So, I'm a college student that had my job offer as a student trainee rescinded from the hiring freeze. Do you guys think it would be possible to get a job this summer if the freeze gets lifted or would it be better to just start looking for other jobs at the state level, etc.? I'd be fine working even if I don't get hired until later in the season but unfortunately, I probably wouldn't qualify for the pathways program since I'll have to go back to school in August.

I accepted the one and only fee tech position for which I interviewed in December, one of many to which I applied in September. I've accepted the job on usajobs and have done fingerprinting. I received an offer to interview at another park this week. What would happen if I were offered this new position and accepted it? Would they see I've already offered a position and take back the offer? Could the job offer even go through with me already having accepted the first offer? Do I need to first back out of the first offer or am I overthinking this?

Also, does anyone have any idea who long to hold out hope of getting an interview for a temp fee tech or ranger position from the application period that was open in Sept/ Oct?

Thanks.

Hello! I am a current term employee with 1+yr in my current position. My term is NTE 2 yr so it is time to look for a new gig. I don't qualify for land management hiring authority yet (5 months to go). Someone at my park told me that I can qualify for Internal to agency positions. Does anyone have any insight on this?? The USA jobs website has not been helpful, haha.

Ah yes, the classic. A blizzard is raging, the roads are closed, and yet someone asks if the trail is "still open." Of course, yes, because the snow has nothing on our pristine, mythical trails of sunshine and rainbows. You want to “hike” in a snow globe? Sure, buddy. Let’s do that. Stay safe, though. 😅 #NPSRangerLife

Hi I am 16m and I want to get Into the nps I want to know how the whole thing works the things I want to do are

1. Keep all the paths usable for everyone
2. Keep track of the wildlife
3. Help out with anything wildlife related

And a few more questions 4. How do you even start working with them what kind of requirements are there 5. I want to get into college just for the nps so what will I need for that 6. How do different jobs work

What’s the best way to store the hats at home? My husband and I are about to start with NPS and have been told we have to have both hats. We live in an RV and don’t have much room but they’re expensive and we want to take care of them. I was thinking something like this? But if we have two each, that’s a lot of space.

How is the academy wise, what to expect while training. Is it very hard curriculum?

I’m currently active duty military and close to getting out and interested in environmental jobs because I’ve always loved the outdoors and backpacking. Some of my friends have been recommending me a job as a park ranger. I wanna do something that involves working outside and with animals but I don’t have a degree which seems is a big factor but not a requirement for a park ranger position, I was wondering if it’s possible to get a permanent or seasonal job that doesn’t require a degree but could help with becoming a park ranger in the future?

I start work as a GS-5 interpretive ranger Jan. 12th, with a workday including inauguration day. How crazy (or not) will it be? Is it being overhyped or should I be prepared for something day of? Overall I'm prepared for this job to be busier than ones one done in the past, but I'm not sure if I should prep for anything more unique than that

I am thinking of accepting a job with NPS but am concerned Trump may lay off a lot of federal workers. I have also seen a lot of hiring happening now- is there talk about what to expect or if a hiring freeze is likely after he takes office?

What are some options for plant courses from an accredited University that is entirely online? Something like dendrology.

Hop into the Park Ranger Discord!

Discuss Ranger activities, share stories and pictures or learn more about the profession!

https://discord.gg/qhkXgRv2ZE

Hi there! I'm a 20 year old female looking for any insight on how I could work as a park ranger or anything to do with NPS. I've done seasonal work for Xanterra for 2 years now and I really enjoy being out in national parks and can see myself living and working in one for a career. I don't go to college right now but environmental studies and such interest me a lot and would like to start going if I could get a job working for NPS. USAJobs is very confusing and I'm not sure what job opportunities there are for people without college credits and or past military/police experience. I would just like some thoughts on what I could do for a job with NPS without those certain things. Also, if you have to do a volunteer/internship first and if they pay?

So I’m on my way out of the Army and am going to return to school. At the moment I don’t have any completed degrees, but will be going into biology/ecology.

I’m curious if anybody knows of any certifications or licenses that would be useful for somebody interested in any forestry or environmental science organization (It doesn’t even need to NPS either, it could be BLM or any other adjacent organization). The only caveat is that they can’t have any education requirements higher than high school. Any advice would be appreciated, especially from somebody who is already employed in this kind of area.

I'm currently a high school senior. Interested in joining the NPS. What college degrees you would suggest? What college would you suggest?

Is it smart to become a park ranger? I wanna be a paramedic but don’t want to work in a city and I love the outdoors especially national parks, anyone got recommendations cause I’m reading wild rescues by Kevin grange and it sounds like what I want to do, search n rescue medical trauma and eventually become a jack of all trades and also do I need to go into college or would military work too? And how do I apply or become an ems park ranger?

That is all.

I (19f) am almost done with my architecture associates. I realized being a park ranger is probably way up more my ally. I do have the option of spending some extra time in school to get another associates in science. I can't afford University at this point. I also plan on going through a ranger law enforcement program. I'm working towards an environmental education certification to add to my resume. Will not have a BA hold me back? Should I get a science associates? Any advice appreciated. I'm in North Carolina if that helps.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5995?s=1&r=8

Please contact your member of the House of Representatives and ask them to cosponsor HR 5995 - the Federal Retirement Fairness Act.

This feels like a long shot, but I've got to ask. I'm seeking any opportunity to learn first-hand what it's actually like to be a ranger, and was wondering if any opportunities exist (official or unofficial) to shadow folks working in the parks. That, or some kind of short-term volunteer stint that might accomplish the same sort of exposure.

I'm currently a few years into a career in Public Relations and don't really see myself continuing on this path. I've always been interested in the possibility of working for the NPS - I tell people it's my retirement plan. It's starting to feel increasingly silly to put that dream off while I have a clear interest in it, but I'm hesitant to take a bold leap into the unkown. I can see how my working experiences and personal interests would directly plug into working in a park, but doing so would mean major changes in location and East Coast, major city lifestyle.

In May I will be within relatively close proximity to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, or Canyonlands, and would be willing to extend that trip for up to a week for any opportunity to shadow/volunteer/help alleviate short staffing. Heck, I'd make anything in those surrounding states work (WY, MT, UT, CO, OR, WA). Any way to get a glimpse into what it's all about and gauge the reality of it.

I'm a pretty competent person and could pitch in all sorts of ways. Totally willing to "work" full days to get a real sense of it.

Anyone know of programs to look into or people to speak with? Any leads or introductions would be greatly appreciated.

I realize a week is a short amount of time, but maybe someone out there can empathize with being curious about another career path while working another full-time job.

I was looking into NPSpecies during my position with NPS last summer and the park unit I was at hadn't had an update in around 7 years. Looking at other units many don't have any listed (such as history focused units) or also aren't up to date.

The reason I ask is that I wanted to create a map of the data from NPSpecies but I'm wondering if I should bother making it update automatically or manually, especially if the data only gets a few new entries each year

"Attention: When you see "Applicants have not been referred to the hiring manager at this time for position GS-0025-5/7" below, this means that hiring managers haven't requested a certificate of eligible for that particular location at this time. Once we get a request for those location(s), you will be notified."

The Hell does thus even mean? Should I move on assuming I won't be refered or are they just saying wait a little longer?

Howdy all. Does anyone know if the ‘in effigy’ documentary from the common learning portal is publicly available anywhere? Not currently working as a fed so I no longer have access to the CLP, but really want to be able to share the film with folks. Thanks!

I graduated from MTU in the spring of 2022, and since then I have wanted nothing more than to move back to Houghton. I love backpacking and honestly think that working on Isle Royale would be a perfect job for me. I've actually checked the USA jobs website occasionally over the past few years, and I've never seen any listings open there. Do you just have to know someone to get in?

Hi, a woman in the campground of the park I work at brought in a kitten she found by the side of the road and was wondering if any of the rangers wanted it, or knew someone who would treat it well.

We've been joking about getting a cat for the Vistor Center because we have a big mouse problem. The superintendent is all for it except that the VC is a federal building.

Does anyone have any idea how we can "hire" the cat and have it live in our VC?

Pretty straight forward with the title, but I have been getting an increasing drive to work at National Parks, specifically as a park ranger. My hang up is that I don't have any sort of nature based job experience; most of my work experience is in the food service and retail industries and my degree is in the arts. I'm kind of worried I need to go back to school for different degree before I can even be considered for a job like that.

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Any advice for someone in my position? Tips for navigating the application/hiring process? Anything helps at this point really.

Anyone else applying, and applying, and applying, and....only to hear nothing back? If another week goes by, I can't even accept one if I am offered a position because I won't have to make the proper arrangements. NPS WHERE ARE YOU?

Have any of you ever gone on a detail or have done a temp position? What for? Did it help you move up? Did you enjoy it?

I’m going to Grand Teton National Park in September, but I’m flying into Bozeman and have to go through Yellowstone the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. I will be using the west entrance to the park with a prepaid pass. What time should I be at the gate in the morning to avoid more than a 20 minute lineup to enter? Is 6:30 or 7 am sufficient or should I be there even earlier? Thanks!