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