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National Forest Ranger Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger

Kilauea, HI · On-site

$42K/yr

Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex located in Kilauea ... forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management ...

National Forest Ranger information

See Hawaii salary details

$5

$22

$31

How much do national forest ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for national forest ranger in Hawaii is $22.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $26.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a national forest ranger?

A National Forest Ranger is a professional responsible for managing and protecting public lands within national forests. Their duties include enforcing regulations, conserving natural resources, maintaining trails and facilities, conducting search and rescue operations, and educating the public about forest conservation. They work for the U.S. Forest Service and may specialize in law enforcement, wildfire management, or recreation services. Rangers play a crucial role in balancing environmental preservation with public access and use.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a national forest ranger?

To thrive as a National Forest Ranger, you need a strong background in natural resource management, environmental science, and law enforcement, typically supported by a related degree and formal training. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, radio communications, fire management equipment, and relevant federal certifications such as Wildland Firefighter (FFT2) is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are valuable for working with the public and collaborating with diverse agencies. These skills and qualifications are critical for ensuring the safety, conservation, and effective management of national forest lands.

What challenges do national forest rangers face in their daily work?

National Forest Rangers often encounter challenges such as enforcing regulations in remote and difficult terrain, responding to unpredictable emergencies like wildfires or search-and-rescue missions, and balancing conservation efforts with public access and recreation. They may work alone or in small teams, sometimes in adverse weather conditions or during long shifts. Collaborating with other rangers, law enforcement, scientists, and community groups is a frequent part of the job. Flexibility and quick decision-making are crucial to handle the varied and dynamic situations they face on a daily basis.

Are national forest rangers getting paid?

Yes, national forest rangers are paid employees who typically receive a salary or hourly wage for their work managing and protecting forest resources. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and federal pay scales, and many rangers also receive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Is it hard to get a job as a national forest ranger?

Becoming a national forest ranger typically requires meeting minimum age and education requirements, passing physical fitness tests, and obtaining relevant certifications such as CPR or first aid. Competition can be moderate, and candidates often need experience in outdoor work or related fields; strong knowledge of conservation and safety protocols is also important.

What does a national forest ranger do?

A national forest ranger is responsible for managing and protecting forest resources, enforcing regulations, and assisting visitors. They often conduct patrols, provide educational programs, and may require certifications in firefighting or first aid. Rangers work outdoors in various weather conditions and may have irregular hours to ensure safety and conservation efforts.

What are popular job titles related to National Forest Ranger jobs in Hawaii?

For National Forest Ranger jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching National Forest Ranger jobs in Hawaii look for?

The top searched job categories for National Forest Ranger jobs in Hawaii are:

Infographic showing various National Forest Ranger job openings in Hawaii as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,111 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

$20.38/hr

Temporary

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

This position will serve as a Park Ranger (Eruption Crew Member) at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
This is a temporary position expected to last one (1) year but may be extended up to a maximum of two years based on agency needs and potential funding.
Open to the first 100 applicants
Likely EOD September 2026
Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm (EST) on the 08/24/2026to be considered.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position at the GS-0025-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: Park Guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; 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; or other similar work. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 4 years of education above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience described in A above(50% of the experience requirement), and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education) which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified in B above (50% of the related coursework required).
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:

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Employment Type: OTHER