Navigating Your Career as a Park Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Are you dedicated to preserving natural resources, maintaining public recreation spaces, and promoting environmental education? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is actively recruiting for a Park Ranger (GS-09) at the Operations Division located at Mud Mountain Dam in Enumclaw, Washington.

This position is filled through Direct Hire Authority (DHA), providing an expedited pathway for qualified candidates into competitive federal service. Below is an in-depth guide detailing the position responsibilities, qualification standards, federal compensation package, and critical application guidelines.

About the Agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

As the nation’s premier engineering and environmental management agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays a vital role in national security, economic growth, and ecosystem restoration. The Operations Division at Mud Mountain Dam oversees crucial flood risk management initiatives alongside natural resource protection.

Joining USACE means becoming part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team. Employees are empowered to protect public lands, manage water resources, and serve local communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Key Duties and Day-to-Day Responsibilities

As a GS-09 Park Ranger, your responsibilities span natural resource protection, regulatory enforcement, facility operations, and public engagement. Key duties include:

Regulatory Enforcement: Enforce Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) guidelines to safeguard resources, educating visitors on policies, land usage, and safety regulations.
Patrol & Protection: Perform routine land and water patrols across project boundaries to prevent unauthorized activity, vandalism, trespass, or environmental degradation.
Facility Maintenance & Inspection: Direct and execute daily park maintenance, facility inspections, litter cleanup, and infrastructure monitoring to maintain safety and security.
Planning & Administration: Formulate annual work plans and assist with short-range operational programs related to environmental stewardship, recreation, and land management.
Interpretive Services: Plan, design, and lead educational activities, guided tours, and public outreach programs focused on natural and cultural history.
Team Guidance: Provide functional direction, daily work assignments, and operational guidance to lower-graded rangers, seasonal laborers, and volunteers.
Compliance & Reporting: Complete regular recreation usage reports, monitor service contracts, collect environmental samples, and conduct compliance evaluations.

Qualifications and Requirements

To qualify for the GS-09 Park Ranger role, applicants must demonstrate qualifying specialized experience, higher-level graduate education, or an equivalent combination.

Qualification Options Matrix

Qualification Route	Minimum Requirement
Specialized Experience	1 full year (52 weeks) of specialized work equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in federal service. Must include park planning, report writing, and natural resource management, PLUS experience in budget formulation, service contract inspection, recreation management, or public interpretation.
Graduate Education	A Master’s degree (or equivalent graduate degree) OR 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in fields such as Natural Resource Management, Earth Sciences, Park/Recreation Management, Public Administration, or Sociology.
Combination	A qualifying mathematical combination of post-baccalaureate education (beyond the first year/18 semester hours) and professional specialized experience totaling 100%.

General Eligibility Criteria

Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is required.
Background Check: Must pass a low-risk suitability/fitness adjudication.
Probationary Period: Successful completion of a 1-year initial probationary period.
Selective Service: Mandatory pre-employment registration certification for eligible males born after Dec 31, 1959.

Salary & Compensation Overview

The position carries a competitive federal salary under the General Schedule (GS) pay system:

Grade Level: GS-09
Annual Pay Range: $69,373 to $90,190 per year
Pay Locality: Includes applicable local market adjustments for Enumclaw, WA.
Relocation Expenses: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are not authorized.

Federal Benefits & Incentives

USACE offers a robust, comprehensive federal benefits package designed to support long-term professional stability and personal well-being:

Health & Life Insurance: Choice of comprehensive plans under FEHB, FEGLI, dental, and vision insurance.
Retirement System: Dual-coverage through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% government matching.
Work-Life Balance: Generous annual leave, sick leave accrual, and 11 paid federal holidays.
Flexible Workplace: Eligible for situational, emergency, or unscheduled telework.
Discretionary Incentives: Management may authorize recruitment/relocation incentives, Student Loan Repayment, advanced leave accrual, or advanced in-hire rates for highly qualified candidates.

Essential Application Tips & Guidelines

Applying for federal positions requires strict adherence to submission rules. Avoid common mistakes by following these guidelines:

CRITICAL: The 2-Page Resume Limit Your federal resume must not exceed two pages. Resumes longer than two pages will be immediately rejected without review. Focus your text on core achievements, specialized competencies, and quantified impacts.
Include Complete Employment Details For every job listed on your resume, clearly state:
- Official Job Title
- Employer Name
- Exact Start and End Dates (Month/Year)
- Average Hours Worked per Week (e.g., 40 hours/week)
Transcripts are Mandatory for Education Substitution If qualifying based on graduate degrees or coursework, you must upload complete college transcripts. Foreign education credentials must be evaluated by an approved private recognition service.
Avoid Plain Text Acronyms Spell out organizational acronyms and technical terms to ensure HR specialists can verify your experience easily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How quickly does the position close? A: Applications must be fully submitted via USAJOBS by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on October 28, 2026.

Q: What is Direct Hire Authority (DHA)? A: DHA allows federal agencies to hire qualified candidates directly, streamlining traditional competitive rating procedures when there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need.

Q: Can I apply if I am a veteran or military spouse? A: Yes. Veterans and military spouses are welcome to apply and will be evaluated alongside all qualified candidates under public hiring procedures.

Serving as a Park Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mud Mountain Dam offers an exceptional career path for natural resource professionals. If you possess the necessary environmental management experience or advanced education, prepare your 2-page resume and submit your application package before the closing deadline.

Why This Park Ranger Job Matters

Step into an impactful environmental career as a Park Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Enumclaw, Washington, protecting natural resources and serving the public.

Park Ranger Job Overview

The Department of the Army's U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is recruiting for a Park Ranger (GS-09) at the Mud Mountain Dam Operations Division in Enumclaw, Washington. Operating under Direct Hire Authority, this role focuses on the conservation, preservation, and public regulation of federal lands and water resources. Successful candidates will manage land use, direct interpretative programs, enforce safety regulations, and oversee park maintenance operations.

Requirements for Park Ranger

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Must undergo a background suitability/fitness adjudication (Non-sensitive/Low Risk).
Must complete a 1-year probationary period.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Direct deposit of pay is mandatory.
Application resume MUST be strictly 2 pages or less; longer resumes are automatically disqualified.

Preferred Qualifications for Park Ranger

One year of specialized GS-07 level experience developing park plans, producing reports, and managing natural resources.
Demonstrated experience in budget formulation, service contract inspections, recreation management, or public interpretation.
Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in natural resource management, earth sciences, park and recreation management, anthropology, or public administration.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive GS-09 pay with locality adjustments ($69,373 - $90,190 per year).
✓Eligibility for situational telework.
✓Comprehensive federal health, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with federal matching contributions.
✓Potential recruitment incentives, relocation incentives, student loan repayment, or advanced leave accrual.

💡 How to Apply Park Ranger Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Park Ranger Job

Log into or create an account on USAJOBS.
Ensure your tailored federal resume is two pages or less.
Gather required documentation, including official or unofficial transcripts if qualifying based on education.
Click the apply button to access the USA Staffing online portal and complete the assessment questionnaire.
Verify all uploaded attachments clear the automated security virus scan.
Submit your complete package prior to the closing deadline at 11:59 PM EST on October 28, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Strict Resume Length Rule: Ensure your resume is no longer than two pages. Resumes exceeding this limit will be immediately removed from consideration without evaluation.
Detail Work Hours: Include complete employment details for each role, including clear start/end dates (MM/YYYY) and exact hours worked per week.
Avoid Acronyms: Write in clear, plain language without relying on agency-specific abbreviations or jargon.
Submit Transcripts: If substituting education for experience, you must provide transcripts; failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary range for this Park Ranger position?

The position is offered at the GS-09 grade level with a starting salary range of $69,373 to $90,190 per year, which includes local market supplements.

Is remote work available for this position?

No, this position is not available for full remote work. It qualifies only for situational, unscheduled, or emergency telework as approved by management.

What is the strict formatting rule for the resume?

The hiring agency strictly requires a resume of two pages or less. Any application submitting a resume exceeding two pages will be automatically disqualified.

Are relocation expenses covered?

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or relocation payment costs are not authorized for this recruitment action.

Park Ranger Job

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers