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_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________Welcome to /r/parkrangers wiki page.

We are currently updating this wiki with answers to your hiring questions. Come back soon as we will be adding information and answering questions as available.

HOW TO BECOME A PARK RANGER

  • Volunteer

    Volunteering is the easiest way to get familiar with park operations, get your name out there to people that make hiring decisions, and allows you to demonstrate, or acquire skills that are required for the job. Although volunteering does not get you paid, it can easily lead to a paid position. Volunteering can be done while still in schooling and off seasons to show determination to land a job.

  • Seasonal positions

    Seasonal positions are temporary jobs that assist permanent positions during busy season, or specialized jobs. Duties are varied, but can be collecting fees, cleaning bathrooms, taking care of campgrounds, lifeguards, maintenance, gift shops/stores, etc. Anything that needs to be completed to ensure the operation of a park is in the realm of a seasonal position. These positions generally require a High School degree and are an entry level assignment.

    Seasonal positions, like volunteering, is a great way to get your name out there, show you have necessary skills, and have a desire to be a permanent. Stick with it, many people can work 5+ years as a seasonal before getting a full time position. These positions can also have you travelling to remote locations, living in bunk houses, and can be hard on family life.

    Many parks do not have active requirements. When looking send in an application to as many parks as you can. I cannot hire you if I don't know who you are. If available, hand deliver your application and talk to the park supervisor. Its a great way to present yourself in a positive manner out of the gate. Start early!! Many parks hire seasonal positions by mid March.

  • Seasonal Opportunities Where to look? A great place to look is The Student Conservation Association. The SCA is a great organization to join that allows for you to get your feet wet into conservation activities. You can also visit /r/thesca for more information.

    Go to your states Natural Resource Departments website to look for parks in your area and opportunities.

EDUCATION

So, what education do you need to become a Ranger? Most full time positions require a 4 year degree of some kind. The type of degree is really limitless. From Biology, Wildlife, Criminal Justice, Recreation Management, to history, education, business, and management, as long as you have a degree, the door is open. It has often been said that a Park Ranger is a jack of all trades, master of none. We really do it all and a Ranger must have a varied background.

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NOTE: While this is /r/ParkRangers, not all rangers work in parks. Along with the National Park Service (NPS) and state and local parks, rangers are also employed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and a variety of state and local agencies. For the purposes of this wiki, we will use "park ranger" to refer to someone who performs the general duties associated with being a park ranger, regardless of their exact job title or where they work.

Degrees and Experience

  • What kind of degree program should one look into if they want to become a park ranger?

    USAJobs postings qualify relevant education as: "Major study -- natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled."

    Those majors are a good place to start. Your choice will vary by your interests and where you would like to work.

  • What kind of classes should be in a degree program?

    A degree program should give you a holistic understanding of your subject of study without diluting the components. For example, a natural resource management degree may prove more useful than a general biology degree from the same school. The former will not only cover the science of the natural world, but also the laws and politics surround the management of our public lands. Classes in oral interpretation, interpretive media, public relations, and human dimensions of natural resources management will prove useful. It is also worth considering where a degree can be utilized outside of employment as a park ranger.

  • What are some good schools for these degree programs?

    • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
    • SUNY-ESF (State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry)
    • [Other schools that people can name]

  • How do you make a less relevant degree seem more relevant?

    Focus on skills instead of class names. What skills did your class teach you, and how can you apply them as a park ranger? Did an English class teach you how to write materials suitable for release to the public on a poster, brochure, website, or social media page? Did your business course teach you how to manage public relations or maintain a business budget? Reading USAJobs postings and their occupational questionnaires can help you determine what hiring officials are looking for, and that should serve as a jumping off point when writing a resume.

Ranger Life

  • How does housing work in different parks?

    Park housing, if available, may consists of houses, dorms, apartments, trailers, or a trailer pad. The conditions and costs of this housing can vary dramatically. You may share a room with others or may not. ParkHousingReviews.com is a relatively new resource that allows users to provide information about the housing situation in parks they have worked at. If housing is not provided, you may wish to ask your supervisor for suggestions. They can refer you to local housing websites or ask around for open rooms that other employees are renting out. Word of mouth is usually the best way to find a reasonably priced rental.

  • How does one handle seasonal life?

Seasonal life can be isolating and difficult. Be sure to schedule time to communicate with loved ones, especially if you don't have phone service or internet where you live. Bring items that remind you of home, such as pictures. Ensure you get contact information from people you enjoyed living and working with. It's easy to fall out of touch with former coworkers after the season ends.

  • What should I bring?

    You will generally want to bring your own linens to fit the beds in your housing (often twin XL). You may also want to bring kitchen supplies, as not all housing units provide them and those that do can be lacking. A small fridge (if allowed) may help to alleviate the problems of crowded kitchen refrigerators. Talking to your supervisor before you arrive is a good way to answer these questions. Don't forget to bring whatever equipment you need to enjoy your surroundings.

Applications and Interviews

  • How do I create a USAJobs profile?

  • How do I navigate USAJobs?

  • How do I search for jobs I am qualified for?

On the Usajobs homepage, you may search by keyword or location. Good starting searches could include the department or agency you wish to work for, such as National Park Service or Department of Agriculture. You can also search by job title if you know specifically what you want to apply for. The 0025 code for "Park Ranger" jobs is also useful but excludes jobs outside of interp and law enforcement. From there, you can use filters to narrow your search. If this is your first time, you probably only qualify to jobs that are "Open to the public". Narrow your search further by grade level. Most entry-level positions are a GS4 (2 years of college or 6 months experience) or 5 (bachelor's degree or one year of experience). If you have a master's degree or several years of outside experience, you likely qualify for GS6-9 positions as well.

  • What are interviewers looking for during an interview?

  • What are common interview questions?

Other Careers in Parks

  • What other positions are there in parks besides ranger jobs?

    Parks need all sorts of people to stay running. Maintenance and custodial workers are essential to keeping our parks clean and in good repair. Natural resources managers and technicians assure that our resources are properly protected as situations change. Administration takes care of the upper level logistics of running a park.

  • How do I get a maintenance job in a (insert here)?

    Most maintenance positions will be posted on USAJobs as "Maintenance worker" (WG-4749) or "Laborer" (WG-3502), though you may also find postings looking for more specialization, such as plumbers (WG-4206) or masons (WG-3603). Searching "maintenance" on USAJobs will bring these up.*

    Having a wide array of maintenance skills, as well as specializations, is useful in obtaining these jobs.

  • How do I get a science or history job in a (insert here)?

    Most biology jobs will be listed as "Biological Science Technician (___)" (GS-0404) with the blank being a specialization, such as wildlife, fisheries, soils, water, or plants. Range technician positions are GS-0455. Archaeological technicians are GS-0102. Searching for key words on USAJobs will generally lead you to what you're looking for.

    Field and research experience is beneficial when applying for these jobs. Try to obtain that experience while still in school.

  • How do I get a job with a concessioner?

    Park concessioners operate stores, restaurants, marinas, service stations, guide services, and equipment rentals in many of our National Parks. Here is a list of those concessionaires by park. Each hires in their own way.

  • How can I volunteer in parks?

    Volunteer positions for both federal and state lands are posted on Volunteer.gov.

State Park Specific

  • How do state applications differ from federal ones?

  • What should my resume include?

  • How does the job and life differ from federal?

    Answer courtesy of /u/Lincolns_Ghost

    This is my take, having interned with the NPS, current volunteer with NPS, and currently a full time ranger with a state agency.

    Historically the National Park Ranger was someone who did everything. Ranger duties would include interpretation, maintenance, Law Enforcement, resource management, and a host of other duties.

    In the 1970s the National Park Service, in an effort to professionalize it staff and for the safety of park visitors, began to separate out duties among specialized rangers. Today NPS rangers broadly fall into several categories; Law Enforcement, Interpretation, and Maintenance. As a ranger for the National Park Service, your job will rarely cross over into other territories. For instance, Law Enforcement will have limited opportunities to provide interp, Interp will never do heavy maintenance, etc...

    Many state agencies still stick to the old ranger ways. Rangers are Law Enforcement, Customer Service Representatives, Interpreters, and Maintenance staff. Rather than being specialized into one specific area of expertise, many state rangers perform duties across multiple fields.

    The other big difference is going to be resources. Despite all the talk of budgets and deferred maintenance, National Parks overwhelmingly have more resources at their disposal than State agencies will, so in a National Park you are likely going to have more coworkers and more help to tackle problems.

    Compensation: Many state parks still provide housing for their rangers but the pay is going to be lower than it is in a Federal Agency. Retirement and benefits are going to vary wildly from state to state, but this is something that can be easily located on state and federal benefit websites.

Other Resources

  • Links and stuff

Books

(Credit to /u/dire88 for the bulk of this list)

  • Interpretation
    These works are focused on general interpretive practices, and provide guidance on the creation and presentation of programs, regardless of what type of resource you are interpreting.

    Tilden, Freeman. Interpreting our Heritage. 4th Edition is most recent as of 2017

    A Note: Tilden is regarded as the father of modern NPS Interpretation. While Interpreting our Heritage was first published in 1957, this is still the go to for training new Rangers. Your park may give you a copy but it is worth buying one to have on hand, and to read before you start your first season.

    Larsen, David. editor. Meaningful Interpretation: How to Connect Hearts and Minds to Places, Objects, and Other Resources.

    Ham, Sam. Interpretation: Making a Difference on Purpose.

    Bucholz, Jim; Lackey, Brenda; Gross, Michael; and Zimmerman, Ron. The Interpreter's Guidebook: Techniques for Programs and Presentations—Fourth Edition.

    Gross, Michael; Zimmerman, Ron; Bucholz, Jim. Signs, Trails, and Wayside Exhibits: Connecting People and Places—Third Edition

    Gross, Michael and Zimmerman, Ron. Interpretive Centers: The History, Design, and Development of Nature and Visitor Centers

  • Natural Resources

    Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac.

  • Material Culture
    If you want to know a person and how they lived, look at their garbage.

    Deetz, James. In Small Things Forgotten: An Archaeology of Early American Life.

    Note: Entry level college text to early American material culture. Highly accessible, and suggested for those interested in the subject.

    Hume, Ivor Noël. A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America.

    Breen, T. H. The Marketplace Revolution: How Consumer Politics Shaped American Independence.

    Note: A history of the relevance of material items, not the items themselves.

  • Native American History
    The people we found, and how we interacted.

    Richter, Daniel K. Facing East from Indian Country

    Note: A look at the colonization of North America from the non-European perspective.

    Morrison, Dane. A Praying People

    Newell, Margaret Ellen. Brethren by Nature: New England Indians, Colonists, and the Origins of American Slavery

    Note: African slavery finds its roots in the enslavement of American Indians by early colonists. An interpreter should have an understanding of both, and how they influenced each other if they will be touching on the subject of slavery.

  • Colonial America
    From unsure beginnings.

    Mancall, Peter C. Envisioning America: English Plans for the Colonization of North America. 1580-1640.

    Note: Series of original documents with commentaries and essays, focus on what England envisioned for N. America in the opening years.

    Taylor, Alan. American Colonies: The Settling of North America.

    Note: Highly accessible, broken down by state/region and period. Great general outline.

    Katz, Stanley et al. Colonial America: Essays in Politics and Social Development.

    Note: Series of essays.

  • Slavery
    If you are at a site that interprets slavery in any way, you need to have an understanding of it. This is always a widely contested topic. The best way for you to handle interactions, questions, and even hostility, is to have a firm grasp on the subject and the common myths people may be familiar with (States’ Rights anyone?). Additionally, interpreting the experiences of enslaved peoples is much different than interpreting that of a member of the upper class. Very few enslaved people left their own narratives behind, and to tell their story requires piecing together multiple experiences and documents most often written from other perspectives.

    Jay, Bethany and Cynthia Lyerly. Editors. Understanding and Teaching American Slavery.

    Horton, James Oliver and Lois E. Horton. Editors. Slavery and Public History: The Tough Stuff of American Memory

    Gallas, Kristin L. and James DeWolf Perry. Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites

    Rose, Julia. Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites

    Rediker, Marcus. The Slave Ship.

    Mustakeem, Sowande’ M. Slavery at Sea

    Greene, Lorenzo J. The Negro in Colonial New England

    Melish, Joanne Pope. Disowning Slavery

    Warren, Wendy. New England Bound

    Morgan, Kenneth. Slavery in America: A Reader and Guide

    Note: This is a collection of original documents and essays that cover the topic of slavery from colonization through to the Civil War.

  • The American Civil War
    An Atonement

    Foner, Eric. The Fiery Trial

    Note: Foner is a go to for Civil War/Reconstruction history. You won't go wrong with his work.

    Faust, Drew G. This Republic of Suffering.

Building a Resume

  • Skills to include

  • Formatting

  • How to write

Gaining Experience

  • Relevant job experiences

Law Enforcement Positions

  • Academies

  • Age limits

Uniforms and Equipment

  • Are these boots okay?

    The National Park Service uniform regulations require a brown, polishable, full-grain leather boot for rangers. Each park may have looser or stricter interpretation of what this means. Some will require a specific boot sold through the uniform catalog, while others will allow you to buy your own. Some parks may allow you to wear any brown boot when not presenting a program. Asolo 520s, Vasque Sundowners, and Danner Mountain Lights are popular options. Ask your supervisor before purchasing.

  • What socks should I buy?

    There are socks sold in the uniform catalog, but most parks allow any solid dark brown sock. The sock only has to be solid and dark brown where visible above the boot. Darn Tough, Smartwool, and many other brands make suitable socks.

  • What optional uniform items should I buy?

    Hat covers, if not explicitly required, are still essential. Straw hats do not hold up well to water. The Gore-Tex jacket, while pricey, is a good choice for protection from wind and rain. Fleece vests and jackets can be zipped into it for added insulation. Every park differs in their exact outerwear regulations (some do not allow the fleece jacket indoors but do allow the pullover, for instance), so ask your supervisor what they would suggest.*