National Park Service Rangers

[2971511]

Slightly off-topic, but since seasonals don't get any retirement credit, could someone conceivable do 20 years in a 6c-covered position, retire, and then work as a seasonal for NPS?



Funny to read this: I met Jill when she was at Mt. Rainier. She seems to have moved up pretty fast (a heck of a lot faster than ME, anyway ).

During some traing on our retirement system and things about hiring, I asked this exact question, but the person teaching the class promised to get back to me with the answer, and AS USUAL NEVER DID..... My guess is yes, but I'd ned to see it in writing, before i did it.

[Squirrel]

Just wondering ,,, Do any of the Seasonal academies offer an EMT-Basic ?

Not to my knowledge. If they do offer something, it's usually first responder.

Slightly off-topic, but since seasonals don't get any retirement credit, could someone conceivable do 20 years in a 6c-covered position, retire, and then work as a seasonal for NPS?

I'm not aware of anything prohibiting it, and in fact know one Ranger who said he planned to.

I would prefer to go to one out west if any of those have a good rep.

I've run into a lot of NAU grads. It seems to be a very popular school. Some of them were OK, some I wasn't very impressed with. Of course, I don't know how much that's a reflection on the school, and how much that's a reflection on the NPS for making seasonals take a 334 hour course, giving them just enough rope to hang themselves with, then turning them lose with car keys, a badge and a gun.

By making those LE Rangers there USPP

Converting the positions? Or taking the people currently in the positions, and telling them, "start wearing blue to work tomrorow?"

[ACO88]

I think they are all certified and each has it's pros and cons. I would suggest finding one closest to your house, unless you talk to someone and the tell you the either stay away from a particular college, or that one is REALLY GREAT.

I would prefer to go to one out west if any of those have a good rep.

[GreenLine]

Slightly off-topic, but since seasonals don't get any retirement credit, could someone conceivable do 20 years in a 6c-covered position, retire, and then work as a seasonal for NPS?

according to Chief Ranger Jill Hawk

Funny to read this: I met Jill when she was at Mt. Rainier. She seems to have moved up pretty fast (a heck of a lot faster than ME, anyway ).

[JadedUSPP]

By making those LE Rangers there USPP, and more of I hiring blitz that is going on now. No, not a lot of the Superintendents are in favor of this. If it comes from the Secretary's mouth, it will get done. I too will believe it when I see it.

[2971511]

Which of those seasonal academies would you recommend?

I think they are all certified and each has it's pros and cons. I would suggest finding one closest to your house, unless you talk to someone and the tell you the either stay away from a particular college, or that one is REALLY GREAT.

[2971511]

Just wondering ,,, Do any of the Seasonal academies offer an EMT-Basic ? .. If not there might be some money in theem thinking about doing that, you'd graduate with a level 2 commission and NREMT-B, might up your chances.... just a thought

[ACO88]

Which of those seasonal academies would you recommend?

[LochRaven]

It doesn't hurt to see if your picked seasonal academy has a state certification attachment. I think some of them do. That way you spend a few extra weeks at the academy, but come out with the level II as well as a local/state certification. So if you have trouble being picked up by what you really want to do in the mean time, you can work elsewhere and gain experience part-time or whatever your prerogative might be.

[Squirrel]

I do know before graduation you get a list of every park that needs people and they work to get you in which you choose...

Okay, first of all, it's not like a police department where you make a wish list, and get placed somewhere. YOU need to be doing the work, as ultimately, YOU are the one responsible for getting YOURSELF a job. The seasonal academy has NOTHING to do with getting you in where you want to be. They can work with you on your resume, and give you some interviewing advice, but ultimately, it's YOUR job to apply to each vacancy you're interested in. You have to make the cert, which, for most of the seasonal jobs, is now handled by HR folks in West Virginia. The hiring park just gets a list of names of eligible people.

If you're applying for seasonal jobs, DO NOT wait until graduation, especially if you're enrolled in a SLETP that ends in the spring. Some parks fly their summer seasonal announcements as early as November and December. I started applying as soon as I was accepted into a seasonal academy.

If you wait, you may find that all the jobs have been snapped up. My advice: Apply to any position that you have an interest in, and the first one that comes along, take it. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You might get offers after you take that first one. You can reneg on the first offer, but I don't recommend it. The NPS is a SMALL community, and word spreads quickly. Do a good season at your first park, get invited back, and do another season. Get some experience and good references, and then branch out. If you have rehire status, you've always got a "fallback." I applied to a lot fewer parks my second time around, because I no longer had to worry about finding just any job. I was no longer a beggar, so I could afford to be a chooser.

Oh, and if you applied to the permanent Philly announcement that ran 7/2009 to 7/2010 -- you're not qualified. Level 2 commission required.

[NYRESCUE]

Wow guys all great information!! Needless to say I need to get the certification and speak with the higher ups at school to see where people are needed. I do know before graduation you get a list of every park that needs people and they work to get you in which you choose. I do have a leg up as I applied to to both Philly and Sandy hook when the announcement was out last month.

You guys seem to be spitting off alot of information so dont let me stop you lol...

[orlandofed5-0]

We can not handle what we have, what makes you thinkwe are going t be branching out into more urban parks ??? I have heard NOTHING on this, and I do not think most of the Supt. are in favor of that either, and they would eed to sign off before any moves like that.

Ive heard the INDE and Boston rumors for the last 10 years. I would believe it when I see it!

[2971511]

This is why the USPP may or will be branching out to the urban parks as stated above. DM9 is or soon will be the manual that covers all DOI LE.

We can not handle what we have, what makes you thinkwe are going t be branching out into more urban parks ??? I have heard NOTHING on this, and I do not think most of the Supt. are in favor of that either, and they would eed to sign off before any moves like that.

[orlandofed5-0]

Only way into INDE or Sandy Hook is with a NPS level II cert. Only place that Ive seen not require it was Thomas Edison Park in West Orange NJ and they just established a list.

[JadedUSPP]

This is why the USPP may or will be branching out to the urban parks as stated above. DM9 is or soon will be the manual that covers all DOI LE.