Park Ranger

THE JOB

PARK RANGERS help protect our park lands and cultural heritage in urban, 
rural and wilderness settings and provide for the safety of park visitors. 
Park rangers supervise national, state, county, municipal and special 
district parks, historical sites, nature reserves, and recreation areas.

Park Rangers prepare exhibits and informational material about the park. 
They develop recreational activities, conservation programs and lead tours 
and nature walks to help visitors learn about the natural, cultural, and 
historical significance of the area.  Rangers also help with conservation, 
habitat restoration, and ecology efforts.  They study wildlife behavior, and 
monitor air, plant and water quality to determine and reduce effects of 
pollution originating both outside and inside the park.

Duties vary from routine vehicle and visitor registration, to critical 
emergency response.  Searching for lost hikers, rescuing stranded mountain 
climbers, supervising fire-fighting crews and transporting persons injured 
in the park are typical emergency situations.  Rangers are also responsible 
for enforcing park policies and regulations.  Many Rangers are peace officers 
and carry firearms.  As peace officers, they are responsible for law 
enforcement within their jurisdiction. 

Some of the job duties usually associated with Park Rangers such as leading 
tours and nature walks are also performed by Park Ranger Assistants.  Rangers
may supervise these assistants as well as seasonal rangers and concession 
attendants.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions depend on geographical locations.  Park locations include 
forests, deserts, mountain ranges, and coastal regions.  A park's terrain may
vary considerably.  Rangers work outdoors in all types of weather.  Many work
in parks and historical sites found in urban areas.  In California over 77 
million visitors a year visit the nearly 300 sites in the California State 
Park System, including parks, historical units, wilderness areas, and 
reserves. California State Park Rangers could find themselves working in 
many varied environments including the splendor of the Hearst Castle, in the 
shadow of the sawmill at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma, 
or among the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Torrey Pines State Park 
near San Diego.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.  These figures represent 
the broad occupational group Compliance Officers and Enforcement Inspectors 
that includes Park Rangers.

Estimated number of workers in 1990               21,240
Estimated number of workers in 2005               22,610
Projected Growth Percentage 1990-2005                 7%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005      5,200

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

The State Park Cadet is the entry level classification for Park Ranger for 
the State of California.  The beginning salary for this position is $26,460. 
After successfully completing an 18 week extensive training program, the 
cadet is promoted to Park Ranger I at a salary of $27,564.  After two years 
the salary goes up to $32,820.  Rangers employed by the federal government 
start at $19,407 annually.  After one year federal salaries increase to 
$21,631 annually and after two years, to $24,038 annually.  Counties, 
municipalities, and special districts generally follow State salary rates. 
Rangers work 40 hours a week with frequent overtime and weekend work in 
summer when the use of the parks increases.  Rangers are compensated for 
extra hours worked.  Fringe benefits include paid vacations, holidays, sick 
leave, health insurance, and retirement benefits.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Some Park Ranger positions require a bachelor's degree.  A master's degree is
especially helpful for advancement into supervisory positions.  Other 
positions permit persons with appropriate work experience or a combination 
of work experience and college course work to qualify for job openings.  Some 
municipal and special district park systems have jobs as varied as gardener 
and "park patrol specialist" that could possibly lead to a Park Ranger 
position.  However, almost all recently hired Park Rangers possess a 
bachelor's degree.  College degrees in park and recreation management, 
business or public administration, or the natural sciences are preferred. 
Completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified police 
academy course could be advantageous for job seekers applying to agencies 
that require Rangers to have peace officer status.

Personal attributes helpful in the Park Ranger career field include 
interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, and the ability to 
think clearly -- especially in emergency situations.


ADVANCEMENT

Promotion to supervisory positions such as Federal District Ranger or State 
Park Manager requires additional experience and related graduate level 
courses.  These positions usually require Rangers to spend more time indoors 
preparing reports, budgets and schedules.  They often train and supervise 
other park personnel.  Advancement is based on managerial and public 
relations skills, as well as experience and successful completion of written 
promotional examinations.  Counties, municipalities, and special districts 
use similar systems but may not always use written tests as a part of the 
procedure.


FINDING THE JOB

Persons thinking about a career as Park Ranger should consider applying for 
part-time or seasonal work with national, State, or county parks.  Although 
available work is usually limited to toll collection, maintenance or 
unskilled labor positions, these jobs provide an opportunity to determine 
the suitability of a career choice, make contacts in the field, and actually 
begin the professional path to Ranger.  Volunteer positions are also 
frequently available and provide similar opportunities.

Job seekers should apply at county, city and special park district personnel 
offices and at college placement offices.  For State positions, applicants 
should contact the California State Personnel Board; for federal Park 
Service jobs, the Western Regional Office of the National Park Service in 
San Francisco.  Applicants who meet the minimum requirements and who pass the
required tests are placed on eligibility lists.  Openings are filled from 
these lists.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Personnel Office
National Park Service
Western Regional Office
600 Harrison Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA  94107
(415) 744-3888

Personnel Office
California Department of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 2390,
Sacramento, CA  95811
(916) 653-4788

Personnel and Recruitment
County of Los Angeles
Department of Parks and Recreation
433 South Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles CA  90020
(213) 738-2995

County of Sacramento
Department of Parks and Recreation
4040 Bradshaw Road
Sacramento, CA  95827
(916) 366-2072


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Foresters                        No. 202
Recreation Leaders               No. 357
Conservation Workers             No. 447
Fish and Game Wardens            No. 448


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Park Ranger                                                      169.167-042

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Compliance Officers and Enforcement Inspector except Construction.   219110


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department, 
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group, 
         (916) 262-2162.