Park Ranger (P) - Regional Law Enforcement Specialist Park Ranger (P) - Law Enforcement Specialist in the Intermountain Regional Office. Duty location negotiable - the selectee will work from their current duty station for the duration of this opportunity.
This is a temporary promotion/detail not to exceed 6 months and can be extended up to 1 year.
Pay will vary based on grade level and current duty location. Pay does not change if selected for a detail (current GS-0025-13)
The position is responsible for providing expertise and guidance in the formulation and execution of Service policy, guidelines, philosophy, and standards in law enforcement, security, and visitor and resource protection. The position serves as the staff expert for a variety of programs and activities related to park operations.
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:
- Provide guidance, assistance, support, coordination, and oversight to the parks in the Intermountain Region related to law enforcement with an emphasis on supporting parks on the southern border.
- Develop and review law enforcement planning documents, policies, procedures and effectively communicate/disseminate such information.
- Provide technical, policy, and legal advice and support to parks for the administration of programs related to protection of persons and resources (law enforcement and emergency services).
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with units and programs at multiple levels, from field staff to superintendents, national and regional leadership and program leads, Investigative Services Branch and other federal programs, agencies, and partners.
For additional information about this position, please contact:
Ira Blitzblau, IMR LE & Ranger Activities Branch Chief
Ira_Blitzblau@nps.gov
Conditions of employment
- Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Direct Deposit participation required.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
- Pre-employment and random drug testing is required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
- A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 5 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
- You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
- A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.
- Firearm qualification and certification are required for the role, and ongoing proficiency must be maintained
- You must be at least 21 years old. You must be free of any domestic violence convictions.
- Must maintain a delegation of law enforcement authority.
- Prior to appointment, you 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.
*Additional Requirements located under Qualifications*
Qualifications
Requirements Continued...
- Temporary Promotion - 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). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
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 periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. 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.
Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified.
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years) a valid Type 1 National Park Service Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent, by 10/26/2026. More information can be found in the 'Education' section of this job announcement.
- This is a covered secondary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). In addition to the qualifying experience and/or education described above, applicants for this position must possess experience gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement position or equivalent.
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Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 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 qualifying specialized experience may include the following: (1) leading a law enforcement and resource protection program; (2)evaluating law enforcement program activities based on funding to determine objectives, amount and location of work, as well as type of resources needed for the program; (3) interpreting regulations and policy directives related to law enforcement and natural resource protection; (4) drafting or reviewing mutual aid agreements, cooperative agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
You must include hours per week worked.
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
Law Enforcement Commission: Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years), a FLETC issued Land Management Police Training, full Type I Law Enforcement Commission or equivalent; or be qualified to receive a Type 1 Commission upon appointment.
This position does not allow substituting education for experience.
Additional information
Candidates 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.
Special retirement coverage will not be affected by this detail/temporary promotion. Your position of record determines your retirement coverage.
This is a secondary/administrative law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age (MEA) policy, applicants must have prior service in a primary position and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to a secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage.
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.