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Open: July 17, 2026 — Closes: August 7, 2026
Summary
This is a permanent Park Ranger (PSAR), GS-0025-11 position located at Missouri National Recreational River, duty stationed in Yankton, South Dakota.
Major Duties
At the full performance level (GS-11) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Conduct regularly scheduled Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) patrols of various park resources such as backcountry and/or wilderness areas, park trails, campgrounds, parking lots, shorelines, rivers, docks, roads, etc., in accordance with established procedures and precedents, and using rescue techniques and threat assessments. In the field, provide visitors with information and education to ensure their safety, obtain their cooperation, and facilitate safe visitor use of park resources. Provide administrative, operational, and logistic support to PSAR-related educational activities conducted by the organization in accordance with established practices and precedents. Serve as a member of a Search and Rescue (SAR) Team on events that may require trail response, ground/hasty searches, helicopter evacuations, river rescues, body recoveries, and/or litter carries. Administer first aid and provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients. Respond to and return safely from Emergency Medical Service (EMS) assistance/calls. Physical Demands: The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as climbing, hiking, and lifting heavy objects. Work may be performed on uneven, steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain. EMS and search and rescue involve walking long distances over rough terrain, carrying heavy loads, and using technical rescue equipment. Going without sleep for long periods of time is a common occurrence. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting, classroom, in the field, on trails, and in remote backcountry or wilderness settings. Search and Rescue and EMS work involves frequent exposure to potentially dangerous situations and/or hazardous environments to include hazardous flight landings and takeoffs, extreme outdoor weather conditions, and/or exposure to communicable diseases. Various levels of personal protective clothing are required to perform functions safely.
