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Open: April 8, 2026 — Closes: April 13, 2026
Summary
This position serves as the Chief Ranger and is located in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, in the Protection Division.
Major Duties
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Serves as the Park's principle law enforcement officer. Oversees enforcement activities through the Law Enforcement Specialist and the three District Rangers. Oversees Structural Fire Management Program, Safety Committee, Uniform Coordination and Key Security. Reviews and modifies programs related to law enforcement. Monitors division operating budget. Develops long term goals within budget constraints. Develops plans, guidelines, information and policies for the division activities to ensure conformity to National Park Service policies as well as adaptation to Ozark National River circumstances. Plans operational requirements, divisional goals and priorities to be accomplished by subordinates. Physical Demands: Work may require exertion to review and observe accident investigations, conduct search and rescue operations and manage activities. This work regularly includes long periods of standing, hiking and/or climbing, in many cases on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain. Strenuous exertion is frequently required in law enforcement, firefighting, search and rescue, medical and related emergency activities. Lifting or carrying equipment weighing over 50 pounds such as firefighting or search and rescue equipment is required. In some assignments, heavy packs may have to be carried long distances over mountainous, desert, or snow-covered terrain. Duties involve performing physically rigorous assignments, oftentimes in isolated outdoor environments, frequently while exposed to severe weather conditions. Dangerous persons must be physically confronted, subdued, and apprehended many of whom are known to carry weapons. Prisoners must be kept under physical restraint during transport and processing. Criminal investigations often must be carried out without regard to fixed work schedules, days off, or opportunities for proper rest or nutrition. Duties require manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order for incumbent to perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in both eyes, with or without glasses, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrected with glasses, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing without aid, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz levels. Physical fitness requirements must be met prior to and on a continuing basis during employment. There is a high-stress component to much of the incumbent's work assignments. Working Conditions: Typically work is accomplished at the headquarters office, but trips to the districts are required to maintain communication and training with subordinates and to ensure compliance. Trips are made outside of the park to make contacts with government officials and partners. While some work may be performed in an office setting, most of the work is performed outdoors in all kinds of weather and climatic conditions. The work is performed at various hours of the day and night and for prolonged periods during emergency situations. Park Rangers are frequently exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations in law enforcement and emergency types of situations requiring use of a wide range of personal protective gear (some of which may be uncomfortable, hot, or inconvenient to wear), adherence to specific safety procedures, and other precautions. Long periods of surveillance work may be required in cramped, or unpleasant locations and under unpleasant conditions. Shift work is often required. Incumbent is required to operate motor vehicles of various types, may be required to fly in small fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft, and may be required to operate and/or ride in small watercraft. Emergency law enforcement operations will require entry into hazardous environments; exposure to dangerous persons, animals, and substances; and potential exposure to infectious diseases.