The National Park Service is hiring for four river rangers to work on the New River, Gauley River, Meadow River, and Bluestone River. Click here to go to the Park Ranger (Whitewater Rescue) job announcement at USAJobs.gov. The application period closes February 10, 2012, which means this link won’t work after that date. These are full time, seasonal jobs not to exceed 1,039 hours (six months) of work in a year.

These river rangers work in the New River Gorge National River, two out of the Burnwood Ranger Station in Fayetteville, WV, and two out of the Grandview Ranger Station in Grandview, WV.

Duties include:

• Patrolling the 90 plus whitewater river miles and up to Class V+ rapids on the four rivers in the New River Gorge National River,
• Providing river rescue and recovery,
• Providing education to river users on safe boating practices and etiquette,
• Monitoring commercial and private river user compliance with safety, camping regulations and resource protection,
• Utilizing various equipment including paddle and oar-powered rafts, motorized catarafts, and kayaks, and,
• Responding to emergencies and providing emergency medical aid.