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Park Ranger Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger Assistant information

See Portland, OR salary details

$12

$21

$42

How much do park ranger assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for park ranger assistant in Portland, OR is $21.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.37 and $22.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I be a park ranger assistant with no experience?

Park ranger assistant positions often do not require prior experience, but having knowledge of outdoor environments, basic safety skills, and a valid driver's license can be beneficial. Many employers provide on-the-job training, and relevant certifications such as first aid may improve your chances of hiring.

What is a park ranger assistant?

Park Ranger Assistants support park rangers in the management and protection of parks, forests, and other natural areas. Their duties often include helping with visitor services, maintaining trails and facilities, providing educational information, and assisting with conservation efforts. They play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of visitors and the preservation of natural resources. Park Ranger Assistants may work in national, state, or local parks, and their responsibilities can vary depending on the location and needs of the park.

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

Getting a job as a park ranger can be competitive, often requiring relevant education such as a degree in environmental science or natural resource management, along with experience in outdoor or conservation work. Certification in first aid, CPR, and law enforcement may also be necessary, and candidates should be prepared for physical fitness tests and background checks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a park ranger assistant?

To thrive as a Park Ranger Assistant, you need knowledge of environmental conservation, park operations, and relevant safety protocols, typically supported by a high school diploma or coursework in natural resources or biology. Familiarity with GPS units, two-way radios, and park management software is often required. Strong communication, teamwork, and customer service skills help you effectively interact with visitors and support park staff. These abilities are essential for ensuring visitor safety, preserving natural resources, and maintaining a positive park experience.

What are some common challenges faced by park ranger assistants during peak visitor seasons?

Park Ranger Assistants often experience increased workloads during peak seasons due to higher numbers of visitors, which can lead to challenges in maintaining park safety, providing quality customer service, and ensuring facilities remain clean and accessible. Managing large groups, responding to visitor queries, and assisting with emergencies or enforcing park regulations can become more demanding. Teamwork and effective communication with senior rangers and other assistants are essential to efficiently handle these busy periods and maintain a positive visitor experience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Park Ranger jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Park Ranger jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Park Ranger Assistant jobs in Portland, OR?

For Park Ranger Assistant jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Park Ranger Assistant jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Park Ranger Assistant jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Park Ranger Assistant jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Park Ranger Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Park Ranger Assistant job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,577 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Park Ranger (Visitor Services Specialist) (Seasonal)

Internships | Texas A&M University Kingsville

Ridgefield, WA • On-site

$21.03/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

You will serve as a Park Ranger (Visitor Services Specialist) (Seasonal) GS-0025-05 working in Ridgefield, Washington, for the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

This is a Temporary Not to Exceed 1039 hours position.

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Approximate Entry on Duty: October 2026
Open to the first 50 applicants. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 08/19/2026 to be considered.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/19/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, 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.

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

  • 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). Examples of this type of 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 qualifying specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following: Park guide or tour leader; Law enforcement or investigative work (park related); 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. You must include hours per week worked on your resume. -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-- 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. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. You must include transcripts. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, first take the number if hours earned beyond the second year and divide by 60 semester hours (90 if school uses quarter hours). 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 hours per week and 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:

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Employment Type: OTHER