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National Forest Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

County of Riverside

Park Ranger I/II

Riverside, CA

$46K - $68K/yr

Background in open-space reserves, forestry, or parks. Park operations experience in a Park Ranger ... The Riverside County Regional Park Habitat and Open-Space District is a nationally accredited ...

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Campground Recreation Technician

Roosevelt, AZ · On-site

$35K - $44K/yr

... Basin Ranger District as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the Tonto National Forest. AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian ...

County of Riverside

Park Ranger I/II

Riverside, CA

$46K - $68K/yr

... nationally accredited agency who strives to be the regional leader in improving lives through ... Three years of working in the operations, maintenance, development, or protection of a park, forest ...

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National Forest Ranger information

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$5

$21

$30

How much do national forest ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for national forest ranger in the United States is $21.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $25.96 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.
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National Forest Ranger jobs near you
Infographic showing various National Forest Ranger job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,344 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Forestry Technician (Recreation)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Bozeman, MT • On-site

$19.52/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

USDA Forest Service rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 120 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

161st of 295 rated public sector bodies

Job description

This position is located within a National Forest. The incumbent is responsible for providing technical support to the unit recreation and snow ranger programs. As a Snow Ranger duties are to monitor winter recreation activities from December through April on National Forest Lands.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. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
GS-05: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level; OR a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable); OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience include: Working as a Forest Protection Officer (FPO) or similar position writing incident reports or violation notices as needed; providing technical support to the recreation program on the unit performing winter patrols of wilderness boundaries to assure compliance with winter recreation regulations and winter travel plans; providing information on resource management practices and recreation regulations, opportunities, and restrictions; ensuring recreation areas and trails were maintained in accordance with standards; and performing crew-based forestry related support work, such as for recreation or trail maintenance projects.
Selective Placement Factors
  • Incumbent must meet the Minimum Level I American Avalanche Association or equivalent certification.
  • First Aid and CPR certification is required to perform duties.
  • A valid driver's license is required to drive motor vehicles.
  • Use of snowshoes, skis, ATV's, and snowmobiles is required, with the ability to safely move and reposition snowmobiles in deep snow, load/unload snowmobiles from trailers, etc.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.Education:Employment Type: OTHER

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