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State Park Ranger Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger

Rufus, OR · On-site +1

$40K - $80K/yr

Serves as a Park Ranger for a major water resource project. Performs a variety of assignments ... Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid State Driver's License at time of appointment.

Ranger

Welches, OR · On-site

$19 - $23.25/hr

Ranger Position With a culture of recognition and reputation for excellence, ELS is the ideal ... state and federal law. Your job will include: * Monitor the property with a keen eye for any ...

Ranger

Welches, OR

$19 - $23.25/hr

ELS is hiring for the position of Ranger in Welches, Oregon. What you'll do: The Campground ... state and federal law. Your job will include: * Monitor the property with a keen eye for any ...

State Park Ranger information

See Oregon salary details

$12

$21

$41

How much do state park ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for state park ranger in Oregon is $21.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $22.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a state park ranger?

State Park Rangers are professionals responsible for protecting and managing state parks and natural resources. Their duties often include enforcing park rules, educating visitors, ensuring public safety, conducting search and rescue operations, maintaining park facilities, and protecting wildlife and habitats. They may also lead tours, provide information about the park's history and ecology, and respond to emergencies. State Park Rangers play a vital role in preserving natural and cultural resources while making parks enjoyable and safe for visitors.

Can I be a state park ranger with no experience?

State park ranger positions typically require some level of training or experience in areas such as law enforcement, conservation, or customer service. While prior experience is beneficial, many agencies offer training programs and may consider candidates with relevant skills or a willingness to learn. Certifications like CPR or first aid can also improve eligibility.

Is it easy to get a job as a State Park Ranger?

Becoming a State Park Ranger typically requires relevant education, such as a degree in natural resources or environmental science, and experience in outdoor or law enforcement roles. Competition can be moderate to high, and candidates often need to pass background checks, physical fitness tests, and sometimes obtain certifications like CPR or first aid. Strong communication skills and knowledge of park regulations are also important for success in the hiring process.

How much are US park rangers paid?

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

What is the difference between State Park Ranger vs Forest Ranger?

AspectState Park RangerForest Ranger
CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, sometimes required certificationsHigh school diploma or GED, often with forestry or environmental certifications
Work EnvironmentState parks, recreational areas, visitor centersForests, national forests, wilderness areas
Employer & IndustryState government agencies managing parksFederal or state agencies managing forests and public lands
Job FocusVisitor safety, park maintenance, educational programsForest conservation, fire prevention, resource management

While both roles involve outdoor work and public interaction, State Park Rangers primarily focus on managing state parks and ensuring visitor safety, whereas Forest Rangers concentrate on forest conservation and resource management in forested areas. The credentials and work environments overlap, but their specific responsibilities differ based on the setting.

What are some common challenges faced by state park rangers during peak visitor seasons?

During peak visitor seasons, State Park Rangers often manage increased foot traffic, ensuring visitor safety while protecting natural resources. This can involve crowd control, educating the public about park rules, responding to emergencies, and enforcing regulations. Rangers must balance hospitality with enforcement, all while working long hours outdoors and sometimes dealing with unpredictable weather. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential to handle conflicts and maintain a positive park experience for everyone.

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

To thrive as a State Park Ranger, you need knowledge of natural resource management, law enforcement, and emergency response, usually supported by a degree in environmental science or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, two-way radios, and certifications like CPR/First Aid are typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and public relations skills set outstanding rangers apart. These skills ensure visitor safety, resource protection, and positive public engagement within the park environment.

What are popular job titles related to State Park Ranger jobs in Oregon?

For State Park Ranger jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching State Park Ranger jobs in Oregon look for?

The top searched job categories for State Park Ranger jobs in Oregon are:

Infographic showing various State Park Ranger job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,439 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

$40K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Summary
About the Position: Serves as a Park Ranger for a major water resource project. Performs a variety of assignments involving all aspects of project operations including natural resources, recreation, and wildlife habitat management.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • Participates in conservation, preservation, restoration and use of project natural and cultural resources.
  • Enforces Title 36 CFR by educating the visiting public on project purposes, conditions, policies, and regulations.
  • Patrols project lands and waters to prevent unauthorized use, trespass, destruction of project land, water, facilities, and other environmental resources.
  • Participates in the development of various planning documents including Master Plans and Operational Management Plans (OMP), for management of natural resources.
  • Conducts public relations services for the general public and for special groups.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Required to wear prescribed uniform as identified in regulation, ER 1130-2-550, dated 15 November 1996. Must wear appropriate safety gear and protective clothing as required.
  • Must meet the Park Ranger training requirements as identified in the Career Development Guide for Civil Works Natural Resources Management Team Members.
  • Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid State Driver's License at time of appointment.
  • Incumbent is required to have and maintain a Corps of Engineers boat operator's license within 1 year of appointment.
  • Ability to work nights and/or weekends depending on the needs of the project to which the employee is assigned.
  • Required to have, or be able to obtain within 6 months of hire, a valid CPR Certificate and First Aid Certificate.
  • Possession of or the ability to acquire Citation Authority within one year of hire.
  • Occasional overnight travel required (approximately 10%) for training, conferences and rotational assignments.
  • This position requires a pre-employment physical, and every three years thereafter.

Qualifications
Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Specialized Experience GS-05: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Applying knowledge of environmental, recreational, or natural resource management sufficient to carry out daily activities; and 2) Providing visitor assistance based on conditions, policies, and regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).
OR
Education: Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours of related course work in 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.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: 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 your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages.
Specialized Experience GS-07: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Applying knowledge of environmental, recreational, or natural resource management sufficient to carry out daily activities; 2) Providing visitor assistance based on conditions, policies, and regulations; and 3) Enforcing park rules and regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education with major study in 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.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed 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 in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.;OR(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/).
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: 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.
Specialized Experience GS-09: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Applying knowledge of environmental, recreational, and natural resource management sufficient to carry out daily activities; 2) Providing visitor assistance based on conditions, policies, and regulations; and 3) Enforcing park and safety rules and regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education with major study in 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.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: 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) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Time in Grade Requirement GS-07: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-05).
Time in Grade Requirement GS-09: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07).
Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest nontemporary competitive appointment.
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • Management may make selections at any grade level. Promotion to the next grade will be at management's discretion following completion of time-in-grade requirements, training, fully successful performance, and acquired and demonstrated experience.
  • Advanced-in-Hire, Enhanced Leave Accrual, Student Loan Repayment, or Recruitment/Relocation incentive MAY be authorized if determined to be in the best interest of the government.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
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About Army Corps of Engineers

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Industry

National security, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US