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Park Service Ranger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PARK RANGER

Orland, CA ยท On-site

$74K/yr

... service. About the Position: This position serves as Lead Ranger and senior advisor to the ... park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences ...

PARK RANGER

Orland, CA ยท On-site

$74K/yr

... service. About the Position: This position serves as Lead Ranger and senior advisor to the ... park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences ...

PARK RANGER

Orland, CA ยท On-site +1

$74K - $97K/yr

Administer service contracts. * Serve as an Ordering Officer and make over-the-counter purchases or ... park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences ...

Park Ranger Assistant

Sacramento, CA ยท On-site

$37K - $45K/yr

... the Park Ranger Assistant provides assistance and support services to the County Regional Parks ... Principles and practices of customer service * Operation of modern office equipment Ability to

PARK RANGER

Porterville, CA ยท On-site

$40K/yr

You will plan and execute programs in recreation management, visitor assistance and services ... explaining park project rules and regulations, answering visitor questions and providing ...

Park Ranger Recruit

Sacramento, CA ยท On-site

$68K/yr

... Park Ranger Recruit participates in a basic law enforcement training program including a State of ... County of Sacramento Department of Personnel Services Employment Services Division 700 H Street ...

Park Ranger Recruit

Sacramento, CA ยท On-site

$68K/yr

Wear and maintain a designated Park Ranger uniform; including department issued safety equipment ... Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer ...

Park Ranger

Sacramento, CA ยท On-site

$82K - $104K/yr

... visitor services, interpretive programs, resource and wildlife protection, safety enforcement ... Wear and maintain a designated Park Ranger uniform; including department issued safety equipment ...

Showing results 21-40

Park Service Ranger information

See California salary details

$11

$20

$39

How much do park service ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for park service 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 is a Park Service Ranger?

Park Service Rangers are professionals responsible for protecting and managing national, state, or local parks and natural resources. They enforce park rules and regulations, provide educational programs to visitors, conduct search and rescue operations, and help preserve wildlife and cultural sites. Rangers may also perform maintenance tasks, respond to emergencies, and assist with conservation efforts to ensure that parks remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.

What are some typical challenges Park Service Rangers face in balancing conservation efforts with visitor engagement?

Park Service Rangers often navigate the challenge of protecting natural and cultural resources while ensuring a positive and educational experience for visitors. This balance requires clear communication, creative problem-solving, and the ability to enforce regulations tactfully. Rangers must frequently adapt to unpredictable conditions, such as sudden weather changes or high visitor volumes, while maintaining a welcoming presence. Collaboration with colleagues, volunteers, and partner organizations is also vital to achieving both conservation and public service goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Park Service Ranger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Park Service Ranger, you need a solid background in environmental science, public safety, and resource management, often supported by a relevant degree or prior experience. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, radio communication systems, and certifications in first aid or law enforcement are typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and public speaking abilities help rangers educate visitors and handle emergencies. These skills ensure the protection of natural resources, the safety of park visitors, and the delivery of effective public outreach.

What is the difference between Park Service Ranger vs Park Maintenance Worker?

AspectPark Service RangerPark Maintenance Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, park-specific training, sometimes certifications in first aid or law enforcementHigh school diploma or equivalent, basic technical skills, safety training
Work EnvironmentOutdoor parks, visitor centers, natural and historic sitesPark grounds, maintenance facilities, outdoor and indoor work areas
Employer & Industry UsageNational, state, or local parks; federal agenciesPark agencies, municipalities, conservation organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, qualifications, and responsibilitiesMaintenance tasks, job requirements, work conditions

While both roles work within park environments, Park Service Rangers focus on visitor safety, law enforcement, and educational programs, requiring specialized training. Park Maintenance Workers primarily handle upkeep, repairs, and groundskeeping. Both positions are essential for park operations but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

Can I be a park service ranger with no experience?

Park service ranger positions often require a high school diploma or equivalent, but prior experience is not always necessary. Relevant skills such as outdoor knowledge, customer service, and physical fitness can be developed on the job or through training programs. Certifications like CPR or first aid may be beneficial but are typically obtained after hiring.

How much are US park service rangers paid?

U.S. Park Service rangers typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and level of responsibility. Entry-level rangers often start at the lower end of this range, while experienced rangers or those in supervisory roles can earn higher salaries. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for advancement.

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

Becoming a park service ranger can be competitive, as it often requires relevant education, such as a degree in environmental science or related fields, and experience in outdoor or conservation work. Candidates typically need to pass background checks, physical fitness tests, and sometimes obtain certifications like CPR or first aid. The hiring process may also involve interviews and assessments of knowledge about park operations and safety procedures.

What are the most commonly searched types of Park Service Ranger jobs in California?

The most popular types of Park Service Ranger jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Park Service Ranger jobs?

Cities in California with the most Park Service Ranger job openings:

Infographic showing various Park Service Ranger job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,414 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

$50K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service at Golden Gate National Recreation Area,
The primary purpose of this position is to interpret, support, facilitate, inform and manage resources, connect visitors, learning objectives, compliance and safety, resources and understanding.
Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.Qualifications:Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/04/2026-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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following Individual Occupational Requirements:
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 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 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, Park Guide or tour leader; 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. You must include hours per week worked.
-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. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience: Combination of education and specialized experience as described above. To calculate your percentage of qualifying graduate education, divide your number of semester hours in excess of 60 semester hours by 120, or the number your school uses to represent one year of full-time graduate academic study. To calculate your percentage of experience, divide your months of qualifying specialized experience by 12. Add the two percentages. They must equal at least 100% to qualify using this option. Note: You must include a copy of your academic transcripts with your application if qualifying on education and you must include hours per week worked on your resume.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 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 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 could include park guide or tour leader; 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/or implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. You MUST include hours per week worked in your resume.
-OR-
Education: Successful completion of at least one full year of graduate study in a related filed or achieved superior academic achievement. Related fields include 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. You must include a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience: Combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. To compute this percentage, first divide the total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide the number of completed post high school semester hours of education (that are in excess of 120 semester hours) by 120. Add the two percentages together; the total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. NOTE: Only post high school education in excess of more than four-years may be used to qualify for this position and must include 24 semester hours of related course work such as those listed above. You must include a copy of your transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-09 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 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 could include park guide or tour leader; 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/or implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations. You MUST include hours per week worked in your resume.
-OR-
Education: Successful completion of at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a major 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. You must include a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-

Qualifications continued in "Education" section.

Education:QUALIFICATIONS (continued):
Combination of education and experience: Combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. To compute this percentage, first divide the total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide the number of completed graduate education semester hours of education (that are in excess of 18 semester hours) by 36. Add the two percentages together; the total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of more than one-year may be used to qualify for this position and must be in a major subject such as those listed above. You must include your 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.
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