Park Ranger (Preventive Search and Rescue) (Seasonal) – Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hiring GS-5 seasonal preventive search and rescue rangers for 2027, stationed at Cherokee, North Carolina or at Gatlinburg or Townsend, Tennessee. PSAR rangers patrol backcountry and wilderness trails, campgrounds, rivers and roads, plan their own patrol routes, talk with hikers about safety and rules, report violations and resource problems, and deliver safety programs on topics like heat illness, swift water and hiking preparedness. They also provide emergency medical care when needed, and the posting requires a current EMT certification or higher plus a valid driver’s license. Work is expected from April through October 2027 on an appointment of up to 1,039 hours. Pay is $19.52 to $25.37 an hour. Apply on USAJOBS by 10/26/2026; the announcement closes early after 100 applications.