Park Ranger Jobs are Scarce - If You Love the Outdoors, Take a Shot

Park Rangers are people who preserve and protect parklands. Parklands could be national, state, or local parks and could also include historical sites or recreational areas not commonly referred to as parks. Depending on the park and the location, park rangers may have police powers and might be expected to enforce park rules, as well as governing laws in that area. They are nearly always trained in first aid, and can administer emergency treatment in cases of snakebites or allergic reactions to plants or insect bites, as well as giving life-saving CPR treatment when needed.

As a park ranger, you would more than likely spend time instructing and teaching civilians on the proper way to care for nature's resources, including warnings on limiting contact with wild animals commonly found in parks and the proper way to start and extinguish campfires. You may even hold outdoor classes, instructing people on the various types of trees and plants found in the park. You may also be expected to help maintain park facilities and in certain cases, may also be responsible for administrative duties in regards to park budgets, policies, or human resources duties. Occasionally park rangers will be asked to relocate, or will be assigned temporary duty in another park, as parks are closed and others opened. Although most of the time park rangers are stationary, because many are federal employees, there's always the possibility of being transferred to another area. In advanced positions, park rangers are also involved in the planning and construction of parks.

Although for most park ranger positions, there is no requirement for formal education beyond high school, park rangers often find that they advance faster or can start in a higher position if they further their education before applying for the job. A major in natural resource management, natural or earth science, or park and recreation management (or any other related field) is usually beneficial to job applicants.

The average salary for a park ranger is around $30,000 a year and often the working conditions are not ideal, as park rangers must be outside most of the time and work in all kinds of weather. In other words, a park ranger is usually the type of person who loves the outdoors, no matter the weather, and is dedicated to preserving our natural habitat. Federally employed park rangers are a decreasing lot, however, as in 2007 federal parks were ordered to slash 20% of their budgets, meaning that many ranger jobs have been and will continue to be terminated. This trend is expected to continue into the year 2014, meaning that competition for ranger jobs is fierce. Only those with some higher education or experience are likely to have a decent chance at a job in this field.

Regardless, if you enjoy nature and want to do your part to preserve the environment, it might be worth your time to pursue this career choice, especially if you have some background that would help you get the job.