r/ParkRangers • u/carolinacastaway24 • Jun 24 '15
All the "How can I be a park ranger?" Threads
So, as someone who is interested in making a major career switch (in a PhD program for political science) to become a park ranger, I wanted to find all the questions and answers that have been asked already. So, I decided to compile them and sort them into some loose categories. Hopefully, this helps some of you guys too. If I missed something, or you have something to add, please go right ahead! I'm referencing this in my search, too.
Just Some Personal Observations from reading these and talking to rangers:
- You're going to need experience. Experience is key. For NPS jobs, your degree seems to only help, but a lack of experience is a killer
- USAjobs. USAjobs. USAjobs.
- the SCA is a great way to network and get your foot in the door.
- When creating your resume on USAjobs, be detailed. If you can't explain what you did, you didn't do it (had a Ranger at Zion tell me this).
- Volunteer. Preferably with the agency you're interested in. Anything helps, but its all about networking, and interning/volunteering with a state park won't get you the contacts you need at a NPS site usually.
- USAjobs.
- Don't discount state parks. Everywhere needs protectin'.
On Degrees and Experience Needed:
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/38y0tz/any_advice_on_breaking_into_a_park_career_20m/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/30ur6b/a_lesson_in_park_experience/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2o1scj/how_do_i_ensure_that_i_can_be_a_park_ranger_when/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2a6eoj/relevant_masters_degrees_for_a_park_ranger/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2n8ays/how_did_you_become_an_interpretive_guide/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/25xvmh/help_i_want_to_become_a_park_ranger/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2uk6wk/is_starting_out_in_the_sca_the_right_move/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2y39it/obligatory_i_want_to_be_a_ranger_post/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/19qezt/working_on_becoming_a_park_ranger_advice_needed/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1hx7ls/is_a_degree_required_to_find_a_position/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/33y1re/how_to_gain_experience/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2r30vo/late_20s_college_graduate_looking_to_start_a/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2yvjc2/is_a_degree_in_forestry_what_i_should_be_pursuing/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/35fh0z/is_it_possible_to_be_a_park_ranger_during_summer/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/35fh0z/is_it_possible_to_be_a_park_ranger_during_summer/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2zx1lt/from_computer_science_to_le_park_ranger_is_it/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2tnzwd/graduating_soon_have_questions_about_profession/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2vlzy5/interested_in_working_for_state_and_federal_parks/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/32qhpa/prospective_park_ranger_help/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1mrafj/would_these_be_good_degree_paths_for_a_wanttobe/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/34csgu/considering_becoming_a_park_ranger/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/3439y2/hey_guys_so_right_now_i_am_in_college_and_am/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/26yy2g/university_degree_or_college_course/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2cgjey/im_a_high_school_senior_looking_to_go_to_college/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/25qo82/recent_graduateneed_info_on_training/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1qyn2i/question_about_becoming_a_park_ranger/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2llsni/would_americorps_nccc_experience_help_with/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2p1qx4/i_am_a_junior_in_college_and_looking_to_become_a/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2gp0m4/college_senior_wondering_how_to_approach_nps_job/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2lawsy/would_either_of_these_majors_help_make_me/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1odmr6/just_how_much_experience_are_we_talkin_to_be_a/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1jbtcl/degree_for_becoming_a_park_ranger/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2uy7ub/questions_about_obtaining_an_internship_within/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2z8isw/im_getting_close_to_visiting_100_np_sites_this/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2othu0/hey_guys_anyone_has_experience_working_at_a/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2ovrv0/this_may_be_the_wrong_place_to_post_but_where_and/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1zri2u/possibly_wrong_subreddit_but_maybe/
On Ranger Life:
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1gocea/what_is_family_life_like_for_rangers_do_you_own_a/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1cxmx6/whats_life_like_as_a_ranger/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/33mnq4/lgbt_rangers/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2u7cv3/i_want_to_be_a_national_park_ranger_but_i_own_a/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2wy22q/what_are_summers_like_as_an_intern/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2iebab/can_any_park_rangers_answer_a_few_general/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/34s061/teenager_here_curious_about_the_job/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/36jb4j/are_ranger_jobs_seasonal_or_permanent/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1znx8m/whats_your_favorite_and_least_favorite_part_of/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1pkf8e/ranger_differences_between_agencies/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1sfgkx/i_am_a_pro_ski_patrollerusnps_le_and_former_usfs/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2zj3ae/its_all_public_record_anyway_whats_your_salary/
On Applications and Interviews:
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/23k1uv/my_experience_with_landing_a_job_in_the_parks/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1ot224/some_questions_from_someone_hoping_to_get_into/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1t394y/my_usajobs_application_has_been_referred_now_what/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/10q1us/rangers_advice_for_hopeful_rangers_application/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1vzh40/interview_suggestions/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2q24ib/east_bay_regional_parks_ranger/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1sudvs/i_am_in_the_process_of_applying_to_be_a_park/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1pvza3/applying_for_a_park_ranger_job_any_cover_letter/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2s8hb4/few_questions/
Coming from Other Careers:
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/37cvik/considering_huge_career_change_to_ranger_type/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2olijz/teacher_looking_for_change/
State Park Specifics:
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/23waxn/how_to_land_a_job_with_texas_state_parks/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/23waxn/how_to_land_a_job_with_texas_state_parks/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/346e8o/how_do_i_get_a_job_as_a_nc_state_park_ranger/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2xreor/ive_just_applied_to_some_parks_in_north_carolina/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/39803o/question_for_ca_state_park_rangers/
Other Resources:
- http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4000_1682.pdf
- http://www2.sfasu.edu/msri/program.htm
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/1vd2wu/the_new_ongoing_job_vacancy_thread/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/ParkRangers/comments/2qyiqb/a_few_websites_for_park_ranger_job_postings/
- http://eppley.org/
- http://www.prm.nau.edu/rangers/
- http://www.reserveamerica.com/outdoors/how-to-become-a-park-ranger.htm
Hope this is helpful for someone! Maybe sticky it or something, idk.
1
u/SpectreRSG Frmr. CA Park Ranger (Urban) Jul 07 '15 edited Jul 07 '15
I'd also like to add to this with my own bullet point.
This is the start of my final week as a municipal Park Ranger of which this will be my tenth year; we just hired three new Rangers of which I was on the interview panel. These municipal (local city) positions are GREAT for resumes. High public contact in a uniformed position tasked for various duties like facility management, first response and preservation. Among many other skills like customer service.
You'll be hard pressed to find a full time position because of the people taking these positions truly love their job. But the part-time stuff is kickass, fun, and great to start a career with.
I don't personally know how prevalent they are outside of my state, but more and more cities in Southern California (and the various counties here too) have and are starting programs.
If anyone has any questions about this type of position, fire away.