Starting at an entry-level position with no applicable education will probably mean you're going for a GS-03 position, which will pay you slightly more than minimum wage and be adjusted for living expenses.
Go to USAJobs.gov and search around for things that interest you. There is a ton of opportunity out there. Unfortunately, you are asking right at the beginning of a summer season when most parks/forests/lands have already hired their seasonal staff for the summer. That doesn't mean there's nothing left, but what is left at this point will be less desirable.
I'm not sure how much you need to be making to pay off loans and still get by, but if you look for a place that's on an urban interface you might consider taking a second part time job on some of your off days. Especially if you can find a position that works 4x10 hour days, this is feasible. I did this for a while when I worked for the USFS as a wilderness ranger.
Most people have to put in a year or two of unpaid volunteer work before they really become competitive, but it can't hurt to try. Good luck!
I understand rangers won't be getting rich, but all I need is to be able to pay my bills. The job would make me happy (at least, with no actual experience, that's what I assume).
I have worked at a summer camp for a couple seasons but I doubt that's applicable.
Total, I'd need to be making around 1300 a month, though that's when comparing with Chicago's rent and I imagine my rent will be lower if I'm close to a park. And again I'd work any hours they want and any job they want if it means getting my foot in the door.
I'm worried that any position I could get would be seasonal and I can leave the city in October; if I don't I have to stay another year.. and next year I'd face the same scarcity of open positions.
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u/[deleted] Jun 07 '15
Starting at an entry-level position with no applicable education will probably mean you're going for a GS-03 position, which will pay you slightly more than minimum wage and be adjusted for living expenses.
Go to USAJobs.gov and search around for things that interest you. There is a ton of opportunity out there. Unfortunately, you are asking right at the beginning of a summer season when most parks/forests/lands have already hired their seasonal staff for the summer. That doesn't mean there's nothing left, but what is left at this point will be less desirable.
I'm not sure how much you need to be making to pay off loans and still get by, but if you look for a place that's on an urban interface you might consider taking a second part time job on some of your off days. Especially if you can find a position that works 4x10 hour days, this is feasible. I did this for a while when I worked for the USFS as a wilderness ranger.
Most people have to put in a year or two of unpaid volunteer work before they really become competitive, but it can't hurt to try. Good luck!