Park Service Ranger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summary
You will serve as a Park Ranger (Special Park Uses). This position leads the Special Park Uses program that includes Incidental Business Permits, commercial filming and large and recurring special events within the park. This includes supervising two staff in the program; and working with the general public, local, state, and Federal governments; local and nationwide businesses; nonprofit organizations; special interest groups; and other units of the National Park Service.
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Duties
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The Park Ranger (Special Park Uses) leads and manages the park's Special Park Uses program by:

• Planning workflow, coordinating priorities, and overseeing daily permitting and leasing operations to ensure actions are accurate, timely, and aligned with park goals.
• Evaluates proposed activities for feasibility, regulatory consistency, and potential impacts;
• Applies technical information to identify risks and develop mitigation strategies; and monitors activities to ensure operational and policy compliance.
• Determines, documents, and tracks costs and fees to support responsible financial management; uses digital tools and software systems to issue permits, maintain records, and produce reports; and
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with permittees, lessees, partners, and internal divisions, acting as a liaison to resolve operational issues and ensure successful public-use activities.

Requirements
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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.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/10/2026-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.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level:
Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained either in the public or private sectors). For this position specialized experience is defined as: planning, coordinating, or supporting public use activities such as special events, community programs, recreational events, educational programs, public gatherings, tours, or group activities; conducting research, site assessments, or field reviews to support management of natural, cultural, historical, or recreational resources, and using this information to help evaluate proposed activities or visitor use; providing visitor services and assisting the public in understanding park purposes and appropriate use; or using administrative or digital tools to track program actions, maintain records, prepare correspondence, or organize program workflows.
OR
Education: 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the occupation. You must include transcripts.
OR
Combination of education and experience as listed above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 36 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.
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
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
Additional information
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.
Physical Demands: Activities normally are those associated with a busy office environment. Incumbent must possess the physical ability to walk or stand outdoors for prolonged periods of time. May visit sites of special use activities and is expected to quarterly conduct an on-site tour of one area of the park by walking trails and observing park facilities. May occasionally be expected to work long hours because of demands of the position.
Work Environment: Works indoors and outdoors in all types of terrain and weather. May be subject to outdoor conditional that include bad weather, inserts, and other discomforts and in some cases, hazards of rough terrain.
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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.
Benefits
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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.
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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.