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Our rangers come to work in the National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement through many different avenues, with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The National Park Service hires both full-time permanent law enforcement rangers and seasonal law enforcement rangers.
- The National Park Service hires new permanent law enforcement rangers approximately twice per year. Typically, jobs are posted on USAjobs.gov, and applicants will apply through one of two avenues:
- Delegated Examining (DE) Vacancy Announcement - Open to all US citizens or nationals. Military veterans receive preference in hiring.
- Merit Promotion (MP) Announcement - Open to current government employees, reinstatement eligible employees, and people under certain hiring authorities.
Once you have some experience under your belt, you can take your career even farther and become a special agent with the NPS. The Investigative Services Branch works with the law enforcement rangers on the ground at different parks to investigate complex, sensitive or long-term cases that may involve crimes of violence, major property crimes, fraud, embezzlement, major resource violations and drug cultivation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changes to NPS Law Enforcement Hiring
We encourage everyone who is interested to apply! One of our goals is to prioritize recruitment of applicants who are underrepresented in our law enforcement workforce, including women and diverse candidates. “Diversity” in this context is used to describe individuals from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds, as well as gender, sexual orientation, and those with certain disabilities.
Learn more about the policies which support this effort. We are doing focused outreach in an effort to encourage highly qualified, diverse candidates to apply for these positions. Hiring decisions will not be made on the basis of any protected class.
Yes, candidates who successfully complete training will be fully commissioned federal law enforcement officers in the NPS. They will be required to carry a gun, make arrests, conduct investigations, and perform all the other duties incumbent upon the job.
Learn more about the benefits of working for the federal government. Starting salary is dependent on what grade level you are hired at (GL-5, 7, or 9). The full performance level of these positions is a GL-9. Exact rates may vary by location. View law enforcement pay tables.
Any park with a law enforcement vacancy can participate in the group advertisement. Applicants can select the locations they are interested in working at during the application process. Selected candidates will typically have the opportunity to accept their park placement before committing to the training process.
The NPS advertises these positions through multiple competitive authorities, including postings for current federal employees, current students and recent graduates (within 2 years), Land-Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibles, and all US citizens. Veteran’s Preference will be utilized as applicable. All postings will be searchable on USAJobs.gov.
Resume review teams and interview panels will be comprised of subject-matter experts, including current NPS law enforcement specialists, field rangers, and supervisors.
The hiring team will work with candidates and parks on placement to ensure the best possible fit for both.
Selected candidates will attend training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. Completion of Ranger-Specific Basic Training (RSBT) and Land Management Police Training (LMPT) are expected to take 18 weeks. Completion of the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) is a mandatory next step and takes approximately 11 weeks, not including travel time. FTEP may or may not occur at the candidate’s employing park.
Training occurs on-site at FLETC and students are housed in dormitories or hotels at no cost to the trainee. Students are employed and paid by their park while attending training.
For the purposes of this initiative, if you are eligible for an existing hiring flexibility (such as Veterans Recruitment Authority or Schedule A) the NPS may elect to non-competitively place you in one of the available law enforcement positions.
NOTE: Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and most Pathways applicants are still required to compete, and will need to apply through USAJobs.gov.
If you are applying to a USAJobs.gov announcement, requirements for consideration will be thoroughly detailed in the job postings. Be sure to read through them carefully and ensure that your application package contains any necessary supporting materials.
Applicants being considered during the final interview stage will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a background investigation, physical fitness test, drug screen, and medical evaluation. Applicants may be required to complete psychological testing. If you are unable to pass one of these requirements you will not receive further employment consideration.
Prior to employment you will be required to pass the PEB with a score of 25% or higher in the Bench Press, 1.5 Mile Run, and the Illinois Agility Run. You will be required to participate in the Body Composition and Sit and Reach tests.
Look up required scores for your age and gender.
Learn more about the Medical Standards Program.
Learn more about FLETC Physical Performance Requirements (PPRs).
Reference Ranger-Specific Basic Training and Land Management Police Training.
Being a US law enforcement park ranger is a physically demanding job that requires a high level of fitness and other physical performance requirements. Additionally, it can be mentally, emotionally, and psychologically challenging. A non-disqualifying disability is one that still allows you to perform the essential functions of the job with little to no assistance. Prospective rangers must be able to pass a fitness test and medical exam prior to employment.
Learn more about the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB).
Prior to employment you will be required to pass the PEB with a score of 25% or higher in the Bench Press, 1.5 Mile Run, and the Illinois Agility Run. You will be required to participate in the Body Composition and Sit and Reach tests.
Look up required scores for your age and gender.
Learn more about the Medical Standards Program.
Learn more about FLETC Physical Performance Requirements (PPRs).
Reference Ranger-Specific Basic Training and Land Management Police Training.
Current and previous NPS seasonal employees and those who have attended a Park Ranger Law Enforcement Training Academy (PRLEA) are strongly encouraged to apply. While there is no specific hiring authority for PRLEA attendance, current seasonals with 24 months of qualifying service may be eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). Seasonal experience is highly relevant to permanent employment. Learn more about attending a PRLEA.
This is a primary position covered by enhanced retirement provisions which stipulate mandatory retirement at age 57 after 20 years of service. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, and must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position. Two exceptions are allowed:
An applicant has prior Federal service in a primary covered position sufficient to complete 20 years of service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57;
An applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service.
NPS Seasonal Law Enforcement
If you are only interested in working seasonally, or if you want to gain valuable experience in the job before committing to pursuit of a permanent position, you can attend a Park Ranger Law Enforcement Training Academy, or PRLEA. These academies provide eligibility for a Type II Law Enforcement Commission, allowing you to apply for seasonal appointments. Working seasonally for a federal land management agency, whether as a law enforcement officer or in a non-commissioned position, can help you earn hiring eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
Last updated: May 15, 2024