ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

District Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsGovernment JobsParks And Recreation JobsPark Ranger JobsDistrict Ranger Jobs

District Ranger information

See salary details

$12

$20

$39

How much do district ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for district ranger in the United States is $20.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $21.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a district ranger?

District Rangers are management professionals in the U.S. Forest Service responsible for overseeing the operations of a specific ranger district within a national forest. They manage a variety of programs, including recreation, fire management, wildlife conservation, and timber harvesting. District Rangers coordinate with staff, local communities, and partner organizations to ensure the sustainable use and protection of forest resources. Their work involves both field operations and administrative duties to balance public access with environmental stewardship.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a district ranger?

To thrive as a District Ranger, you need expertise in natural resource management, supervisory experience, and typically a degree in forestry, environmental science, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping, incident management systems, and federal land management regulations is crucial. Exceptional leadership, conflict resolution, and public communication skills help build strong teams and engage with diverse stakeholders. These abilities are vital for effectively managing public lands, ensuring resource conservation, and balancing multiple land uses.

What are some common challenges district rangers face when managing large, diverse forest areas?

District Rangers often encounter challenges balancing multiple land uses, such as recreation, conservation, and resource extraction, while ensuring compliance with federal regulations. They must coordinate with a variety of stakeholders, including local communities, tribal representatives, and other agencies, which requires strong communication and negotiation skills. Additionally, responding to emergencies like wildfires or natural disasters can require quick decision-making and effective team leadership. Successfully navigating these challenges is key to maintaining healthy and sustainable forest ecosystems.

What is the difference between District Ranger vs Forest Technician?

AspectDistrict RangerForest Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in forestry, environmental science, or related field; often requires experience in forest managementAssociate's or bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or related field; entry-level certifications may be preferred
Work EnvironmentField and administrative settings within national forests; overseeing forest management activitiesPrimarily fieldwork assisting with forest surveys, data collection, and maintenance tasks
Employer & Industry UsageU.S. Forest Service and similar agencies; managing public landsU.S. Forest Service, state agencies, and environmental organizations; supporting forest management projects

The main difference between a District Ranger and a Forest Technician lies in their responsibilities and experience levels. District Rangers hold leadership roles with administrative and management duties, requiring higher education and experience. Forest Technicians typically support fieldwork and data collection, often with less formal education. Both roles are essential in forest management but differ in scope and seniority.

More about District Ranger jobs

What are popular job titles related to District Ranger jobs?

For District Ranger jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

District Ranger jobs near you
Infographic showing various District Ranger job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,977 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

District Ranger

Lander, WY • On-site

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Public Administration • 10K+ employees
Learn more about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)external

$89K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

United States Department Of Agriculture rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

These District Ranger positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer.
Forr additional questions aboutt the duties of these positions, refer to the Additional Information Section for names and email addresses for points of contact by Region.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:
  • Represented an organizational unit for the purpose of discussing agency policies and regulations with the general public, representatives from local, county, State, Federal and Tribal governments, permittees, industry, special interest groups, or other partners;
  • Developed annual program of work, prepared project work plans, developed long- and short-term budget needs, set priorities and documented work progress and accountability for assigned programs;
  • Planned, implemented, and administered a natural resources program (e.g., timber management program) for a unit that included developing staffing, budget and equipment needs for program/project accomplishment;
  • Provided advice, technical support, and evaluation of proposed and on-going natural resource programs to higher-level officials.

For the GS-13 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:
  • Provided counsel to higher organizational levels concerning natural resource program issues and their current and anticipated effects;
  • Exercised program responsibilities that included one or more of the following: program development, planning, budgeting, or identifying workforce and organizational needs to establish and meet priorities;
  • Interacted with members of the general public, representatives from local, county, State, Federal and Tribal governments, permittees, industry, special interest groups, and other partners to discuss, explain, or defend natural resource management policies and regulations;
  • Administered a natural resource program (e.g. timber management) for a unit that included development of staffing, budget and equipment needs, and implementation to meet program/project accomplishments.

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.
TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.Education:There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.Employment Type: OTHER

What United States Department Of Agriculture employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply