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Law Enforcement Ranger Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger

Austin, TX · On-site

$68K - $84K/yr

Responsible for visitor and resource protection, with emphasis on law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management, and search and rescue. Ensures a safe park experience for visitors ...

Law Enforcement Ranger information

See Austin, TX salary details

$11

$20

$39

How much do law enforcement ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for law enforcement ranger in Austin, TX is $20.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $21.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a law enforcement ranger?

Law Enforcement Rangers are specially trained officers who work in national parks, forests, and other public lands to enforce laws, protect resources, and ensure visitor safety. They have authority to investigate crimes, issue citations, make arrests, and respond to emergencies like search and rescue operations. In addition to law enforcement duties, they also educate the public on park regulations and conservation efforts. Law Enforcement Rangers play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and integrity of protected natural areas.

What does a law enforcement ranger do in law enforcement?

A law enforcement ranger enforces laws and regulations within parks, forests, or protected areas, ensuring public safety and environmental protection. They may conduct patrols, issue citations, assist visitors, and respond to emergencies, often requiring knowledge of law enforcement procedures and relevant certifications. Their work environment is typically outdoor and may involve specialized tools or vehicles.

What are some common challenges faced by law enforcement rangers, and how can new hires prepare for them?

Law Enforcement Rangers often work in remote or rugged environments, which can pose challenges such as unpredictable weather, wildlife encounters, and limited immediate backup. New hires should be prepared to exercise sound judgment, remain calm under pressure, and adapt quickly to changing situations. Physical fitness, solid communication skills, and thorough knowledge of park regulations are essential. Rangers frequently collaborate with other agencies and the public, so strong interpersonal skills are also important for building trust and ensuring safety.

What is the difference between Law Enforcement Ranger vs Park Ranger?

AspectLaw Enforcement RangerPark Ranger
Required CredentialsPeace officer certification, law enforcement trainingBasic park service training, sometimes law enforcement certification
Work EnvironmentEnforces laws, responds to emergencies, patrols public areasEducates visitors, maintains park facilities, enforces park rules
Employer & IndustryFederal, state, or local law enforcement agenciesNational, state, or local park services

Law Enforcement Rangers have law enforcement authority, requiring peace officer certification, and focus on law enforcement duties within parks. Park Rangers primarily focus on education, conservation, and visitor services, with some law enforcement responsibilities. Both roles work in outdoor environments but differ in their primary responsibilities and required credentials.

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

To thrive as a Law Enforcement Ranger, you need knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, law enforcement procedures, and a background in criminal justice or natural resource management, often supported by specialized training and certification through agencies like the National Park Service. Familiarity with patrol vehicles, incident reporting systems, firearms, and other law enforcement tools is typically required. Excellent judgment, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are critical for ensuring public safety, protecting natural resources, and effectively managing incidents in diverse and sometimes remote environments.
What are popular job titles related to Law Enforcement Ranger jobs in Austin, TX? For Law Enforcement Ranger jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Law Enforcement Ranger jobs in Austin, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Law Enforcement Ranger jobs in Austin, TX are:
What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Law Enforcement Ranger jobs? Cities near Austin, TX with the most Law Enforcement Ranger job openings:
Infographic showing various Law Enforcement Ranger job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,599 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

$68K - $84K/yr

Other

Re-posted 7 days ago


Travis County rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

309th of 842 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Job Summary Works under moderate supervision to provide day-to-day patrol within the Travis County parks and preserves system. Responsible for visitor and resource protection, with emphasis on law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management, and search and rescue. Ensures a safe park experience for visitors through intensive public interaction.

Detects, documents and corrects safety hazards. Protects natural and cultural resources in the park and preserve system through the enforcement of rules and regulations and state and federal environmental laws. Functions as a Peace Officer Certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and as an Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a job classification within the Non-Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) Peace Officer Pay Scale job family. Operates a motorized vehicle. Operates radio equipment.

Administers CPR and first aid. Maintains physical endurance and agility. Act decisively, rapidly, and knowledgeably in emergency and life threatening situations.

This job works various shifts and may require working extended hours during emergency management operations. This position requires a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of the department, including frequent evenings and weekends, and incumbents must be available for emergency response at all times when in geographic area. Duties and Responsibilities Conducts daily patrols of Travis County parks and preserves.

Performs routine patrols of waters off park boundaries and along park shorelines; patrols park areas by foot, bicycle, vehicle, horse, motor vehicle and patrol boat to contact park visitors and neighbors to ensure compliance with park rules Enforces Federal and State laws and educates the public on park rules. Disseminates park, preserve, and area information to the public; ensures that information is accurate, professional and timely; interfaces with visitors, neighbors, user and volunteer organizations and other agencies to promote Travis County parks and preserves in a positive and professional manner; responds to visitor complaints and concerns; directs corrective action as required. Makes felony and misdemeanor arrests, issues citations, conducts investigations, and prepares appropriate reports.

Transports prisoners, testifies in court and completes follow-up investigations as needed. Ensures compliance with regulations and policies within Travis County parks and preserves. Provides visitor and resource protection in Travis County parks and preserves.

Responds to incidents inside parks as dispatched, reported, or as detected by the officer. Responds to, or is dispatched to, medical incidents and situations within parks and preserves and provides patient care according to established protocols. Provides emergency medical services as part of a First Responder Organization.

Treats patients in the field and prepares appropriate reports. Packages patient(s) awaiting transport and determines category of patient(s). Assists or is dispatched to assist other agencies to law enforcement incidents or in hear parks.

Recognizes, responds, coordinates and/or participates in search and rescue situations. Performs inspections of facilities, grounds, and equipment to ensure visitor and employee safety, facility integrity, and aesthetic appearance. Monitors endangered species habitat and patrols boundaries to deter and detect encroachment and destruction of resources.

Completes park and preserve inspections and reports hazards to park supervisors and tract managers and/or performs corrective action. Safeguards departmental equipment and facilities; prepares reports of activities and presents programs concerning department activities and programs to the public. Performs administrative duties, and interfaces and coordinates with private and public entities including, but not limited to: Travis County Constable 5, StarFlight, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), local volunteer agencies and other agencies on public safety planning, training, and mutual aid.

Recommends staffing needs and special needs for special events; prepares case incident reports, criminal incident reports, and EMS run records as required. Prepares documentation of patient care incident reports and patient medical records. Collects data and assists in preparation of the annual work plan for the park and preserve system and completes assigned annual work plan projects.

Prepares daily time accounting reports. Wears approved duty uniform and carries approved weapons in performing duties. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements Education and Experience: High school diploma or G.E.D., AND two (2) years of experience in public safety situations requiring immediate decisions, collaboration with other responders, and appropriate corrective action. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Valid Texas Driver's License. Certification as a Texas Peace Officer issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)

Must obtain system clearance as a Texas Department of State Health Services certified Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) within one (1) year of completion of a certified law enforcement deputy training academy and Field Training Officer (FTO) training, and then must maintain system certification as an EMT-B based on standards established by the StarFlight Medical Director; AND, Pre-employment - must pass all written, physical, and psychological tests as required. Preferred: Bachelor's degree with emphasis in Parks and Recreation, Forestry, Conservation Biology, Geography, or other related Life Science disciplines, plus at least two (2) years of experience in park resource management and administration. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: Texas Penal Code, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and of the Incident Command System (ICS).

Criminal law statutes, crime prevention, investigation techniques and patrol operating procedures. Park administration and management, departmental rules and regulations. Specialized training including search and rescue techniques, technical water rescue, high angle rescue, swift water rescue, dive rescue certified, boating operations, hazardous material handling and control, technical self-defense, defensive weapons, and advanced life support techniques.

Appropriate response to emergency medical situations and principles and practices of emergency medical services. Federal, State, Travis County and City of Austin applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines. Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and variety of software packages.

Local ecology, and resource management issues and strategies. Business letter writing, grammar punctuation, and report preparation. Skill in: Effective oral and written communications.

Effective management of emergencies Customer service and conflict resolution. Maintaining effective public relations. Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.

Use of personal computers and a variety of software applications including word processing and spreadsheets. Emergency Medical Technician with a Basic certification (EMT - Intermediate preferred) and CPR (Adult & Pediatric CPR). Safe operation of motorized watercraft.

Problem solving and decision making. Using handguns and other firearms. Ability to: Maintain accurate logs and provide clearly written incident reports.

Work as a team member within a diverse organization. Operate a motor vehicle. Articulate factual information to the public regarding parks and preserves.

Provides informal interpretation of the area resources. Analyze and solve problems. Detect and correct safety problems and hazards.

Read and understand basic legal documents and technical publications. Respond to unexpected situations in a reasonable manner. Understand oral instructions.

Reason and make judgments and decisions. Manage time well and perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities. Work calmly, effectively, decisively, rapidly and knowledgeable in emergency situations.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public. Work Environment & Other Information Physical requirements include meeting physical ability/strength standards. Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-60 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, mental effort, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity, necessary to operate a computer, and viewing screens for long periods.

Subject to talking, standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, squatting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, handling, gripping, grasping, driving, repetitive motion, and client/customer contact to perform the essential functions. May work outdoors under extreme heat, cold, dampness for extended periods of time. May be exposed to high-risk situations involved in law enforcement, medical emergencies, natural disasters, search and rescue.

Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to stressful environment and client and customer contact for extended periods of time. Ability to take physical control of another person as required and exposure to: volatile or stressful situations.

Job may involve danger due to contact with criminals and suspects. Emergency operations require working under difficult conditions, including but not limited to being subjected to hazards and potential physical danger inherent in public safety and law enforcement work. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity.

As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm Department: TNR (Transportation & Natural Resources) Location: 6011 Blue Bluff Road Austin Texas 78724 Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. For updates or questions about this posting, contact: Sylvia Villanueva at Sylvia.Villanueva@traviscountytx.gov

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.


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