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Park Ranger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ranger I/II

Santa Cruz, CA ยท On-site

$5.1K - $7.2K/mo

... park operation and maintenance tasks; may be directed to lead a task or project and performs related duties as assigned. Ranger I salary range is $4,780 - $6,725 monthly ($27.58 - $38.80 hourly ...

Park Ranger Recruit

Sacramento, CA ยท On-site

$68K/yr

Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 6/22/26, 7/20/26, 8/17/26, 9/21/26, 10/19/26, 11/16/26, 12/14/26 Under close supervision, the Park Ranger Recruit participates in a basic law enforcement ...

Ranger

Cathedral City, CA ยท On-site

$18 - $22.25/hr

Ranger With a culture of recognition and reputation for excellence, ELS is the ideal organization in which to develop a long and successful career! ELS is hiring for the position of Ranger in ...

Ranger

Cathedral City, CA ยท On-site

$18 - $22.25/hr

Ranger With a culture of recognition and reputation for excellence, ELS is the ideal organization in which to develop a long and successful career! ELS is hiring for the position of Ranger in ...

Ranger

Cathedral City, CA

$18.25 - $22.50/hr

As a Ranger, you will help maintain a safe, welcoming, and well-organized community environment. This role includes monitoring property access, conducting routine patrols, assisting guests and ...

Ranger

Cathedral City, CA ยท On-site

$18.25 - $22.50/hr

As a Ranger, you will help maintain a safe, welcoming, and well-organized community environment. This role includes monitoring property access, conducting routine patrols, assisting guests and ...

Showing results 21-40

Park Ranger information

See California salary details

$11

$20

$39

How much do park ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for park ranger in California is $20.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $21.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do park rangers do?

Park rangers often work for federal or state governments and are responsible for caring for and protecting woodlands, forests and conservatories. Most of their days are spent outdoors patrolling campgrounds, trails, and various park areas. Park rangers sometimes give tours and answer questions from guests and visitors in the park. They also play a key role in search and rescue missions when needed.

What is a park ranger?

Park rangers are professionals responsible for protecting and managing national, state, or local parks and natural resources. Their duties include enforcing park rules, ensuring visitor safety, conducting educational programs, maintaining trails and facilities, and monitoring wildlife and ecosystems. Park rangers also play a vital role in conservation efforts and may assist in search and rescue operations. They work in a variety of environments, from forests to historical sites, to ensure that these areas are preserved for future generations.

What are some common challenges park rangers face during peak visitor seasons, and how are they managed?

During peak visitor seasons, Park Rangers often experience increased workloads due to higher numbers of visitors, which can lead to challenges such as crowd management, ensuring visitor safety, and protecting natural resources from overuse. Effective communication, teamwork, and proactive planning are essential to manage these challenges. Rangers may coordinate with volunteers and other staff, implement visitor education programs, and enforce regulations more strictly to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all. Adaptability and strong problem-solving skills are key to successfully navigating the busy season.

What is the difference between Park Ranger vs Forest Technician?

AspectPark RangerForest Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certifications in first aid or law enforcementAssociate's degree in forestry, environmental science, or related field
Work EnvironmentNational or state parks, recreation areas, visitor centersForests, conservation areas, fieldwork sites
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies managing parks and recreationForestry services, conservation agencies, government
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Park Rangers and Forest Technicians both work in outdoor environments related to natural resource management. While Park Rangers focus on visitor safety, education, and park preservation, Forest Technicians assist with forest management, data collection, and conservation projects. Both roles often require knowledge of environmental policies and outdoor skills, but Park Rangers typically have more public interaction, whereas Forest Technicians are more involved in fieldwork and technical tasks.

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

To thrive as a Park Ranger, you need knowledge of environmental science, resource management, and law enforcement procedures, usually supported by a degree in a related field or relevant certifications. Familiarity with GPS mapping tools, radio communication systems, and first aid certifications is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, and a passion for conservation help you engage with visitors and handle emergencies effectively. These skills ensure the safety of park resources and visitors while fostering educational and enjoyable park experiences.
What are the most commonly searched types of Park Ranger jobs in California? The most popular types of Park Ranger jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Park Ranger jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Park Ranger jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Park Ranger jobs? Cities in California with the most Park Ranger job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Park Ranger jobs in CA? For Park Ranger jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Park Ranger job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, and 47% Part Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,414 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Ranger I/II

City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA โ€ข On-site

$5.1K - $7.2K/mo

Other

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Ranger II Position

The current vacancy is for Ranger II in the Water Recreation Division of the Water Department at the Loch Lomond Recreation Area at 100 Loch Lomond Way in Felton. Under supervision, the Ranger I/II assists with the protection and preservation, general maintenance and enhancement of the recreation and open space areas, facilities and city properties and/or watershed facilities in the Water Department. Provides information and visitor services and assistance to the public in the use of the facilities and areas; performs resource management projects, patrols assigned areas to ensure compliance with municipal rules and regulations; responds to emergency medical situations; may oversee seasonal employees or volunteers responsible for routine park operation and maintenance tasks; may be directed to lead a task or project and performs related duties as assigned.

Ranger I salary range is $4,780 - $6,725 monthly ($27.58 - $38.80 hourly) Ranger II salary range is $5,142 - $7,234 monthly ($29.67 - $41.73 hourly) (CURRENT VACANCY) The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular and Temporary Ranger I/II vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director. Recruitment #27-003

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

  • On Thursday, 08/06/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
  1. Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.
  • Week of 08/10 and 08/17/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 08/28/26.
  • Week of 08/31 and 09/07/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function Under supervision, assists with the protection and preservation, general maintenance and enhancement of the recreation and open space areas, facilities and city properties and/or watershed facilities in the Water Department. Provides information and visitor services and assistance to the public in the use of the facilities and areas; performs resource management projects, patrols assigned areas to ensure compliance with municipal rules and regulations; responds to emergency medical situations; may oversee seasonal employees or volunteers responsible for routine park operation and maintenance tasks; may be directed to lead a task or project and performs related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics The Ranger I classification is the next advancement in the series from the Ranger Assistant classification. The Ranger I classification is also considered a training classification requiring additional on the job training to reach a higher level of competency in experience, skills and education. After demonstrating proficiency at the Ranger I level, incumbents are expected to advance to the Ranger II level in the Ranger series. The Ranger II classification is the full journey level classification in the Ranger series. Incumbents at this level are capable of performing the full range of the Ranger duties for which they have trained and have gained experience.

The Ranger I/II is distinguished from the next lower classification of Ranger Assistant in that the latter classification performs tasks in park maintenance, and performs resource management duties, provides public assistance, and communicates and enforces rules and regulations in the recreation and watershed areas.

The Ranger I/II is distinguished from the next higher-level classification of Senior Ranger in that the latter is responsible for supervising the workgroups within the Ranger program.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below).

  • Learns the natural history of the area and applies this knowledge when performing park maintenance, operations, interpretive and protection duties.
  • Provides general information about the recreation area and its facilities to the public; may be responsible for fee collection, reservations, facility and equipment rentals, and related record-keeping; maintains supplies and inventories.
  • Provides a uniformed presence and performs patrol duties; educates and provides assistance to visitors.
  • Trains, leads and assists seasonal staff in the operation of the toll gate, park store and boat rental dock and the maintenance of related facilities.
  • Receives and processes purchases, fees, fines, or other transactions; sets up cash drawers and operates cash registers and/or point of sales equipment (POS); prepares receipts, balances money received and prepares deposits; reconciles user fees with daily receipts; maintains financial records; contacts vendors for the park store; places orders and monitors inventories.
  • May monitor water quality conditions, collect water samples, and record data from water gauges; and, may act as the shift operator for the on-site water treatment facility.
  • Ensures compliance with rules and regulations; as a public officer, may issue citations related to violation of the Municipal Code related to regional parks, recreational facilities, open space, and/or watershed lands.
  • Responds to citizen complaints, resolves conflicts, and writes incident reports; contacts appropriate law enforcement agencies for assistance, as necessary.
  • Provides first response emergency services within established response areas, including administering emergency medical aid, and completes incident reports; may perform fire watch activities, and may provide fire suppression support upon request from the Fire Department; may assist with emergency response operations outside of established response areas.
  • Constructs and maintains parks and open space facilities, such as buildings, picnic areas, signs, irrigation systems, turf, trails, fuel breaks, fences, gates and grounds; plans and constructs exhibits; may place orders for equipment, materials, and services; performs maintenance and repair work on facilities and structures, including minor carpentry, plumbing and painting; may clean restrooms and empty trash receptacles; may operate and maintain various types of power tools, construction equipment and vehicles, including tractors, tractor accessories, trailers, fire equipment, vessels and reservoir maintenance equipment.
  • Assists with the development of interpretive flyers, programs and exhibits concerning natural history, operations, and resource management practices in open space lands; assists with developing and conducting interpretive talks and hikes on natural history and/or water resource topics for park visitors, local schools and the public.
  • Assists with resource management by observing and reporting environmental hazards, such as slides, erosion, and disease and insect activity in trees; recommends removal of hazardous trees and eradication of undesirable flora; performs open space maintenance operations and resource management projects.
  • As directed, may be assigned to direct and train, lower-level Ranger employees and volunteers.
  • May be assigned to assist with the coordination efforts in support of facility operations.
  • Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
Working Conditions

Position requires: prolonged sitting, standing, and walking on uneven and slippery surfaces, including mountain trails; reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when patrolling parks, inspecting work and operating assigned equipment. The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 80 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works outdoors and in all weather conditions, including rain, heat and cold. The job duties may expose the employee to blood-borne pathogens, certain types of insect and rodent borne disease, dermatitis caused by poison oak, fumes, dust, air contaminants, stinging insects, mountain lions, feral pigs, and rattlesnakes. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and construction equipment, and respond to emergency situations to provide rescue assistance or fight fires. Some positions may require the incumbent to work around a reservoir and operate watercraft. The incumbent may be required to respond to after-hours emergency call outs.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience