I have an opportunity to work as a park ranger assistant at Wallowa lake sp and it would be a dream come true to live and work in a place the beautiful but they told me there is no housing available. I'm pretty frustrated with this because there aren't any other options in the area since it is such a small town and they aren't offering any solutions. I asked if I could just stay at the campground but for some reason employees are not allowed to do that. I'm not sure how they expect anyone to accept this position when they don't have anywhere to live and aren't allowed to camp nearby. Makes no sense to me and I don't know why they don't have housing options for the employees they need. So I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and what they think I should do. I really don't want to decline it but it seems likes there's not any other options.

May the forth...com ing month be salubrious to your ranger career goals.

Ask your ranger questions in this thread.

I come from a corporate background, trying to break into the field.

I have an interview for a Park Ranger Aide position at City Hall. What would be considered appropriate or inappropriate dress?

Thanks in advance 🙏

Quick question after a visit to Waco Mammoth site

I went on a tour yesterday with my children at the Waco Mammoth site and it was very cool and we really enjoyed it. I truly appreciated the engagement and the teaching that went on and our park rangers and tour guides were all amazing. We are not religious and try to keep our kids grounded in reality and science, so it was all pretty standard for us.

What happens on a tour like that if you end up with anti-evolution questions with people who argue about science or carbon dating or what have you? Is there a procedure or a canned response for dealing with any of those things when they happen?

Just curious as to the real experiences of park rangers and tour guides when dealing with some of these issues. Thanks. Not specific to the Waco dig site, as I'm sure it's a problem in other places as well.

I've read about the direct to FLETC program a few times and I was curious if that program is still going, likely to continue for the next 3-5 years, and was curious about protection ranger jobs at NPS sites that aren't national parks? Do NPS sites have year round LE positions? I am most interested in the south eastern US or south central US.

When direct to FLETC positions are posted on USA jobs how are they identified vs other postings which require type I certification already? Does it say pretty clearly that it is a direct to FLETC posting?

Also, I currently work as a conservation officer (game warden) on the state level. Will this help or hurt my prospects to be a LE ranger? Additional info, I'm 29 currently, BA in history, veteran with 30% disability and a campaign ribbon, and I did one season of WFF with the BLM between my Army time and starting my current LE job. This is something I would like to do in the future( next three years or so ) but I want to know if I will be competitive and if it's worth investing focus into. Aside from being a vet I don't meet any other diversity categories. I also have a wife with a child on the way so I am hesitant to go the seasonal route.

Are they any other things I can start doing now to be a more competitive applicant when the time comes? I'm also interested in US Forest Service LE positions.

Apologies if this is too similar to other questions. It is meant to be direct to FLETC specific.

I will be a Tennessee State Park SIR for the first time this summer! This means I will be training at Pickett SP in a couple of weeks. Does anybody who has does this training have any helpful advice?!

Also will be taking a drug test for this position?

I’m so excited!

I read that one of the requirements for a park ranger position in California is 20/20 corrected vision AND 20/40 uncorrected vision. Does this mean that in order to become a park ranger in California, I cannot wear glasses / contacts? I was looking into LASIK surgery and its about 4k per eye and this, plus a six month waiting period, basically bars me from applying. Do I have to leave california to become a park ranger since I dont meet these strict qualifications?

Anyone have any excoerince with flagstaffs PRLEA program I’m an 11B finishing my contract and looking for the next step to a LEO career any experience, advice

I’m getting ready for my first season at Sequoia. I’m a big planner so not quite knowing what I’m getting into is a little unnerving. I’m bringing probably too many clothes, and all my camping/hiking gear. I’m gonna bring some food for the first night and assess the kitchen and bedding situation once I arrive. Do I bring my mountain bike to Sequoia?

Any tips are appreciated, thanks!!

This question is for other rec techs or people who may have an answer. But I was curious if rec techs are ever authorized to carry firearms? I know some of the non LE wilderness rangers in the NPS are authorized (and required) too, so I was curious if rec techs are able to as well? I know it’s a weird question lol, I’m not looking to be gun toting, I’m just genuinely curious.

Did anyone go to a PRLEA? If so, how was your experience?

Hello everyone. I hit 20 years a couple months ago and will be retiring in about two years. I am stationed overseas right now and am heavily considering either Forest Service, NPS, and BLM.

I prefer the Forest Service but am open to the other two. I would like a non-LEO ranger or recreational job. I am open to other jobs too such as maintenance, etc.

Are there any tips anyone would offer to prepare for that career move? With me being overseas, volunteering isnt possible. I will have my Bachelors next year in Organizational Leadership. My background is mostly in equipment maintenance and calibration with a few years of facility management as well. Thanks for any advice!

Is it illegal to post pictures of housing? I’m starting a seasonal position soon and have been trying to find absolutely anything about the housing at the park and have not been able to find a single picture. Genuinely was just looking for an idea of what I’m getting myself into, even if it’s just external but alas I’m left clueless

edit: Assateague Island

Many of us become park rangers following the career advice of "follow your passion" and "do what you love." I'm here to tell you that advice is often unhelpful.

Making your passion into a career is an easy way to destroy your love for it. It's hard for me to enjoy parks now. I've had coworkers in the NPS who avoid recreating in the national parks because it reminds them too much of work. Once the thing you love becomes your way of making money, it's hard to separate your work from your fun.

(I don't think this is unique to the park ranger field. I have many friends who are musicians, both professionals and amateurs, and the ones who enjoy music the most are not the ones who do it as a job.)

Further, the realities of working in a park ranger job will limit your ability to enjoy the outdoors. Weekend and evening shifts prevent you from going outside with your friends who work during regular business hours. The low pay limits the places that you can afford to travel to. And working outside in the elements often makes people want to stay inside during their time off.

Finally, following your passion at all costs may lead you to overlook the downsides to your career choices. Working for the NPS, in general, has many: low wages, rampant harassment and bad behavior, poor safety culture, the need to move across the country to move up, and low employee satisfaction ratings--among the worst of all federal agencies.

Now, I don't want to demean the park ranger career: it is a meaningful, dignified job for many people. But I encourage those considering this career to weight the pros and cons, and think carefully about what they really want from work. At the end of the day, a park ranger career is not a path to spiritual fulfillment--it's just a job. And no job will ever love you back.

So I am in the process of finishing my AA and going to apply next year for the academy. I will be going to butte college and am wondering what the academy is going to be like. I do not have any prior military or law enforcement experience but I know some people going in don’t have experience either. Is there any tips or suggestions of what I should be doing such as getting familiar with firearms, taking up martial arts, or anything in that nature that this sub thinks might help me through the academy? Thanks guys

I just started with the VA state parks and will need to get some pants and boots. Anyone have recommendations for a good pair of each? Thanks!

I have a strong interest in becoming involved in Law Enforcement through the NPS or other similar agencies. I'm trying to develop a roadmap for myself, and here is what I have come up with:

• You need sponsored by an agency before you can attend FLETC
• PRLEA is great for a resumee, but you will still attend FLETC afterwards
• LE training is mainly geared towards law enforcement roles (obviously)
• There are other agencies with similar roles that are less competitive which would be good for gaining LE and patrolling experience

As of right now, I am still trying to do more research and apply to more positions on usajobs. The most I have going for me is I do have about 6 years experience working in a tour guide setting in a National Park, I have CPR / AED / First Aid certification, and am already an employee at a federal agency (USPS). On the downside I did not go to college. I have a high school diploma and a lousy trade school cert for computer engineering.

I realize that some or most of the information in this post is inaccurate, and I am seeking a little guidance or advice as far as first steps or what I still need to do. Working in the outdoors as a career is a dream for me and I am more than willing to make sacrifices for it. I have close friends in law enforcement in the federal level and they tell me I would love it, but if there are other routes outside of law enforcement I am completely open to those as well.

TL;DR I have plenty experience but little education, how do I get in?

I may be the only one here in this predicament but I live with my husband in park housing, way out in the middle of nowhere. We’re planning on staying at least five years. It’s a dream for me- I’m a homebody, love the woods, and I love how I use my spare time (gardening, exploring, photography, foraging, hiking, indoor hobbies, etc), but I’m currently not working and want to feel more productive and want to have a better answer for people when they ask what I do all day lol. I want to volunteer because the park could always use extra hands, and I think it would be useful for me to learn more bushcraft skills to teach to children who visit our ELC. What are my fellow park ranger wives who live in housing doing with their time?

Was supposed to start a seasonal job in 3 weeks but just got a call to work another one in the Tetons which seems way more bad ass. Would I be black listing myself if I tell the original job I got something better with that short of notice? Thank you

Hi there, I have a few questions specific to the Big Meadows housing. What's the overall condition of the places? Age, upkeep, furniture? How about internet? Is there anything you would really recommend someone to bring for moving in for a while?

Thank y'all for any and all help.

I'm sorry, I have to rant for a second. I need to get this off my chest lol and yes, this is a T.A account.

Me messaging a certain person in charge of a certain department, what their job code for purchasing is, since once my GPC comes in, I'll be purchasing supplies for them since I do repair work for their department. Time goes by, no response. So, I send it AGAIN. Heyyyyyy Can I get the job code so I can get to purchasing when my card comes in?? Time goes by and no response.

I messaged them a while back saying, "hey, we need more drainpipes because there are some that are rusting and wearing out and leaking, can you go into town and purchase them, or let me know what the JOB CODE is so I can create an AD700 and get them? No response. I wait a little while, send another email "Hey, by chance do you have any update for the drainpipes or the AD700?" NO RESPONSE.

So, I say fuck it. I enjoy fixing things; I enjoy helping other departments out when needed because most people here don't really go around fixing shit or helping other departments out in this way. But if I try contacting you twice with no avail, then that's it. Shit can deteriorate and not get fixed because we don't have the parts for them. I take time out of my day and my site to order supplies, contact suppliers and distributors to get quotes and ensure the parts we get are correct for other departments and the least you can do is take 20 minutes out of your 8 hours and at least give me a "Let me get back to you on this" or "Here's the JC" or "I have to get _____ first". What's disrespectful is ignoring the emails someone is sending you.

If you're busy too, which I absolutely have no doubt they are, guess how much more work it would be if I said, "lol, no you're going to create the AD700's, you're going to call these manufacturers, distributors, local contacts and order the supplies and then pick them up yourself, you're going to go to your utilities and your part that you need and ensure the part is correct and the proper sizing, and only then, when it comes in, will I take part in it and fix the issue". Imagine that and believe me, it won't get fixed because that'll add hours of extra work which is so much more than a 5–10-minute email response. If I'm doing that for you, you at least should respond and give me a little bit of your time.

Then get this. They send an email out pretty much asking if I have had my gov't purchase card yet and "getting approval in the spreadsheet for facilities with a jobcode needs to be done before ordering.
Could someone discuss with me?". You mean the multiple emails I've been sending trying to get a fricken job code from you with no response? And now you're asking if someone can discuss this with you?? You know the funny thing is? I responded to their message and guess what? No response! haha

Listen, it's really NOT my job to repair issues in your department. My area of work is actually somewhere else, but since no one else is willing to take on the responsibility of fixing anything there, I've stepped up for years fixing utilities and windows and motors and all that stuff. The LEAST you can do is at least respond to the emails since you're literally at your desk the entire day doing administrative work. I know you see the emails and teams messages I send you.

And yes, of course I'm always respectful and professional in my emails. I am never demeaning and condensending. Right now I'm just frustrated and a little hot headed which is why I needed to vent and hopefully this doesn't get removed because of it.

Does getting certifications (for lack of a better word) for things other than just patrol (red card, EMS, SETT, SAR, K-9, etc.) as an NPS LEO give you more pay since you’re doing theoretically more work? Or do people just get those certifications because they’re passionate about it. Just curious.

Edit: this includes becoming cross-trained as a firefighter/EMT etc.

I’m currently an auto tech but I’ve seen my local park rangers are hiring. I’ve been thinking of a career change for a while and think I’d like this job. I have former experience working for a city as a seasonal employee and volunteering for events at a local fire station. Do you actually enjoy the job or is it just a paycheck?

So to start, I’m a ranger at a state park in southeast United States. I won’t say which one on here because I fear retaliation from the higher ups. The rangers in this states are paid just enough to get by, have to do everything they can just to have form of savings. Some rangers have houses on the park grounds, but depending on where you live, you may consider in poverty line whether you have housing or not. But to get to meat of my question, I want to unionize the park system in my state, but I don’t know where to start. Does anyone on this subreddit know or have experience with unionizing there park system? Anything advice will be appreciated.

I had an interview on Tuesday for a temporary BLM position that seemed 100% ready to start the hiring process, but I'd have to move to accept it. BLM wants to make their decision and start hiring today (Friday) or early next week.

I had an interview Thursday for a permanent NPS position that I would supremely prefer because it's permanent and I wouldn't have to move to accept it, but the interviewer didn't give me a vibe that they were 100% ready to start hiring me. NPS said they would make their decision at the end of next week.

BLM wanted a definite yes or no from me by today (Friday), but I don't feel like I can give them one: if I say no, and I don't get the NPS job, I'm screwed; if I say yes, and I do get the NPS job, I'd have to rescind my acceptance at BLM, and I don't want to do that because it feels rude and might hurt my chances at getting another job in the future. Is it okay to have to back out?

Is it better to just say, "Sorry, I can't give you a definite answer right now but I would be able to by this time next week" ? Should I just say no?

These are the only interviews I've gotten after 50ish applications.

I've applied to nearly every GS-5, GS-7, and GS-9 permanent position that comes out and is open to the public, but it seems like only ACE is interested in interviewing me. Just curious if it's due to higher competition or if anyone could offer some insights.

Some background: -I am currently working as a park manager for my state DNR. I've been in this role for ~6mo. -I worked as a park assistant manager for 1.5 years. -I previously worked as a GS-5 seasonal interp ranger for the BLM in Montana. (2022 summer) -I have a masters in Natural Resource Management from UGA.

I want to return back to the federal level and serve my career there. I had originally planned to take a career seasonal position with ACE after my season with BLM but was unable to find housing in the area I was offered in, and was ultimately forced to decline because of that. Any tips or advice for someone looking to break back into Federal?