Do you want to work outdoors in the fresh air? Do you have a passion for environmental conservation? Are you eager to learn about wildlife and share your knowledge with others? If so, you should consider working for the National Park Service as a park ranger.
As a park ranger, you will spend hours each day outside in nature, maintaining and patrolling your stomping ground. As a steward of the environment, you will be tasked with protecting wildlife and keep visitors safe and informed while they enjoy the park’s natural beauty.
What Does a Park Ranger Do?
Park rangers work for the National Park Service or a similar organization and are dedicated to the care of state or national parks like Yellowstone National Park, the Everglades, or Crater Lake National Park. The mission of a park ranger is focused on conserving America’s natural resources and educating visitors about nature and wildlife.
Visitor services are a big part of working as a park ranger. Keeping visitors informed not only protects the parks but also keeps visitors from getting lost or injured by natural events or aggressive wildlife. You will also protect the park from damage by vandals, and keep the park safe from other hazards like forest fires.
In the event that someone gets lost or injured on park property, a park ranger would participate in search and rescue operations if necessary. Your purpose as a park ranger is to help visitors appreciate the beauty around them and coexist safely with nature.
Park Ranger Specialization
Some park rangers specialize in caring for a certain kind of natural environment or a specific aspect of the job. Broadly speaking, there are two types of park rangers: interpretive and protective. Interpretive rangers deal with the public, and protective rangers spend their time on patrol to keep the parks safe for wildlife and visitors alike.
Interpretive Park Rangers
These rangers deal with the public, educating and assisting people at the visitors center and leading park tours. If you have ever been on a national park tour, your guide was probably an interpretive park ranger. As the “face of the national park”, they need to possess better-than-average interpersonal skills.
Protective Park Rangers
These are the rangers you see driving around the park keeping an eye on things. They are also the rangers who respond if someone is in trouble or if someone is damaging park property. There are a few different kinds of protective rangers, depending on the park.
Backcountry ranger is an excellent job for the wandering loner type. You may spend weeks out in the sprawling park expanse without meeting another human soul. It’s just you and nature, and you get paid to look after it.
Snow rangers specialize in patrolling a snowy environment. This job involves operating snow vehicles, and you will probably be busier during skiing season. You will also be trained in avalanche rescue.
Water rangers work in more aquatic areas like the Everglades. As a water ranger, you would be trained in water vehicles and participate in water rescue missions when needed.
Is a Park Ranger a Good Career in 2021?
The National Park Service oversees more than 400 national parks. There are jobs available all over the United States, whether you want to work full-time or seasonally. National Parks receive hundreds of applications per season, so it’s a good idea to apply at smaller parks, too.
Minimum Qualifications Required
To be a park ranger, you must first be a U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. driver’s license and be at least 21 years old. You also have to pass a background check, medical exam, and drug test.
To qualify for a position as a park ranger, you need a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science, or a park management or forestry degree if your university offers it. Once you are hired, you will be trained at either Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona or at the National Park Service training facility located in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.
How Much Does a Park Ranger Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , a park ranger makes an average of $38,660 in annual salary. The top 10% of park rangers make approximately $84,980 per year.
As with most jobs, your salary increases as you receive more education in the field. Park rangers are typically hired at the G-5 level, which requires a four-year degree. With each year of graduate study in a related field, a park ranger can move up to a higher level in the salary range.
Are Job Requirements Different from State to State?
The specific requirements vary, but every state requires its applicants to complete a fitness exam, submit to a background check, hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to Natural Science or Law Enforcement, and have a legal driver’s license.
When applying to a particular national park as a park ranger, check the park’s website and job description to make sure you meet any extra requirements.
Park Ranger Skill Set Requirements
In addition to the minimum requirements that we discussed earlier, park rangers must prioritize physical fitness. You will be outdoors and on your feet for most of the day. You should also be able to work long hours. Park rangers patrol the parks at all times of the day and night.
You should also have good communication skills and the ability to work with others. Even though you will be by yourself in the wilderness sometimes, you will still have to interact with people, often in a dangerous situation where clear and direct communication is crucial.
It is also useful to have training in first aid, emergency techniques, and CPR.
What’s the Career Progression for a Park Ranger?
With enough experience, you could move up the ranks and become a park superintendent in charge of training and supervising park employees. You could also advance into a career as a regional director responsible for implementing programs across parks in a specific region.
With the right qualifications and experience, you could be involved in maintaining America’s natural beauty on a national level.
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