Mount Rainier National Park Climbing Ranger Positions Available
Mount Rainier National Park is currently accepting applications for two climbing ranger positions, GS-5 ($16.56/hr) and GS-7 ($20.51/hr). Applications are due by November 17, 2016 and the positions are scheduled to start March 19, 2017. Please visit USAJOBS for more information:
GS-5 – https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/453683100
GS-7 – https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/453669300
The “selective factors” in this position provide a special route for IFMGA affiliate certification in Alpine curriculums.
There are three selective factors:
1) Mountaineering:
GS-5(20 recreational or professional alpine mountaineering ascents) or IFMGA affiliate member Alpine Guide or Rock Guide course
GS-7(10 professional alpine mountaineering ascents) or IFMGA affiliate member Alpine Guide course completion
2) Emergency Medical Services:
GS-7 EMT
GS-5 WFR
3) Avalanche / Snow Safety: US Level 2 or CAA Level 1
Duties
The chief duties of this position include professional alpine mountaineering, aviation, technical rope rescue, avalanche forecasting, and emergency medical services. The incumbent participates as a team leader or member on patrols to climb any of the 25 main routes on Mount Rainier. Terrain consists of trails, sub-alpine meadows, rocky slopes, snow fields, glaciers, and vertical ice from 1,800 to above 14,400 feet in winter-like conditions, even in the summer. Camping and climbing at high altitude, on glaciers, even in stormy conditions is required. Conducting resource monitoring, concession monitoring, and visitor interactions will also be the responsibility of the incumbent. As many as 10-15 days a month may require in or out of park backcountry travel. Incumbent maintains a high level of physical fitness and is required to be able to hike to Camp Muir in typical fair-weather summer conditions in less than four hours.
The incumbent staffs one of several ranger stations or climbing high camps. The incumbent performs climber registration and safety education, writes route reports, makes weather and avalanche forecasts, and performs public outreach. The incumbent issues or denies several different types of climbing related permits. The incumbent also writes reports, prepares incident documentation, and makes blog posts on various climbing related topics.
The employee will participate and help lead in search and rescues (SARs) for lost, overdue, injured, and deceased persons throughout the park. Incumbent shall maintain a high state of training proficiency and readiness to respond to a variety of emergency calls for service throughout the park. Initial patient assessment, treatment, splinting, packaging, drug interventions, vital signs, and BLS transport are performed. Employee transports and/or leads a small team to transport patients via wheeled litters, toboggans, technical rope systems, ambulance, and/or helicopter.
Employee will lead responses to avalanche related emergencies and must be proficient as a backcountry skier or snowboarder. Following guidelines, the incumbent must be able to recognize avalanche terrain, conditions, and human factors surrounding avalanche phenomena and safely navigate and make route decision choices through terrain. Expert skill in beacon searching for single and multiple buried victims is required.
Employee will also be tasked with general upkeep, cleaning, and sanitation of back country facilities, including restroom sanitation, human waste storage and removal, and minor construction or repairs on buildings in the back country.
