Home / Federal careers / GS-0025
Park Ranger
Performs park ranger work including visitor services, resource protection, law enforcement, and interpretive programs.
What GS-0025 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0025, as written.
Park Ranger Series Qualification Requirements
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree in 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 position
- GS-7: 1 full year of graduate-level education in related field OR Superior Academic Achievement
- GS-9: Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education in related field
OR
Experience:
- GS-5: 3 years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating knowledge of natural or cultural resources, resource protection, or park management
- GS-7 and above: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Special Requirements: Some positions require law enforcement credentials, medical fitness standards, and firearms qualification.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0025
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Cavalry Scout
Park Ranger (Law Enforcement). Outdoor reconnaissance, patrol, and observation skills align well with park ranger duties. NPS, BLM, and USFWS positions. Scouts who operated in austere terrain have a natural advantage.
Skills that carry over: Field patrol, Land navigation, Surveillance, Environmental awareness, Emergency response, Report writing.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Marine Science Technician
Park Ranger (Enforcement). Federal law enforcement in national parks and refuges.
Skills that carry over: Law enforcement authority, Environmental enforcement, Public contact, Patrol operations.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Engineer Equipment Operator
Park ranger - NPS hires equipment operators for road and trail maintenance
Skills that carry over: Equipment operation, Trail maintenance, Road construction, Resource management.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Provide visitor information and services
- Protect park resources
- Enforce park regulations
- Conduct interpretive programs
- Respond to emergencies
- Maintain facilities
Key competencies
Resource Protection
Ability to protect and manage natural and cultural resources.
Visitor Services
Skill in providing information and assistance to park visitors.
Law Enforcement
Knowledge of law enforcement procedures and authority (for LE rangers).
Interpretation
Ability to develop and deliver interpretive programs about park resources.
Emergency Response
Skill in responding to medical, fire, and search and rescue emergencies.
Wilderness Skills
Knowledge of backcountry operations and wilderness management.
Public Speaking
Ability to present programs to diverse audiences.
Report Writing
Skill in preparing incident reports and resource documentation.
Visitor Safety
Knowledge of visitor safety management and hazard mitigation.
Environmental Education
Ability to educate the public about conservation and stewardship.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0025
What is a Park Ranger?
A GS-0025 Park Ranger protects and manages federal park lands while providing visitor services and interpretive programs. Park Rangers work at national parks, monuments, historic sites, and recreation areas, handling duties ranging from visitor education to resource protection and emergency response.
How much does a federal Park Ranger make?
Park Rangers earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $82,108 (GS-11 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most rangers work at GS-5/7/9 levels, earning $34,454-$67,865 annually. Senior rangers and supervisors can reach GS-11/12. Law enforcement rangers receive additional compensation through LEAP pay.
What are the requirements for GS-0025 positions?
GS-0025 positions require education and/or experience in park management, natural resource management, history, or related fields. Entry-level GS-5 positions accept a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Law enforcement rangers have additional requirements including training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and meeting physical standards.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0025?
Yes, military experience is valued for Park Ranger positions. Infantry, Military Police, environmental specialists, and those with outdoor leadership experience have transferable skills. Search and rescue, emergency response, and public interaction skills from military service apply directly. Veterans with honorable discharge receive hiring preference for these competitive positions.
What is the career progression for Park Ranger?
Park Rangers typically enter at GS-5 and progress through GS-7/9/11 as they gain experience. Career paths include interpretation, resource management, law enforcement, or administration. Senior positions lead to Chief Ranger, District Ranger, or Park Superintendent roles. Seasonal positions often serve as stepping stones to permanent career appointments.
How do I apply for GS-0025 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Park Ranger' or '0025' series. The National Park Service, Forest Service, and BLM hire rangers. Competition is high, so seasonal experience is valuable. Your federal resume should highlight public speaking, outdoor skills, emergency response training, and relevant education. Veterans preference provides a significant advantage.
Ready to apply for GS-0025?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.