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National Park Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger

Waller, TX · On-site

$12.50 - $13/hr

The Park Ranger is responsible for enforcing park rules to ensure the highest quality stay for our ... age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual ...

$42K - $57K/yr

Park Ranger - Public Safety and Law Enforcement - Wilderness Road State Park Apply now Job no ... National Historic Registry. Our parks encompass over 75,000 acres, offering campsites, cabins ...

Park Ranger

Hot Springs, SD · On-site

$36K/yr

Serves as a Park Ranger assisting the ranger staff with the routine day-to-day duties required to ... Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National ...

$42K - $57K/yr

Park Ranger - Public Safety and Law Enforcement - Wilderness Road State Park State Role Title ... National Historic Registry. Our parks encompass over 75,000 acres, offering campsites, cabins ...

Park Ranger

Breaux Bridge, LA · On-site

$14.30 - $14.70/hr

The Park Ranger is responsible for enforcing park rules to ensure the highest quality stay for our ... age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual ...

The Park Ranger is responsible for enforcing park rules to ensure the highest quality stay for our ... age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual ...

The Park Ranger is responsible for enforcing park rules to ensure the highest quality stay for our ... age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual ...

Park Ranger

Astoria, OR · On-site

$5.2K/mo

Park Ranger $ 4,326.57 TO $5,258.97 per month Variable schedule, 5 consecutive days totalling 40hrs ... color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or ...

The Park Ranger is responsible for all safety, security, visitor, and resource protection in the ... age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual ...

Park Ranger

Astoria, OR · On-site

$4.3K - $5.2K/mo

Park Ranger $ 4,326.57 TO $5,258.97 per month Variable schedule, 5 consecutive days totalling 40hrs ... color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or ...

Park Ranger

Marysville, WA · On-site

$22/hr

Previous experience in enforcement such as park ranger or law enforcement desirable. High School ... national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or the presence of a non-job-related ...

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National Park Ranger information

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$12

$20

$39

How much do national park ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for national 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.

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

To thrive as a National Park Ranger, you typically need a background in environmental science, natural resource management, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's degree and specialized training. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, radio communication systems, and certifications such as EMT or law enforcement credentials are commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for education and conservation help rangers connect with visitors and handle diverse situations. These skills are crucial for protecting natural resources, ensuring visitor safety, and delivering meaningful educational experiences in the park.

How much do US National Park Rangers get paid?

U.S. National Park Rangers typically earn a median annual salary of around $40,000 to $50,000, depending on experience, location, and level of responsibility. Entry-level rangers may start at lower salaries, while those with advanced certifications or supervisory roles can earn higher wages. Salaries are often complemented by benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Which president set aside Yellowstone?

President Ulysses S. Grant set aside Yellowstone as the first national park in 1872. As a park ranger, understanding the history of national parks can help in managing and protecting these natural resources effectively.

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

Becoming a national park ranger can be competitive, as it often requires relevant education, such as a degree in environmental science or related fields, along with experience in outdoor or law enforcement roles. Candidates typically need strong communication skills, physical fitness, and sometimes certifications like CPR or first aid. The hiring process may involve multiple steps, including interviews and background checks, making it a challenging but attainable career path for those with the right qualifications.

How do National Park Rangers typically collaborate with other agencies and departments during their daily work?

National Park Rangers often work closely with other federal, state, and local agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, local law enforcement, and wildlife conservation groups. This collaboration can involve joint patrols, emergency response coordination, resource sharing, and participation in educational outreach programs. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, especially during search and rescue operations or wildfire management. Building strong relationships with other agencies not only enhances park safety and resource protection, but also provides rangers with valuable networking opportunities and exposure to broader career paths.

What are National Park Rangers?

National Park Rangers are federal or state employees responsible for protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources within national parks. They perform a variety of duties, including law enforcement, search and rescue, fire management, environmental education, and visitor services. Park Rangers ensure the safety of visitors, enforce park regulations, and help maintain the ecological integrity of parklands. Their roles can be both physically demanding and highly rewarding, giving them the opportunity to work in some of the most beautiful natural settings in the country.

What is the difference between National Park Ranger vs Forest Ranger?

AspectNational Park RangerForest Ranger
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in environmental science, forestry, or related field; certifications in first aid and law enforcementSimilar credentials; often requires forestry or environmental degrees; law enforcement training may be needed
Work EnvironmentReserves, visitor centers, park patrols, educational programs in national parksForests, wilderness areas, conservation projects, forest patrols
Employer & IndustryNational Park Service, federal governmentU.S. Forest Service, state or federal agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared due to similar roles in conservation and public safety

Both National Park Rangers and Forest Rangers work in natural environments, focusing on conservation, safety, and public education. While their work settings differ—parks versus forests—their required credentials and responsibilities overlap significantly, making them closely related roles within the conservation field.

Do NPS Rangers carry guns?

National Park Service (NPS) Rangers are law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry firearms while on duty. They are trained in firearm use, law enforcement procedures, and safety protocols to enforce park regulations and ensure visitor safety.
More about National Park Ranger jobs
What cities are hiring for National Park Ranger jobs? Cities with the most National Park Ranger job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Park Ranger jobs? The most popular types of Park Ranger jobs are:
What states have the most National Park Ranger jobs? States with the most job openings for National Park Ranger jobs include:
What job categories do people searching National Park Ranger jobs look for? The top searched job categories for National Park Ranger jobs are:
Infographic showing various National Park Ranger job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 3% Full Time, 61% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 13% Contract, and 17% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,977 per year, or $20.7 per hour.
Park Ranger (Interpretation)

Park Ranger (Interpretation)

National Park Service

Anniston, AL • On-site, Remote

$61K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


National Park Service rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 98 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

122nd of 279 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Summary
This position located at Freedom Riders National Monument, in the Interpretation Division and may occasionally serve Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, which is under the same administrative leadership.
Open to the first 100 applicants or until 07/06/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Interpretation & Education, Anniston, AL.
At the full performance level (GS-09) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Designs interpretive experiences with purposeful focus and cohesion that address the strategic goals and objectives of park interpretation.
  • Use a variety of fully developed interpretive techniques based on audience, medium, resource, and setting to guide interactive experiences and provide opportunities for in person and virtual connections.
  • Applies facilitation skills and collaborate with others to guide interactive experiences and explore sensitive, complex, and/or controversial topics.
  • Creates, facilitates, and supports opportunities for audiences to understand national significance and personal relevance through intellectual and emotional connections to resource meanings and their current context.
  • Develops and present formal and informal audience and learner-centered interpretive experiences using interpretive skills, techniques, and tools delivered in-person and through interpretive media and technology.

Salary Range Information (Per Annum):
$61,722 - $80,243 per annum
*First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.
The employees of the National Park Service care for special places that are the heritage of all Americans. Since its inception in 1916, the National Park Service has been dedicated to the preservation and management of this country's outstanding natural, historical, and recreational resources. Park Ranger - Interpreters connect people to parks. They play a key role in ensuring that visitors have a meaningful, satisfying, and safe park experience, help visitors decide how to spend their time in the park, and inform them about the wonders that await their discovery. Park Ranger - Interpreters are specially trained to engage the public so that each park visitor can find a personal connection with the meanings and values found in the places and stories of that park. They help visitors explore the many dimensions of parks by introducing them to a variety of perspectives. By providing the opportunity for visitors to care about the places they visit, they promote stewardship and the opportunity for those visitors to care for park resources. National parks are among the most remarkable places in America for recreation, learning, and inspiration. The work done by Park Ranger - Interpreters through effective interpretive and educational programs encourages the development of a personal stewardship ethic and broadens public support for preserving and protecting park resources, so that they may be enjoyed by present and future generations.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement who have had a break in service of less than one year, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments. Time-in-grade does not apply to new excepted service appointments and must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties in order to travel between Freedom Riders National Monument and Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to3-5nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*
Qualifications
Requirements Continued...
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement, 07/06/2026, unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.
For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
To qualify for this position at the GS-0025-09 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-0025-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to, 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 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the occupation. (Related fields of study include natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, 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 pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.). You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion a combination of graduate level education beyond the first year of progressive graduate study and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position. You must include transcripts.
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.
Additional information
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion and can involve extensive periods of standing and walking, in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines outdoors or in caves, and carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, or other loads. Some employees may engage in firefighting, search and rescue, and other strenuous activities; these employees may be required to lift or carry equipment weighing more than 50 pounds over long distances. Employees who participate in all-risk operations will be required to meet fitness requirements on a continuing basis.
Working Conditions: The work can include moderate risks or discomforts that require safety precautions (e.g., exposure to extreme temperatures, climates, rough terrain, wild animals, pests, and/or insects). The incumbent may be required to use protective clothing or gear, such as masks, boots, gloves, etc. Some employees may be engaged in all-risk operations and be exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations which require a range of safety and other precautions.
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility:
You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals, ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance consistent with your SF-50s.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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