Summary
This position is located within a National Forest. The incumbent is responsible for providing technical support to the unit recreation and snow ranger programs. As a Snow Ranger duties are to monitor winter recreation activities from December through April on National Forest Lands.
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Duties
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- The incumbent is responsible for providing technical support to the unit recreation and snow ranger programs. As a Snow Ranger duties are to monitor winter recreation activities from December through April on National Forest Lands.
- Performs winter patrols of wilderness boundaries and crucial winter wildlife closures by snowmobile, skis, ATV, or snow shoes to ensure compliance with winter recreation regulations.
- Plans, schedules, and accomplishes the day-to-day operations and maintenance tasks for recreation activities in general forest areas, trails, and in designated wilderness according to approved plans.
- Provides daily user counts and maintains data base of information to be included in yearend reports. Monitors use and user impacts, and reports findings.
- Monitors the condition and use of trails and oversees the construction and maintenance of winter trails.
- May perform law enforcement/Forest Protection Officer responsibilities using all terrain vehicles (ATV's), and snowmobiles to patrol unit roads and trails. Provides and supports Forest Law Enforcement efforts in enforcing rules and regulations.
- Issues violations for misdemeanor or infraction of code of federal regulations. Documents, reports, and files incident reports.
- Collects, compiles, and summarizes avalanche data and observations. Provides reports to the Avalanche Center. Provides assistance in presenting the education program for employees and the public about avalanches.
- As requested, provides support to search and rescue operations. Search and rescue operations may be for incidents such as avalanches, lost public, snowmobile accidents/fatalities, occurring on National Forest Lands.
- Incumbent may be required to administer first aid or CPR.
- Provides recreation opportunity, resource management practice, and current condition information to Forest visitors. Explains Forest Service rules and regulations.
- Provides specific information and winter education to the public for winter time activities on the unit.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.gov.
- Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
- Some positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
- First Aid and CPR certification is required to perform duties.
- A valid driver's license is required to drive motor vehicles.
- Use of snowshoes, skis, ATV's, and snowmobiles is required, with the ability to safely move and reposition snowmobiles in deep snow, load/unload snowmobiles from trailers, etc.
- Incumbent must meet the Minimum Level I American Avalanche Association or equivalent certification.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
GS-05: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level;
OR a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable);
OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience include: Working as a Forest Protection Officer (FPO) or similar position writing incident reports or violation notices as needed; providing technical support to the recreation program on the unit performing winter patrols of wilderness boundaries to assure compliance with winter recreation regulations and winter travel plans; providing information on resource management practices and recreation regulations, opportunities, and restrictions; ensuring recreation areas and trails were maintained in accordance with standards; and performing crew-based forestry related support work, such as for recreation or trail maintenance projects.
Selective Placement Factors
- Incumbent must meet the Minimum Level I American Avalanche Association or equivalent certification.
- First Aid and CPR certification is required to perform duties.
- A valid driver's license is required to drive motor vehicles.
- Use of snowshoes, skis, ATV's, and snowmobiles is required, with the ability to safely move and reposition snowmobiles in deep snow, load/unload snowmobiles from trailers, etc.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional information
PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2027 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between October 18, 2026 to December 27, 2026.
By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates.
This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.
The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.
If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay.
This position is not eligible for telework.
Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location.
Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.
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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.
