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Park Ranger Law Enforcement Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger (I)

Lincoln City, IN ยท On-site +1

$40K - $80K/yr

Summary You will serve as a Park Ranger (I) with National Park Service. Learn more about this ... Specialized experience includes law enforcement duties for the protection, conservation, use, and ...

Ranger

Batesville, IN ยท On-site

$17.25 - $21.50/hr

ELS is hiring for the position of Ranger in Batesville, Indiana. What you'll do: The Campground ... Experience working in security and/or law enforcement, and/or working in an RV environment, is a ...

New

... and parking regulations, respond to calls for service, and investigate incidents and traffic accidents; collect and preserve evidence and prepare reports and case files; provide law enforcement ...

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Showing results 1-20

Park Ranger Law Enforcement information

See Indiana salary details

$11

$19

$37

How much do park ranger law enforcement jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for park ranger law enforcement in Indiana is $19.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $20.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a park ranger law enforcement?

Park Ranger Law Enforcement officers are specialized park rangers who are commissioned to enforce laws and regulations within national, state, or local parks. Their duties include protecting park resources, ensuring visitor safety, investigating crimes, conducting patrols, and providing emergency response. They also educate the public about park rules and conservation efforts. These officers often carry firearms and have arrest authority, making their role crucial for maintaining order and preserving the integrity of natural and cultural resources.

What are some common challenges faced by park ranger law enforcement officers in balancing conservation duties with public safety responsibilities?

Park Ranger Law Enforcement officers often face the unique challenge of balancing the protection of natural resources with ensuring visitor safety and compliance with park regulations. This can involve making difficult decisions, such as enforcing rules that may not be popular with the public or intervening in potentially dangerous situations like wildlife encounters or illegal activities. Rangers must remain vigilant and adaptable, often working in remote areas with limited backup, which requires strong problem-solving skills and independence. Collaboration with other agencies and park staff is essential to effectively manage incidents, provide educational outreach, and maintain a safe, welcoming environment for all visitors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a park ranger law enforcement officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Park Ranger Law Enforcement Officer, you need a solid understanding of natural resource management, law enforcement procedures, and public safety protocols, typically supported by a relevant degree and completion of law enforcement training such as the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Proficiency with GIS mapping tools, incident reporting systems, and two-way radio communication is commonly required. Excellent interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and sound judgment help you effectively engage with the public and handle challenging situations. These competencies are crucial for protecting natural resources, enforcing laws, and ensuring the safety of park visitors and staff.

What is the difference between Park Ranger Law Enforcement vs Park Ranger Naturalist?

AspectPark Ranger Law EnforcementPark Ranger Naturalist
Required CredentialsCPR, First Aid, Law Enforcement Certifications, sometimes police academy trainingInterpretive certifications, environmental education credentials
Work EnvironmentLaw enforcement settings, patrols, enforcing lawsEducational programs, visitor centers, nature tours
Employer & IndustryFederal, state parks with law enforcement dutiesNational, state parks focusing on education and conservation
Common Search/ComparisonYesNo

Park Ranger Law Enforcement roles focus on law enforcement, safety, and enforcement of regulations, requiring law enforcement certifications. In contrast, Park Ranger Naturalists emphasize education, interpretation, and conservation efforts. Both roles work in parks but serve different functions based on their training and responsibilities.

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

Becoming a park ranger law enforcement officer can be competitive, as it often requires relevant education, law enforcement experience, and passing physical and background checks. Candidates typically need certifications such as CPR and first aid, and the hiring process may involve multiple steps including interviews and training. Strong communication skills and knowledge of laws and regulations are also important.

What disqualifies you from being a park ranger law enforcement?

Disqualifications for a park ranger law enforcement position typically include a felony conviction, certain misdemeanor offenses, or a history of illegal drug use. Candidates must also meet physical fitness standards, possess a valid driver's license, and pass background checks and drug tests. Additionally, a lack of relevant certifications or training can be a disqualifier.

What are popular job titles related to Park Ranger Law Enforcement jobs in Indiana?

For Park Ranger Law Enforcement jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Park Ranger Law Enforcement job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,895 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

$40K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

You will serve as a Park Ranger (I) with National Park Service.Qualifications:All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/31/2026-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:
Experience: To qualify, 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 includes interpretive duties such as leading groups, public speaking, front desk visitor interactions, answering phones, giving directions. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
Education: Successful completion of at least 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of related course work. You must include transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes law enforcement duties for the protection, conservation, use, and management of natural and/or cultural resources in park areas or similar operations, which involved the application of law enforcement authorities and procedures to protect visitors and resources. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
Education: Successful completion of at least 1 full academic year of graduate education related to the occupation or superior academic achievement*. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience as listed above. A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. You must include transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes law enforcement duties for the protection, conservation, use, and management of natural and/or cultural resources in park areas or similar operations, which involved the application of law enforcement authorities and procedures to protect visitors and resources; providing law enforcement or investigative services which include apprehending, detaining, detection, and prosecution of individuals; applying knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and areas of jurisdiction when serving as a person with law enforcement authority; responding to accidents, emergencies, and/or natural disaster; using precautionary methods and techniques while patrolling to mitigate any crimes or violations of the law. 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. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience as listed above. A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 24. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. You must include transcripts.


*Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a directly related field AND meet one of the following: (1) Class Standing: rank in the upper 3rd of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on the completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (GPA): earn a GPA of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field, or the required courses completed during the final two years. Note: GPA will be rounded to the one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9; OR (3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society.
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. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualificationsEmployment Type: OTHER