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Park Service Ranger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... visitor services, interpretive programs, resource and wildlife protection, safety enforcement ... Park Ranger uniform; including department issued safety equipment such as a duty/gun belt ...

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 ... Exceptional customer service and communications skills and a friendly demeanor. * Experience ...

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 ... Exceptional customer service and communications skills and a friendly demeanor. * Experience ...

Ranger

Jamul, CA ยท On-site

$17 - $17.75/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 ...

Ranger

Paicines, CA ยท On-site

$16.60/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 ...

Ranger

Paso Robles, CA ยท On-site

$20/hr

Rangers provide excellent customer service to prospective and current guests in the resort at all ... Identity Theft Protection Insurance Commuter benefits including transit & parking * Pet Insurance

Chief Ranger

Sacramento, CA ยท On-site

$9.3K - $13K/mo

The State Park Superintendent III (Chief Ranger) serves as the district-level leader for all public safety, law enforcement, emergency services, and ranger operations throughout the Sonoma Mendocino ...

Ranger

Paso Robles, CA ยท On-site

$19/hr

Rangers provide excellent customer service to prospective and current guests in the resort at all ... Commuter benefits including transit & parking * Pet Insurance * PTO and Payroll Incentives for ...

Park Ranger (Temporary/Part-Time)

Downey, CA ยท On-site

$18.40 - $22.40/hr

... park patrons. Working Hours: Incumbents must be able to work an average of twenty-four (24) hours ... Provide information and assistance to the public regarding City services, programs, and special ...

Rangers provide excellent customer service to prospective and current guests in the resort at all ... Commuter benefits including transit & parking * Pet Insurance * PTO and Payroll Incentives for ...

Tribal Ranger

Temecula, CA ยท On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Under the general direction of a Ranger Sergeant, the Ranger is expected to perform public safety ... Rangers are first responders to any calls for service or on site observation requiring public ...

Property Description: Redwood Canyon Golf Course is celebrated as one of the Bay Area's most enjoyable golf destinations. Located in Castro Valley, the 18-hole golf facility is nestled away among the ...

Ranger

Jamul, CA ยท On-site

$17 - $17.75/hr

ELS is hiring for the position of Ranger in Jamul, California. What you'll do: The Campground ... Performs on-call emergency service as required. * Performs other duties as assigned. Skills ...

Showing results 41-60

Park Service Ranger information

See California salary details

$11

$20

$39

How much do park service ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 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.

Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation) (Deputy Chief of Interpretation)

Contact Us - National Parks of New York Harbor (U.S. National Park Service)

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$133K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 10 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Oversee the Interpretive Operations Branch, including managing staff at four park sites.

  • Coordinate interpretive operations across divisions and partners, and direct visitor centers.

  • Implement public programming, ensure health and safety of employees, and manage collaborative projects.


Job description

You will serve as the Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation) (Deputy Chief of Interpretation) at Golden Gate National Recreation Area with National Park Service. This position oversees the Interpretive Operations Branch which includes permanent & seasonal staff located at 4 park sites. This includes coordinating operations across divisions and partners, directing visitor centers, implementing public programming, ensuring health and safety of employees, and managing collaborative projects.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.

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, supervising volunteers, interns, and youth work groups and assisting with oversight of seasonal staff, implementing a visitor services program, providing visitor services and develops guidelines and operating methods that reflect a thorough understanding of agency policies and objectives, developing and conducting interpretive presentations, and training staff and volunteers; presenting to a wide variety of audiences using a variety of fully developed interpretive skills, techniques, and tools delivered in person and through interpretive media and technology. Experience may have been in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park related work, which include, but are not limited to, 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; or other similar work. You must include hours per week worked.


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:This position does not allow substituting education for experience.Employment Type: OTHER