Forest Ranger Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $56,881.00 - $92,252.00 Annually
Location : Ascend One Building, 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00318
Department: Recreation & Parks
Division: R&P REC11F - Gen Fund
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: 6/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Provides public outreach and education, regulation enforcement and program assistance within the park system including active recreation facilities and Natural Resource areas. As ambassadors of the parks, Park Rangers strive to serve the public through education and conservation, while fostering a safe and welcoming recreational experience. Assists in a variety of essential county services that include, but are not limited to; customer service, enforcing all relevant codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations in accordance with Title 19. Park Rangers provide event management, host educational events, conduct outreach, conserving forestry, wildlife, and open space; assist with deer management; conducts investigative work related to damage to the environment, wildlife poaching, and unpermitted activities.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$27.35 - $29.45$56,881 - $61,251
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
This is specialized park safety and security work which typically involves routine patrol of county park lands and facilities ensuring compliance with park rules and ordinances. Work activities also include assisting the public in the use of park assets and maintaining a cooperative liaison with county police other law enforcement agencies. An employee in this class operates vehicles on a variety of terrain and uses specialized police laptop computer and radio communication systems equipment to maintain contact and coordination with county police. Work is performed with general supervision from an administrative superior. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with accepted law enforcement standards and applicable regulations. Work activities may involve limited intervention in critical and emergency incidents. May be required to work special or non-routine hours as a result of assignment or special event. Contacts with others are sensitive and important and include park visitors, home owners, representatives of community groups and county police and other law enforcement agencies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
• Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
• Participates in day and night patrols of park system including facilities and Natural Resource areas. Patrols county parks, open space, and facilities by foot, bike, or vehicle between the hours of 06:30 and 23:00 to ensure public safety and compliance with rules and regulations.
• Issue citations for infractions against parkland rules and regulations and local ordinances.
• Processes incident reports with accurate detail and factual information.
• Assists and cooperates with other agencies such as Howard County Police, Howard County Fire & Rescue, and the Department of Natural Resources in crime prevention, investigations, medical emergencies, public hazards, search and rescue operations, and parking and traffic mitigation.
• Acts as a first responder and if necessary, renders CPR and first aid until the arrival of Emergency Medical Services.
• Resolves permit disputes for facility spaces, athletic fields, courts, and picnic pavilions.
• Responsible for the tracking and reporting of their duties and activities.
• Provides education to park patrons on issues related to park amenities, wildlife, programs, and rules and regulations.
• Responsible for security at special events and other programs.
• Provides assistance to other park staff in areas such as crowd control and traffic control.
• This position will assist with Deer Management tasks, including but not limited to: providing security for managed hunts and sharp shooting operations, constructing and installing elevated hunting stands and feeders, installing signage, evisceration, handling of firearms, collection of biological data, Spotter for Sharpshooters, and teaching Hunter Education classes.
• Park Rangers may be selected to become Sharpshooters upon successfully completing required training.
• Organizes and oversees volunteer and community service groups in enhancements and clean-up projects.
• Develops, markets, and implements inclusive programs and public outreach that welcome a diverse audience.
• Assists with field training and monitors the performance of newly hired staff. Ensures that newly hired staff maintain performance standards during the initial training and field evaluation component and provide updates to Park Ranger supervisors for performance evaluation.
• Participates in court proceeding including, testimony and evidence presentation.
• Park Rangers are required to utilize the issued Body Armor, according to the Body Armor Policy.
• Responsible for utilizing their 800 MHZ radio and Mobile Data Computer (MDC) to log in to Central Communications at the start of a shift and out at the end of their shift.
• This position is considered essential and will be required to work emergency situations to include staffing the Department Operations Center.
• Serves on committees as assigned.
• Responsible for identifying and applying good sustainability practices into all aspects of Department operations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no formal supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of the 12th grade and two (2) years experience in security, law enforcement, park management or a related field, or completion of an Associate's Degree in law enforcement, park management or a related field.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience performing ranger duties including enforcement and public outreach.
• Basic computer skills plus proficiency in MS applications & GIS mapping.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision. Employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and working at night, in low light. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but occasional exposure to fire arm discharge may occur.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

• Possession of a valid Driver' License. License must remain valid, as long as individual is employed in this class.
  
• Requires training and certification in various law enforcement practices and techniques, including Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C) chemical spray exposure.
  
• May be required to be licensed or the ability to obtain a Deer Cooperators License through Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
  
• Obtain Maryland Hunter Safety Certification or equivalent, within one year of employment.
  
• Completion of required FEMA ICS-100/700 training, within six months of employment.
  
• Obtain SAR-Tech III (Search and Rescue) Certification, within one year of employment.
  
• Obtain Maryland Boater Safety or equivalent, within six months of employment.
  
• Obtain ATV Safety Institute, within six months of employment.
  
• Additional trainings and certifications as required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.
GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.
PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal...