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Federal Park Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chief Park Ranger

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$111K - $135K/yr

... park ranger services; and coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments ... federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to park administration and law ...

Park Ranger Assistant

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$35K - $43K/yr

... the Park Ranger Assistant provides assistance and support services to the County Regional Parks ... federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been ...

Park Ranger Assistant

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$35K - $43K/yr

... the Park Ranger Assistant provides assistance and support services to the County Regional Parks ... federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been ...

$44K - $60K/yr

Chief Ranger Law Enforcement - Westmoreland State Park Apply now Job no: 5106642 Work type ... a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer. DCR's Mission is to ...

... Park Ranger Recruit participates in a basic law enforcement training program including a State of ... federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been ...

... Park Ranger Recruit participates in a basic law enforcement training program including a State of ... federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been ...

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Federal Park Ranger information

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$12

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$39

How much do federal park ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for federal park 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.

Are federal park rangers getting paid?

Federal park rangers are paid a salary that varies based on experience, location, and federal pay scales, typically including benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. They often work full-time hours and may receive overtime pay for additional hours worked.

Are park ranger jobs hard to get?

Federal park ranger jobs are competitive and often require relevant education, such as a degree in natural resources or environmental science, along with experience in outdoor or law enforcement roles. Candidates typically need to pass background checks, physical fitness tests, and sometimes obtain certifications like CPR or first aid. Strong communication skills and knowledge of park regulations also improve chances of hiring.

Are park rangers considered federal employees?

Yes, federal park rangers are considered federal employees because they work for government agencies such as the National Park Service. They typically receive federal benefits, follow federal employment policies, and may need certifications like CPR or law enforcement training. Their duties include protecting natural resources and assisting visitors in national parks and federal lands.

What is the difference between Federal Park Ranger vs State Park Ranger?

AspectFederal Park RangerState Park Ranger
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in natural resources, environmental science, or related field; certifications like CPR and first aidSimilar educational requirements; often requires state-specific certifications or training
Work EnvironmentNational parks and federal lands across the countryState parks and state-managed lands within a specific state
Employer & IndustryU.S. Department of the Interior or National Park ServiceState government agencies managing parks and recreation
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Federal Park Rangers and State Park Rangers share similar roles in protecting natural resources, enforcing laws, and providing visitor services. The main difference lies in their jurisdiction: federal park rangers work in national parks managed by the federal government, while state park rangers serve within state parks. Both roles require comparable education and certifications, but their work environments and governing bodies differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Federal Park Ranger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Federal Park Ranger, you need expertise in natural resource management, law enforcement, environmental education, and a relevant degree such as in biology, forestry, or criminal justice. Proficiency with tools such as GIS mapping software, radio communication devices, and completion of specialized training programs like the National Park Service Law Enforcement Academy are typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to public service help rangers effectively engage visitors and respond to emergencies. These competencies are crucial for protecting park resources, ensuring visitor safety, and upholding federal regulations within national parks.

What are some common challenges faced by Federal Park Rangers in their daily work?

Federal Park Rangers often face unique challenges such as managing large crowds during peak seasons, responding to emergencies like lost hikers or wildfires, and balancing conservation efforts with visitor services. They must adapt to working in remote or rugged environments and handle a variety of tasks, from law enforcement to educational outreach. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as rangers frequently collaborate with other agencies and interact with diverse visitors to ensure public safety and resource protection.

How do you become a federal park ranger?

To become a federal park ranger, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant work experience, and often a degree or coursework in natural resources, environmental science, or related fields. Applicants must pass background checks, physical fitness tests, and sometimes obtain certifications such as CPR or first aid; some positions require completing a federal law enforcement training academy.

What are Federal Park Rangers?

Federal Park Rangers are professionals employed by agencies such as the National Park Service who protect and manage national parks, monuments, and historic sites in the United States. Their duties include law enforcement, emergency response, environmental education, resource management, and ensuring visitor safety. Park Rangers may also provide guided tours, participate in conservation efforts, and work to preserve natural and cultural resources. They often work outdoors in all types of weather and may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Federal Park Rangers play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and enjoyment of America's public lands.
More about Federal Park Ranger jobs
What cities are hiring for Federal Park Ranger jobs? Cities with the most Federal Park Ranger job openings:
What states have the most Federal Park Ranger jobs? States with the most job openings for Federal Park Ranger jobs include:
Infographic showing various Federal Park Ranger job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,977 per year, or $20.7 per hour.
Chief Park Ranger

Chief Park Ranger

County of Sacramento

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$111K - $135K/yr

Other

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

The Position This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 6/12/26, 6/22/26 (final) Under general direction, the Chief Park Ranger directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and services in the County Regional Park System, and other jurisdictions contracting for park ranger services; and coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, outside agencies, and the general public. Examples of Knowledge and Abilities Knowledge of Principles and practices of management and organizational theory, including planning, organizational design, business finance, business development, project management, and organizational effectiveness Principles and practices of supervision, discipline, leadership, mentoring, and training Principles and practices of law enforcement Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to park administration and law enforcement Economic, social, and environmental conditions and their impact on park resources and operations Principles of natural resource management and projection Information and presentation techniques to plan and review interpretive programs on historical, cultural and natural features of a park Principles of customer service Alternative funding such as grants, endowments, and corporate sponsorship Proper operation of communication equipment such as two-way radios, pagers and cell phones Safety procedures related to using firearms, handcuffs and batons Basic first aid and CPR Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment Effective techniques for speaking before groups and preparing public presentations English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation Ability to Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff Plan, coordinate, assign, and review the work of others Investigate and resolve disciplinary issues Deal successfully with the public Develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with the public, County departments, and other agencies and organizations Develop, monitor and interpret budget projections, expenditures, and allocation of resources Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to park administration and law enforcement Apply customer service skills, including the identification of customer needs and follow up to ensure customer commitments have been met Provide basic first aid and CPR Interpret and summarize a variety of data and information and complete comprehensive reports Direct the law enforcement program for the County parks system Speak in public and before groups Use current technologies, tools, and equipment to achieve program goals Employment Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Successful completion of the State of California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Supervisory Course; AND Two years of full-time, paid or volunteer experience supervising staff performing ranger activities in a public recreational park or historical area, law enforcement work, or investigative work.

Note: Completion of units from an accredited college or university in law enforcement, park and recreation administration, forestry, public recreation, criminal justice, natural resource management or a closely related field pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 3 semester (4 quarter) units equal one month of work experience. Note: If a period of three years has elapsed since employment as a full-time peace officer in California, successful completion of the California Basic Course Equivalency Examination administered by POST will be required before employment. The three year time period is computed from the last day of the last applicable full-time paid law enforcement employment and the date of appointment in this class.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements. Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application.

Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

General Qualifications Criminal History and Background Checks: The County shall access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and Procedures B-5, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist.

For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained. The County shall also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class.

The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act

License Requirement: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certification Requirement: A valid First Aid and CPR Certificate from the American Red Cross or another agency that meets OSHA guidelines are required within twelve months of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate certificates may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Compliance with California Government Code: Each employee shall meet the minimum standards pursuant to California Government Code, Section 1031, as may be amended from time to time: Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

Any permanent resident alien shall be disqualified from holding a position if his/her application for citizenship is denied. Be at least 18 years of age. Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.

In addition, a classifiable set of fingerprints shall be furnished to the Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer. For purposes of this section, a medical examination, including psychological screening, shall be required prior to appointment.

Physical Requirements: While most work will be done in an office setting, incumbents in this class will also be required to: Lift, pull, push and carry equipment and material weighing up to 40 pounds without assistance; lift heavier items with assistance. Demonstrate color vision sufficient to distinguish colors in order to describe events in an accurate manner. Have normal (or corrected to normal) sense of vision in order to operate a vehicle safely and perform other duties of this class.

Have normal (or corrected to normal) sense of hearing in order to operate communication equipment required for this class. Walk and stand for long periods of time. Have physical strength, agility, and stamina to use security equipment such as firearms, handcuffs and batons, and apprehend and restrain an individual.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Working Conditions: While most work will be done in an office setting, incumbents in this class will also be required to: Work outside in all types of climatic conditions including inclement or very hot weather. Work around dust, dirt, noise, and odors.

Work alone for extended periods of time. Work in areas of low illumination. Work in stressful situations requiring calm and rational decision making.

Work various shifts to provide 24-7 coverage, including nights, weekends and holidays, overtime and standby. Wear and maintain a designated uniform; including department issued safety equipment such as a duty/gun belt, handcuffs, baton, etc. Work on uneven terrain.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Probationary Period The probationary period for this classification is twelve (12) months. Application and Testing Information APPLICATION Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date. Click here to apply. County of Sacramento Department of Personnel Services Employment Services Division 700 H Street, Room 4667 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone (916) 874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service Email EmployOffice@Saccounty.net Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667 www.SacCountyJobs.net Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m

on the cut-off date. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m

on the cut-off date. Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date. Application information must be current, concise and related to the requirements in this job announcement.

You may only apply for this recruitment once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified. A resume may be included with your application, however it will not substitute for the information requested on the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE Applicants are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The Supplemental Questionnaire is located in the tab marked "Supplemental Questions". Please be descriptive in your response.

Note: Responses of "See Resume" or "See Application", or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be considered. Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date

Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date

The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidate's experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification. Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.

If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely. Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.

For many individuals, it is more efficient to develop responses to the supplemental questions in a word processing document and then paste them into the final document to be submitted. Changes or corrections to your Supplemental Questionnaire cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted. If the Supplemental Questionnaire is used in the Formula Rate exam, failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score.

While scoring the Supplemental Questionnaire, the candidate's application and/or attachments will not be reviewed, therefore, a candidate's responses to the questions should be accurate, thorough, detailed, and complete. FORMULA RATE EXAMINATION (Weighted 100%) All candidates meeting the minimum qualifications by the cut-off date will have their Supplemental Questionnaire scored in the Formula Rate Examination. This examination will evaluate the relevance, level, recency, progression and quality of candidate's education, training and experience.

The candidate's application or other materials will not be included in this examination. Therefore, the candidate's responses to the supplemental questionnaire should be thorough, detailed and complete. The score from the Formula Rate Examination will determine the ranking on the eligible/employment list for this job.

All candidates competing in the testing process will receive written notice of their examination results by email. Notices can also be accessed in their governmentjobs.com inbox. Applicants achieving a passing score will be placed on the eligible list in rank order

The rank is determined by the test score attained from the examination. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) For information regarding County jobs: www.saccountyjobs.net Sacramento County is about enriching communities ...