Isle Royale Forums

I've always wanted to become a Park Ranger. Does anyone know what steps you need to take, what you will need to take in college?

First, what kind of park ranger do you want to be? There are basically two kinds; an interpretive ranger, and a law enforcement officer or LEO. Interpretive rangers do things like staff the visitors center, lead informational hikes and meetings, work in the camp grounds and other areas that "get information to visitors." LEOs enforce the rules and regulations of the park. LEO's carry a gun, interpretive rangers do not.

If you want to be an interpretive ranger you need to go to school that has a major in "Parks and Recreation" or something similar. To become a LEO, you would need a "Criminal Justice" or similar background. A lot of the LEOs I have met are retired police officers that enjoy the outdoors and need something to do in their retirement.

You can have education, experience, or a combo. If you want to get a better idea of whether you would really like this as a career, and get some experience, consider the VIP (Volunteers in Parks) program http://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm

Here's a typical set of requirements for a GS-5 Interpretive Ranger:

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate that you possess either the specialized experience or the education as described below.

For the GS-05 grade level

EXPERIENCE: You must show one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience for this position include, but are not limited to, the following: park guide or tour leader, work in a park, recreation or conservation area, environmental education, history and/or cultural resources education, and natural sciences education. Work will include independent research and presentation.

OR

EDUCATION: You must possess a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work. One year of full time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.

OR

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience regardless of whether compensation was received or whether the experience was gained in a part-time or full-time occupation. Full-time work is generally considered 40 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position, the starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the number of hours scheduled to work per week.

I would like to be a Archeologist/Historian Ranger that gives tours about the parks history and sights. but a law enforcement ranger would be nice but unlikely.