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National Park Service Ranger Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Cameron County

PARK RANGER

South Padre Island, TX

$13 - $16/hr

PARK RANGER PAY PLAN: 116 - $ 45,798.00 minimum salary SECTION I- This is a responsible non ... To provide patrol, security and law enforcement services in County Parks and on County Public ...

Cameron County

PARK RANGER

South Padre Island, TX · On-site

$45K/yr

Employee is responsible to the Chief Park Ranger and must follow the chain of command and all ... services in County Parks and on County Public Beaches and access points to enhance public safety ...

Cameron County

PARK RANGER

South Padre Island, TX · On-site

$45K/yr

PARK RANGER PAY PLAN: 116 - $ 45,798.00 minimum salary SECTION I- This is a responsible non ... To provide patrol, security and law enforcement services in County Parks and on County Public ...

National Park Service

$40K - $80K/yr

Summary This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Interpretation, Education and Visitor Services, Fort Davis, TX. Learn ...

Travis County

Park Ranger

Austin, TX · On-site

$68K - $84K/yr

Responsible for visitor and resource protection, with emphasis on law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management, and search and rescue. Ensures a safe park experience for visitors ...

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.

Ranger

Willis, TX · On-site

$16.75 - $20.75/hr

The Campground Ranger position may include walking or patrol of the grounds of the campground ... Performs on-call emergency service as required. * Performs other duties as assigned. Skills ...

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.

Ranger

Bridgeport, TX · On-site

$16.25 - $20/hr

The Campground Ranger position may include walking or patrol of the grounds of the campground ... Exceptional customer service and communications skills and a friendly demeanor. * Experience ...

Equity LifeStyle Properties

Ranger

Whitney, TX · On-site

$16.50 - $20.25/hr

The Campground Ranger position may include walking or patrol of the grounds of the campground ... Performs on-call emergency service as required. * Performs other duties as assigned. Skills ...

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National Park Service Ranger information

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$11

$19

$36

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

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for national park service ranger in Texas is $19.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $19.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

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 operations, and may need to obtain certifications such as CPR or first aid.

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 experience, education in fields like environmental science or law enforcement, and passing background checks. Candidates typically need strong communication skills, physical fitness, and sometimes certifications such as CPR or first aid. The hiring process can be lengthy and involves multiple steps, including interviews and assessments.

What are popular job titles related to National Park Service Ranger jobs in Texas?

For National Park Service Ranger jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching National Park Service Ranger jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for National Park Service Ranger jobs in Texas are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for National Park Service Ranger jobs?

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National Park Service Ranger jobs near you
Infographic showing various National Park Service Ranger job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,040 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Park Ranger (Interpretation)

National Park Service

Johnson City, TX • On-site, Remote

$41K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 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

130th of 295 rated public sector bodies

Job description

Summary
You will serve as a Park Ranger (Interpretation) with the National Park Service.
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 work a maximum of 50 weeks, and you will be in a non-pay status for approximately 1 pay period (2 weeks) in the service year.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
At the full performance level (GS-09) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
  • You will be the Volunteer program coordinator for Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
  • Develop and present a variety of programs including guided walks, illustrated talks (PowerPoint amphitheater and campfire programs) and demonstrations.
  • Develop programs using principles of the NPS thematic interpretation model through topic research, familiarity with and creative use of delivery techniques.
  • Provide informal interpretation and orientation for park guests in visitor centers, ranger stations and while roving in the field.
  • Perform cashier duties and assist with a variety of special projects to support park goals.
  • Actively promote the safety of park visitors and stewardship of park resources in all interactions, and potentially serve as the initial contact for accident reporting and emergency assistance

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Requirements
Help
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 wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
  • You may be required to occasionally travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
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.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/01/2026-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.
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level:
  • Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience 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, the following: 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. Your resume must include hours worked per week to receive credit for your specialized experience, or you will be found not qualified and removed from consideration for this position. -OR-
  • Education: Successful completion of at least a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work in a major study such as: 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 pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience. 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 1 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). PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level:
  • Specialized Experience Requirement: You must possess one year of specialized experience from the public or private sector, equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. 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, the following: 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. Your resume must include hours worked per week to receive credit for your specialized experience, or you will be found not qualified and removed from consideration for this position. -OR-
  • Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate study in one of the following fields: natural resource management, natural sciences, marine biology/sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, wetlands ecology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. (One year of graduate education is 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours). PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection. -OR-
  • Superior Academic Achievement: Grade point average of B (a G.P.A. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 years of undergraduate study; A grade-point average of B+ (a G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses you completed in the last two years; Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; or Membership in National Honor Societies. NOTE: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate coursework (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an Honor Society. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, first determine the percentage of experience held by dividing the number of months of qualifying full-time experience possessed by 12 and then multiplying by 100. Then determine the percentage of qualifying graduate level education completed by dividing the number of credits completed by 18, then multiply by 100. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection.

Education
QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED:
To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level:
  • Specialized experience requirement: You mustpossess one year of specialized experience from the public or private sector, equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. 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, the following: 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. Your resume must include hours worked per week to receive credit for your specialized experience, or you will be found not qualified and removed from consideration for this position. -OR-
  • Education: Successful completion of two years of graduate level study which is directly related to the work of the position. Examples of related education include but are not limited to; natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Two years of graduate study is considered to be 36 semester hours. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, first determine the percentage of experience held by dividing the number of months of qualifying full time experience possessed by 12 and then multiplying by 100. Then determine the percentage of qualifying graduate level education completed by dividing the number of credits completed by 36, then multiply by 100. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with credit hours and grades listed if you are using education to qualify. Official transcripts will be required upon selection.

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; religiou

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