Become A Law Enforcement Ranger

Duration:

6 minutes, 14 seconds

If not you, then who? Create positive change, be a part of the legacy, and trailblaze the future by joining National Park Service law enforcement, which protects our natural and cultural heritage and the many people who come out to enjoy these special places.

Rangers Rosileen Ferioli and Heather Hamilton, Trainee Nathan Edgerton, and Ranger Brandon Higgins

Protect people, parks, and our shared heritage.

Law enforcement is a rewarding profession. Combine it with some of America's most amazing views, historically significant places and rich cultures and you have a fulfilling and noble career. The National Park Service (NPS) is looking for its next generation of law enforcement rangers – those trusted to protect the country's most precious resources.

We're proud that our law enforcement rangers come from all walks of life and cultures. Whether you're a veteran, a student, bilingual, or just looking for a meaningful career, there's a path to employment for you.

Learn about our training and employment process

Find Positions and Locations

Apply for National Park Service law enforcement positions at USA Jobs. The National Park Service may fill law enforcement positions at any of the below locations:

List of Locations

The National Park Service may fill law enforcement positions at any of the below locations: 

Park	City and State
Acadia National Park	Bar Harbor, Maine
	Winter Harbor, Maine
Amistad National Recreation Area	Del Rio, Texas
Arches National Park	Moab, Utah
Assateague Island National Seashore	Berlin, Maryland
Badlands National Park	Interior, Sourth Dakota
Bandelier National Monument	Los Alamos, New Mexico
Big Bend National Park	Big Bend National Park, Texas
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area	Fort Smith, Montana
Big Cypress National Preserve	Ochopee, Florida
Biscayne National Park	Homestead, Florida
Big South Fortk National River & Recreation Area	Stearns, Kentucky
	Oneida, Tennessee
Big Thickett National Preserve	Kountze, Texas
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park	Montrose, Colorado
Blue Ridge Parkway	Blowing Rock, North Carolina
	James River, Virginia
	Bedford County, Virginia
	Laurel Springs, North Carolina
	Spruce Pine, North Carolina
	Asheville, North Carolina
	Waynesville, North Carolina
	Floyd, Virginia
	Vinton, Virginia
	Big Island, Virginia
	Montebello, Virginia
Boston National Historical Park	Boston, Massachusetts
	Charlestown, Massachusetts
	Concord, Massachusetts
Bryce Canyon National Park	Bryce Canyon, Utah
Buffalo National River	Yellville, Arkansas
	St. Joe, Arkansas
	Marble Falls, Arkansas
	Harrison, Arkansas
Cabrillo National Monument	San Diego, California
Cape Cod National Seashore	Wellfleet, Massachusetts
	Provincetown, Massachusetts
	Eastham, Massachusetts
Cape Hatteras National Seashore	Buxton, North Caorlina
	Nags Head, North Caorlina
	Ocracoke, North Caorlina
Capek Lookout National Seashore	Harkers Island, North Caorlina
Canyonlands National Park	Monticello, Utah
Capitol Reef National Monument	Torrey, Utah
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument	St. Augustine, Florida
Catoctin Mountain Park	Thurmont, Maryland
Carlsbad Caverns National Park	Carlsbad, New Mexico
Chamizal National Memorial	El Paso, Texas
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area	Sandy Springs, Georgia
	Atlanta, Georgia
Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park	Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
Chaco Culture National HIstorical Park	Nageezi, New Mexico
Chickasaw National Recreation Area	Sulphur, Oklahoma
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park	Sharpsburg, Maryland
	Williamsport, Maryland
	Hancock, Maryland
	Cumberland, Maryland
Christiansted National Historic Site	St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Colonial National Historical Park	Yorktown, Virginia
	Jamestown, Virginia
Cowpens National Monument	Gaffney, South Carolina
Crater Lake National Park	Crater Lake, Oregon
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park	Middlesboro, Kentucky
Cumberland Island National Seashore	St. Marys, Georgia
Curecanti National Recreation Area	Gunnison, Colorado
Cuyahoga Valley National Park	Peninsula, Ohio
	Brecksville, Ohio
Denali National Park & Preserve	Denali Park, Arkansas
Devils Tower National Monument	Devils Tower, Wyoming
Death Valley National Park	Death Valley, California
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area	Bushkill, Pennsylvania
Dinosaur National Monument	Jensen, Utah
	Dinosaur, Colorado
Dry Tortugas National Park	Key West, Florida
El Morro National Monument	Grants, New Mexico
Everglades National Park	Miami, Florida
	Ochopee, Florida
	Everglades City, Florida
	Homestead, Florida
	Key Largo, Florida
	Flamingo, Florida
Fire Island National Seashore	Patchogue, New York
	Mastic Beach, New York
	West Islip, New York
	Oyster Bay, New York
Flight 93 National Memorial	Shanksville Pennsylvania
Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine	Baltimore, Maryland
Fort Necessity National Battlefield	Farmington, Pennsylvania
Fort Pulaski National Monument	Savannah, Georgia
Fort Sumter & Fort Multrie National Historical Park	Sullivan's Island, Sourth Carolina
	Mount Pleasant, Sourth Carolina
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park	Fredericksburg, Virginia
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve	Fairbanks, Alaska
Gateway National Recreation Area	Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey
	Highlands, New Jersey
George Washington Birthplace National Monument	Colonial Beach, Virginia
Glacier National Park	West Glacier, Montana
	St. Mary, Montana
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve	Bartlett Cove, Alaska
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area	Page, Arizona
	Halls Crossing (San Juan County), Utah
	Hite (San Juan County), Utah
	Bullfrog (Kane County), Utah
Golden Gate National Recreation Area	San Francisco, California
	Sausalito, California
Grand Canyon National Park	Grand Canyon Arizona
	Marble Canyon (Lees Ferry), Arizona
	North Rim Arizona
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve	Mosca, Colorao
Great Smoky Mountains National Park	Bryson City, North Carolina
	Townsend, Tennessee
	Gatlinburg, Tennessee
	Cherokee, North Carolina
	Cosby, Tennessee
Grand Teton National Park	Moose, Wyoming
	Colter Bay, Wyoming
Gulf Islands National Seashore	Ocean Springs, Mississippi
	Gulf Breeze, Florida
Haleakalā National Park	Kipahulu, Hawaii
	Kula, Hawaii
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park	Hawaii National Park, Hawaii
Hot Springs National Park	Hot Springs, Arkansas
Independence National Historical Park	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Indiana Dunes National Park	Porter, Indiana
Isle Royale National Park	Houghton, Michigan
	Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Gateway Arch National Park	St. Louis, Missouri
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve	Marrero, Louisiana
Jimmy Carter National Historical Park	Plains, Georgia
Joshua Tree National Park	Twentynine Palms, California
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park	Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kalaupapa National Historical Park	Kalaupapa, Hawaii
Katmai National Park & Preserve	King Salmon, Alaska
	Brooks Camp, Alaska
Kennesaw Mountain National Military Park	Kennesaw, Georgia
Kings Mountain National Military Park	Blacksburg, South Dakota
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park	Skagway, Alaska
Lava Beds National Monument	Tulelake, California
Lake Mead National Recreation Area	Clark County, Nevada
	Boulder City, Nevada
	Bullhead City, Arizona
	Searchlight, Nevada
	Willow Beach, Arizona
	Temple Bar, Arizona
	Mohave County, Arizona
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area	Fritch, Texas
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area	Davenport, Washington
	Kettle Falls, Washington
Lassen Volcanic National Park	Mineral, California
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument	Crow Agency, MT
Little River Canyon National Preserve	Fort Payne, Alabama
Lowell National Historical Park	Lowell, Massachusetts
Mammoth Cave National Park	Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Minute Man National Historical Park	Concord, Massachusetts
	Lincoln, Massachusetts
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park	Atlanta, Georgia
Manassas National Battlefield Park	Manassas, Virginia
Mesa Verde National Park	Mesa Verde, Colorado
Missouri National Recreational River	Yankton, South Dakota
Montezuma Castle National Monument	Camp Verde, Arizona
Mojave National Preserve	Kelso, California
Monocacy National Battlefield	Frederick, Maryland
Mount Rushmore National Memorial	Enumclaw, Washington
	Longmire, Washington
Mount Rushmore National Memorial	Keystone, South Dakota
Natchez Trace Parkway	Cherokee, Alabama
	Franklin, Tennessee
	Hohenwald, Tennessee
	Tupelo, Mississippi
	Mantee, Mississippi
	Kosciusko, Mississippi
	Port Gibson, Mississippi
	Ridgeland, Mississippi
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve	Lansing, West Virginia
	Beaver, West Virginia
	Glen Jean, West Virginia
Niobrara National Scenic River	Valentine, Nebraska
North Cascades National Park	Marblemount, Washington
Ocmulgee National Historical Park	Macon, Georgia
	Plains, Georgia
Olympic National Park	Forks, Washington
	Port Angeles, Washington
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument & Preserve	Cave Junction, Oregon
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument	Ajo, Arizona
Ozark National Scenic Riverways	Van Buren, Arkansas
	Eminence, Missouri
www.nps.gov/PACI	Stillwater, New York
Padre Island National Seashore	Corpus Christi, Texas
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument	Saint George, Utah
Petrified Forest National Park	Petrified Forest, Arizona
Pearl Harbor National Memorial	Honolulu, Hawaii
Petersburg National Battlefield	Petersburg, Virginia
Petroglyph National Monument	Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pinnacles National Park	Soledad, California
	Paicines, California
Point Reyes National Seashore	Point Reyes Station, California
Prince William Forrest Park	Triangle, Virginia
Redwood National & State Parks	Crescent City, California
	Orick, California
Richmond National Battlefield Park	Richmond, Virginia
Rocky Mountains National Park	Grand Lake, Colorado
	Estes Park, Colorado
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park	San Antonio, Texas
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway	Trego, Wisconsin
	Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Saguaro National Park	Tucson, Arizona
San Juan National Historic Site	San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area	Thousand Oaks, California
	Newbury Park, California
	Malibu, California
Saratoga National Historical Park	Stillwater, New York
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	Three Rivers, California
	Kings Canyon National Park, California
	Sequoia National Park, California
Shenandoah National Park	Luray, Virginia
	Big Meadows, Virginia
Sitka National Historical Park	Sitka, Alaska
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore	Empire, Minnesota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park	Watford City, North Dakota
	Medora, North Dakota
Upper Delaware National Scenic & Recreational River	Beach Lake, Pennsylvania
Valley Forge National HIstorical Park	King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Valles Caldera National Preserve	Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Virgin Islands National Park	St. John, US Virgin Islands
Voyageurs National Park	International Falls, Minnesota
Western Arctic National Parklands	Kotzebue, Alaska
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area	Whiskeytown, California
White Sands National Park	Alamogordo, New Mexico
Wind Cave National Park	Hot Springs, South Dakota
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield	Republic, Missouri
Wrangell - St. Elias National Park & Preserve	McCarthy, Alaska
	Copper Center, Alaska
Yellowstone National Park	Yellowstone National Park, Montana
	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yosemite National Park	Mariposa County, California
	Yosemite, California
Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve	Fairbanks, Alaska
Zion National Park	Mount Carmel Junction, Utah
	Springdale, Utah

Get Job Announcement Notifications

To be notified of upcoming announcements, please email us. Include your full name and contact information. Please review the FAQs below for answers to some of our most common inquiries.

The National Park Service is actively recruiting for new law enforcement rangers to join our team! Prior attendance of a Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy (PRLEA, also known as “Seasonal Academy”) is not a prerequisite for consideration. Prior NPS experience is not required. Jobs will be posted approximately 3 times each year, for multiple locations across the service.

Are you or someone you know:

• A current status employee in the NPS or another federal agency, who is considering a career change to Visitor and Resource Protection?
• Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) eligible?
• Schedule A-eligible through a non-disqualifying disability?
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligible?
• Have another hiring authority not listed here?

If so, you could be a good candidate for this opportunity! We also advertise announcements open to the public, and U.S. military veterans receive preference. Learn more about Veteran’s Preference in federal hiring.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changes to NPS Law Enforcement Hiring Initiative

Who are you trying to have apply for these positions? 

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. 

Is this a law enforcement position? 

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. 

What are the salary benefits? 

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. 

What locations are available? / What parks are hiring? 

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. 

How will these positions be advertised? 

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. 

How will candidates be selected? 

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. 

How will candidates who are selected be trained? 

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 17 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. 

What is non-competitive hiring and how is that different from applying to a job? 

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. 

What requirements would I have to meet if I am being considered for one of these positions? 

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. 

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. 

What is a non-disqualifying disability?

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. 

Is there a hiring initiative for attending the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Training Academy (PRLEA)?

Yes, current and previous NPS seasonal employees and those who have attended a PRLEA are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Is there an age limit? 

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. 

Find Opportunities Designed for Veterans

John's career with the NPS started after nine years as a Marine. He grew up going to the parks with his parents and continued his love for the outdoors into adulthood, when he served as a climbing instructor and rafting guide. Learn about opportunities for veterans.

• 

  Park Ranger John Craig

  While hiking in the Grand Canyon for his 30th birthday, he realized that he could get paid to do the very activity he did in his free time. Like many veterans before him, he found success in transitioning from the military into law enforcement with the NPS.

  Duration:

  49 seconds

Become a Part of a Workforce that Values Diversity

Just as each park is unique, so are the different backgrounds and cultures that make up our law enforcement rangers. Our rangers serve in parks across the country, including parks in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The NPS embraces the diversity of America's people and is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that draws from all segments of our society. Learn about efforts to encourage diversity

• 

  Park Ranger Raul Ruiz

  Ranger Raul grew up in the Miami area, worked his way up through NPS dispatching and now serves as a law enforcement ranger protecting the same area he has cherished since his childhood—an area that is richly diverse in cultural and historical significance.

  Duration:

  1 minute, 44 seconds

Start Learning in a Seasonal Training Program

If you ask an NPS law enforcement ranger what he or she likes best about their career, you will most likely hear that every day is different, which makes going to work exciting and challenging. Learn about seasonal training programs.

• 

  Park Ranger Kayla Sanders

  Kayla Sanders has worked with the NPS as a law enforcement ranger from "cities to swamps," as she says. She graduated from college, went through one of the seasonal training academies and now has launched her career with the NPS.

  Duration:

  13 seconds