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Open: August 3, 2026 — Closes: August 17, 2026
Summary
The primary purpose of this uniformed position is to perform a variety of park ranger duties associated with preventing search and rescue incidents from occurring in park units managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Open to the first 100 applicants or until 08/17/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.
Major Duties
The major duties of the Park Ranger (PSAR) 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, concessions, etc. in accordance with well-established procedures and precedents. While on patrol, 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 well-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. Under medical oversight, provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients. Respond to and return safely from Emergency Medical Service (EMS) assistance/calls. The employees of the National Park Service care for special places that are the heritage of all Americans. Since its inception in 1916, the National Park Service has been dedicated to the preservation and management of this country's outstanding natural, historical, and recreational resources. Park ranger - interpreters connect people to parks. They play a key role in ensuring that visitors have a meaningful, satisfying, and safe park experience, help visitors decide how to spend their time in the park, and inform them about the wonders that await their discovery. Park ranger - interpreters are specially trained to engage the public so that each park visitor can find a personal connection with the meanings and values found in the places and stories of that park. They help visitors explore the many dimensions of parks by introducing them to a variety of perspectives. By providing the opportunity for visitors to care about the places they visit, they promote stewardship and the opportunity for those visitors to care for park resources. National parks are among the most remarkable places in America for recreation, learning, and inspiration. The work done by park ranger-interpreters through effective interpretive and educational programs encourages the development of a personal stewardship ethic and broadens public support for preserving and protecting park resources, so that they may be enjoyed by present and future generations.
