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Assistant Forest Ranger Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Forest Ranger information

See Texas salary details

$9

$19

$37

How much do assistant forest ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant forest ranger in Texas is $19.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.09 and $21.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant forest ranger?

Assistant Forest Rangers are entry-level professionals who support the management and protection of forests, parks, and natural resources. Their responsibilities often include assisting in enforcing regulations, maintaining trails and facilities, educating the public, and supporting conservation efforts. They work under the supervision of senior forest rangers and may also help with fire prevention, wildlife monitoring, and emergency response. This role is essential for maintaining the health and safety of public lands and ensuring that natural habitats are preserved for future generations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant forest ranger, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Forest Ranger, you need knowledge of forestry management, environmental science, and wildlife conservation, often supported by a relevant degree or field experience. Familiarity with GIS software, GPS devices, and basic firefighting or first aid certifications are typically required. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help in educating the public, coordinating with agencies, and responding to emergencies. These competencies ensure effective stewardship of natural resources and public safety in diverse outdoor environments.

What are some common challenges assistant forest rangers face during their fieldwork?

Assistant Forest Rangers often work in remote, outdoor environments where weather conditions and terrain can be unpredictable. They may face challenges such as navigating difficult landscapes, responding to emergencies like wildfires or injured hikers, and managing encounters with wildlife. Additionally, balancing conservation efforts with public access and recreation requires clear communication and problem-solving skills. Teamwork and adaptability are essential, as rangers regularly collaborate with colleagues, local communities, and other agencies.

What is the difference between Assistant Forest Ranger vs Forest Guard?

AspectAssistant Forest RangerForest Guard
Required CredentialsDiploma or degree in forestry or related fieldSecondary education or equivalent, sometimes with basic forestry training
Work EnvironmentFieldwork in forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation projectsPatrolling forests, preventing illegal activities, and assisting in conservation efforts
Employer & IndustryGovernment forestry departments, wildlife agenciesForest departments, forest protection agencies
Common Search & ComparisonAssistant Forest Ranger vs Forest Guard

The Assistant Forest Ranger typically holds a higher qualification and performs supervisory and administrative duties in forestry and wildlife conservation. In contrast, the Forest Guard primarily focuses on patrolling and protecting forest areas. Both roles are essential for forest management but differ in responsibilities and required credentials.

What are the most commonly searched types of Forest Ranger jobs in Texas?

The most popular types of Forest Ranger jobs in Texas are:

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Forest Ranger jobs in Texas?

For Assistant Forest Ranger jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Assistant Forest Ranger jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Assistant Forest Ranger jobs in Texas are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for Assistant Forest Ranger jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Assistant Forest Ranger job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Forest Ranger job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,617 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Supervisory Park Ranger (I)

Salt Flat, TX โ€ข On-site

Contact Us - National Parks of New York Harbor (U.S. National Park Service)

$89K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 20 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Perform duties related to park management, protection, and conservation within Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

  • Work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work as required.

  • Carry out responsibilities related to law enforcement, recreation management, or park-related work as part of the position.


Job description

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Salt Flat, Texas.

You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.


Qualifications:All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/08/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position, you must meet the Specialized Experience defined below.
GS-12
Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Experience may
have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park-related work. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Park guide or tour leader
- Law enforcement or investigative work
- Archeological or historical preservation research work
- Forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area
- Management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:This position does not allow substituting education for experience.Employment Type: OTHER