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Search And Rescue Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Canyon Maintenance (35523)

Palm Springs, CA · On-site

$15.25 - $20/hr

Abide and enforce regulations/ordinances in the Canyons as set forth by the Tribal Council. * Assist in search & rescue operations as may be necessary. * Assist local police, fire department, search ...

... search, salvage, repair, and demolition to support carrier and expeditionary strike groups, mine ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...

... search, salvage, repair, and demolition to support carrier and expeditionary strike groups, mine ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...

... search, salvage, repair, and demolition to support carrier and expeditionary strike groups, mine ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...

... search, salvage, repair, and demolition to support carrier and expeditionary strike groups, mine ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...

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Search And Rescue information

What is the difference between Search And Rescue vs Emergency Medical Technician?

AspectSearch And RescueEmergency Medical Technician
Required CertificationsRescue certifications, CPR, first aid, specialized rescue trainingEMT certification, CPR, first aid
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, rugged terrains, disaster sites, wilderness areasAmbulances, hospitals, emergency scenes
Employer & IndustryRescue agencies, fire departments, military, NGOsHospitals, ambulance services, emergency response teams

Search And Rescue professionals focus on locating and assisting individuals in wilderness, disaster, or remote environments, often requiring specialized rescue skills. Emergency Medical Technicians provide immediate medical care in emergency settings, primarily within urban or hospital environments. While both roles require CPR and first aid certifications, Search And Rescue emphasizes rescue operations, whereas EMTs concentrate on medical treatment. Understanding these differences helps individuals choose the right career path based on their skills and interests.

How much do search and rescue people make?

Search and rescue personnel typically earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the organization. Salaries can vary based on whether they are volunteers or paid professionals, with paid rescuers often working in emergency services or government agencies and requiring relevant certifications and training.

How do you become search and rescue?

To become a search and rescue (SAR) team member, individuals typically need to complete specialized training such as wilderness or urban rescue courses, obtain certifications like First Aid and CPR, and gain experience in emergency response. Many SAR personnel also have backgrounds in related fields such as firefighting, law enforcement, or outdoor survival, and must be physically fit to handle demanding environments.

What qualifications do you need to do search and rescue?

Search and rescue personnel typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, and specialized training in rescue techniques, first aid, and navigation. Certifications such as CPR, First Aid, and Wilderness Survival are often required, along with relevant experience in outdoor or emergency response environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Search and Rescue professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Search and Rescue professional, you need strong physical fitness, navigation and survival skills, and relevant field certifications such as EMT or wilderness first aid. Familiarity with GPS systems, two-way radios, mapping software, and rescue equipment is typically required. Exceptional teamwork, quick decision-making, and resilience under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure effective and safe operations during emergencies, maximizing successful outcomes in challenging and unpredictable environments.

What are Search and Rescue (SAR) teams?

Search and Rescue (SAR) teams are specialized groups trained to locate, assist, and recover individuals who are lost, injured, or in imminent danger, often in remote or hazardous environments. They operate on land, at sea, or in urban settings, and may respond to incidents like natural disasters, missing persons cases, or accidents. SAR teams are typically comprised of professionals and volunteers with expertise in navigation, first aid, survival, and rescue techniques. Their mission is to provide rapid response and life-saving support until further help arrives.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

In search and rescue, most roles do not pay $4,000 a week without specialized training or experience. However, high-paying emergency response roles such as private security contractors or specialized tactical rescue positions can reach that level, often requiring certifications, physical fitness, and experience rather than formal degrees.

What are the typical work environments and team dynamics in a Search and Rescue role?

Search and Rescue professionals often work in diverse and challenging environments, including wilderness areas, mountainous terrain, urban disaster zones, and at sea. The role requires close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams that may include emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, firefighters, and volunteers. Team members rely on clear communication, rapid decision-making, and strong trust in one another to ensure safety and mission success. Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as the work schedule can include irregular hours and rapid deployment in response to emergencies.
What are the most commonly searched types of Search And Rescue jobs in California? The most popular types of Search And Rescue jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Search And Rescue jobs in California? For Search And Rescue jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Search And Rescue jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Search And Rescue jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Search And Rescue jobs? Cities in California with the most Search And Rescue job openings:
Infographic showing various Search And Rescue job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, and 27% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Park Ranger (Preventative Search & Rescue (PSAR))

Park Ranger (Preventative Search & Rescue (PSAR))

US Department of the Interior

Point Reyes Station, CA • On-site

$77K/yr

Other

Posted 15 days ago


U.S. Department Of The Interior rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

321st of 693 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

You will serve as a Park Ranger (Preventative Search & Rescue (PSAR)) for Point Reyes National Seashore.

This is a temporary position expected to last 1 Year but may be extended up to a maximum of two years based on agency needs and potential funding.
This position is being filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority (FUL). See below under Additional Information for further eligibility guidance.

Qualifications:


Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.


To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Experience may have been technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: park guide or tour leader; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. Additionally, experience must include: performing day-to-day park duties related to preventative search and rescue; advising visitors on best practices for visiting the park; and responding to hazardous incidents including medical emergencies, law enforcement operations or natural disasters.
-OR-
Education: Successful completion of at least two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the occupation. Directly-related fields include natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. Two years of graduate study is considered to be 36 semester hours. You MUST submit a copy of transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience. To combine experience and education, first take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Then take the number of semester hours, or equivalent, earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 18 credit hours, and divide by 18 credit hours, or equivalent. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include 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.
ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.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. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification
CTAP/ICTAP Statement:
Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).

Employment Type: OTHER

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