PARK RANGER
Environmental Career Presentation
October 30, 2007
“To work in this field, you must enjoy learning about the outdoors, have a passion for nature and history, and have the desire and drive to teach people what they might not know about their country’s wilderness”
- Bob Fuhrmann, park ranger
Background Needed
• Bachelor’s degree• Certification in advanced first aid, CPR,
fire control, and search and rescue procedures
• Helpful:– Seasonal experience in state or local parks– Coursework in law enforcement
• High level management positions may require graduate degrees
In national parks, on the job training and orientation is
sometimes supplemented with formal training courses
Demand
• Few job openings and fierce competition
• Part-time or seasonal work is an important stepping stone
• Working knowledge of law enforcement, management, and communication skills
• Demand for fee collectors and resource managers is greater than for rangers in education and protection
Demand
• In general, job demand is steady
• A large percentage of current rangers has been working for over 15-20 years, so in coming years there will be a lot of job openings in the field
Salary
• Entry-level: $27,000• Annual median earnings: $45,000
• National Park Service: – Summer ranger hires with a college
degree: $18,687– Permanent ranger hires $20,908-
$31,680
A Day in the Life
• “If you love the beauty of misty mornings outlined by hazy sunshine, the smell of dew and new beginnings, then a park ranger’s life might be ideal for you.”
• Some of your daily responsibilities might include…
Conservation and resource management
Development of educational materials and
programs
Fire control
Enforcement of laws and regulations
Gathering and dissemination of natural, historical, and scientific
information
Property protection
Folk art demonstrations
Campground operation
Responsibilities
• Can basically be narrowed down to:– Resource management and law
enforcement– Interpretation and public education
• Specific duties vary widely based on position and the site’s size and specific needs
Responsibilities
• Safety is a primary responsibility• Rangers must strictly enforce
outdoor safety codes• First aid and rescue operations• Empowered to arrest and forcibly
evict those who violate park laws
Career Opportunities
• May move through ranks– District Rangers– Park Managers– Staff specialists in interpretation,
resource management, park planning, etc.
• Responsibilities and independence increase as influence covers more staff and area
Associated Careers
• Law enforcement • Zoo keeping• Corporate landscaping• Pollution containment• Customer and Public Relations
managers