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National Park Ranger Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Axle

Bioinformatics Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK) * Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP) * Transportation ... Bismark, Cell Ranger, Seurat, Scanpy) Preferred Qualifications * PhD in a relevant field

All JobsNational Park Ranger JobsNational Park Ranger Jobs in Reston, VA

National Park Ranger information

See Reston, VA salary details

$12

$21

$41

How much do national park ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for national park ranger in Reston, VA is $21.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $22.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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.

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, and experience in outdoor or law enforcement roles. Candidates typically need strong communication skills, physical fitness, and sometimes certifications like CPR or first aid; hiring processes may include interviews and background checks.

How do national park rangers collaborate with other agencies and departments?

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 is a national park ranger?

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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Park Ranger jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Park Ranger jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to National Park Ranger jobs in Reston, VA?

For National Park Ranger jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching National Park Ranger jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for National Park Ranger jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for National Park Ranger jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most National Park Ranger job openings:

National Park Ranger jobs near you
Infographic showing various National Park Ranger job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,711 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation)

Contact Us - National Parks of New York Harbor (U.S. National Park Service)

Arlington, VA

$102K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

You will serve as a Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation), District Ranger with National Park Service. You will be responsible for visitor services for a wide geographic district within the park, directing and leading interpretive staff within the district. The unique demography of this site is in an urban setting, significantly increasing the demands and complexity of this position.Qualifications:Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/18/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized 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 periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
1. Managing, planning, developing, and directing interpretive and visitor services programs for a park or similar public land management organization.
2. Performing the full range of supervisory responsibilities for staff, including workforce and position management, recruitment and hiring, performance management, employee development, retention planning and implementation, and addressing employee relations matters, including disciplinary and
corrective actions.
3. Establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with a diverse range of park, local, regional, and national stakeholders to support organizational goals, programs, and initiatives.
You must include hours per week worked. Please also include GS-level for federal positions listed on your resume.


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:This position does not allow substituting education for experience.
Employment Type: OTHER

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