Nature of the Work

Park rangers teach people to respect the delicate natural balance of our national and state parks and forests. They are employed by the National Park Service, which is an agency of the U.S. federal government, and by state agencies. Rangers work throughout the country preserving the natural environment for future generations. They protect these areas by enforcing park rules and regulations, preventing forest fires, helping to maintain an ecological balance, and seeing that visitors plan campsites wisely. Park rangers are skilled campers with a great deal of knowledge about botany and wildlife. Perhaps the greatest danger to our parks is the danger of overuse: rangers watch and regulate the number of visitors to parks. They also provide information regarding park use and points of interest, issue fire permits, and collect fees.

In addition to protecting natural resources, park rangers protect people. They may rescue a rock climber who has fallen or chase away a bear that is threatening campers. In addition, rangers act as educators by teaching campers how to use camping equipment, taking visitors on nature walks, setting up exhibits, and lecturing on historic topics. Park rangers also help to train new rangers.

Some rangers specialize in a certain type of patrol. There are backcountry rangers, who load up their mules with supplies and spend weeks at a time in isolated, undeveloped areas checking on hikers and watching for trails that need repairing. Snow rangers patrol their area on skis and are skilled in first aid, which includes applying splints to injured skiers. Some rangers make their rounds by boat or canoe. Many rangers are assisted by park aides.

Law enforcement is among the many duties of a park ranger. Some national park rangers carry guns. Park rangers sometimes recover stolen cars or quiet rowdy visitors. They are also in charge of investigating any suspected illegal activity committed in national parks.

In this video, you'll see how urban park ranger Sarah Aucoin tries to educate people in New York City about nature, and give them a sense of connection to their environment.

Work Environment

Most rangers work outdoors in all kinds of weather, and their work is physically strenuous. They generally work long hours during the summer and somewhat shorter hours during the winter. Rangers in the National Park Service may have to spend time alone in isolated areas. They can expect to be assigned to several different parts of the country during their careers and receive no assurance that they will remain in a particular area. Despite these obstacles, most park rangers derive a great deal of satisfaction from their work.

Education and Training

Park rangers are usually required to have a bachelor's degree; however, high school graduates are sometimes eligible for ranger jobs after three years of progressively responsible experience in conservation work or park operations. Interested individuals should study botany, zoology, geology, and ecology in college. Other useful subjects include park management, forestry, and the social sciences. Candidates with master's degrees in these fields often have an advantage over other applicants who are seeking jobs as park rangers.

Other Qualifications

Other requirements for park rangers include physical strength, good health, and good eyesight. Rangers should enjoy the outdoors and working with people. They should also be creative, resourceful, responsible, and energetic.

On the Job

• Provide visitor services by explaining regulations; answering visitor requests, needs and complaints; and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
• Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites or other attractions.
• Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
• Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.
• Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
• Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
• Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members.
• Perform routine maintenance on park structures.
• Prepare brochures and write newspaper articles.
• Construct historical, scientific, and nature visitor-center displays.
• Research stories regarding the area´s natural history or environment.
• Interview specialists in desired fields to obtain and develop data for park information programs.
• Compile and maintain official park photographic and information files.
• Take photographs and motion pictures for use in lectures and publications and to develop displays.
• Survey park to determine forest conditions and distribution and abundance of fauna and flora.
• Plan and develop audiovisual devices for public programs.

Source: BLS

Companies That Hire Park Rangers

• National Park Service
• South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreations, and Tourism
• Texas Parks and Wildlife

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Additional Information

• American Forests: www.amercianforests.org
• Association of National Park Rangers: www.anpr.org
• National Park Service: www.nps.gov
• National Recreation and Park Association: www.nrpa.org

Sources

• O*Net Online. (2009). National Center for O*Net Development. Retrieved May 1, 2009, from http://online.onetcenter.org/
• Net Industries. 2009. Park Ranger Job Description, Career as a Park Ranger, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job. Retrieved October 2, 2009, from http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/549/Park-Ranger.html
• Voice Of America. (2009, August 26). Urban Naturalist Leads Education Efforts in New York City Parks. Retrieved December 4, 2009, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyVgU7DK6Yw
• South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. (2009). South Carolina Parks—Ranger Profile. Retrieved October 5, 2009, from http://southcarolinaparks.com/stewardship-services/ranger_profile.aspx

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