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National Park Service Ranger Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Park Guide

Saint Paul, MN · On-site +1

$40K - $52K/yr

Summary This is a Park Guide, GS-0090-05 position located at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in St. Paul, Minnesota. The primary purpose of this position is to provide guide services to ...

Starter/Ranger II

Duluth, MN · On-site

$13.50 - $14.50/hr

... Park is excited to announce the exceptional career opportunity of Starter/Ranger II. Qualified candidates will thrive in a hospitality environment and be highly focused in providing superior service.

Starter/Ranger II

Duluth, MN · On-site

$13.50 - $14.50/hr

... Park is excited to announce the exceptional career opportunity of Starter/Ranger II . Qualified candidates will thrive in a hospitality environment and be highly focused in providing superior service.

... Park is excited to announce the exceptional career opportunity of Starter/Ranger II . Qualified candidates will thrive in a hospitality environment and be highly focused in providing superior service.

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National Park Service Ranger information

See Minnesota salary details

$11

$20

$38

How much do national park service ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for national park service ranger in Minnesota is $20.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.97 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is it hard to get a job as a National Park Service ranger?

Becoming a National Park Service ranger can be competitive, as it often requires relevant education, such as a degree in natural resources 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.

What are some common challenges National Park Service rangers face when balancing conservation efforts with visitor engagement?

National Park Service Rangers often encounter the challenge of protecting natural and cultural resources while ensuring visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. This balance can be demanding, as rangers must enforce regulations to minimize environmental impact, educate the public about conservation, and respond to emergencies or violations. Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are essential, since rangers frequently interact with visitors who may be unaware of park rules or the importance of preservation. Overcoming these challenges is rewarding, as it allows rangers to foster stewardship and appreciation for the parks.

What is a National Park Service ranger?

National Park Service Rangers are professionals who work for the National Park Service (NPS) to protect and manage the natural and cultural resources within national parks. They perform a variety of roles, including law enforcement, education, emergency response, and resource management. Rangers help ensure the safety of visitors, maintain park facilities, and provide guided tours and educational programs. Their work is essential to preserving the integrity and enjoyment of national parks for present and future generations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a National Park Service ranger?

To thrive as a National Park Service Ranger, you need a solid understanding of natural and cultural resource management, law enforcement, and public education, often supported by a degree in environmental science, biology, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, first aid certification, and federal law enforcement systems like NPS LE are commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to public service help rangers effectively engage with visitors and manage challenging situations. These skills ensure the protection of park resources, visitor safety, and a positive visitor experience.

Can I be a national park service ranger with no experience?

Becoming a National Park Service ranger typically requires some relevant experience or education in areas such as law enforcement, natural sciences, or hospitality. Entry-level positions may be available for those with minimal experience, but candidates often need to demonstrate skills like communication, physical fitness, and a knowledge of park regulations. Certifications such as CPR or first aid can also be beneficial.
What are popular job titles related to National Park Service Ranger jobs in Minnesota? For National Park Service Ranger jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching National Park Service Ranger jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for National Park Service Ranger jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for National Park Service Ranger jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most National Park Service Ranger job openings:
Infographic showing various National Park Service Ranger job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,092 per year, or $20.2 per hour.

Park Guide

National Park Service

Saint Paul, MN • On-site, Remote

$40K - $52K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 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

123rd of 289 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Summary
This is a Park Guide, GS-0090-05 position located at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in St. Paul, Minnesota. The primary purpose of this position is to provide guide services to visitors involving giving talks, and interpreting natural and historic features.
Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will be in a non-pay status from late February to early March.
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Duties
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At the full performance level (GS-05) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Operate the visitor information desk, greeting visitors, providing park and area orientation, information and directions, and answering questions.
  • Determine the needs of a customer by attentively listening to their questions and concerns.
  • Initiate verbal communication with customers in a variety of settings to inform, educate, and/or guide (e.g. patrolling visitor use areas and providing roving contacts to visitors).
  • Conduct basic research of topics appropriate to the park's interpretive themes and presents a variety of formal and informal programs.
  • Operate a variety of audio-visual equipment.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
  • You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
This probationary or trial 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.
*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*
Qualifications
Requirements Continued...
  • 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 may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to 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 discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.
  • 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.
  • Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/12/2026-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-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: One full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in federal service. Specialized Experience is experience that involved oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; or developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, Park Guide or tour leader; naturalist; environmental educator or teacher; or other similar work.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, such as American history, science, public speaking, parks and recreation, education or communications. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent), in excess of the first 60 semester hours earned towards your degree, and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. 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.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration
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 standing for long periods of time, walking for long distances, climbing and descending steep inclines, bending, and lifting moderately heavy items. Mental stress and physical fatigue occur due to high volume of personal contacts, occasional emergency responses, and repetitive nature of interpretive programs
Working Conditions: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors resulting in exposure to a variety of weather conditions.
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/articles/29112781465108-Reasonable-Accommodation-Overview
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.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. <

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