Job Description for Forest Ranger
Students who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, working with people and providing protection could explore a career as a forest ranger. Duties involve maintaining forest safety and teaching forest guidelines. These professionals spend time with tourists, teachers and government officials. Forest rangers may at times lead a solitary life when they have no classes or tours scheduled.
Other People Are Reading
-
Duties
-
Forest rangers perform law enforcement duties in federal and state park settings. According to a 2010 report on Job Profiles career site, forest rangers enforce laws affecting people and wildlife. Duties include checking campsites and preventing illegal acts. Rangers also have educational duties. Some forest rangers conduct classes and give informative tours describing different types of plants and wildlife. Tours could include government groups, students and teachers. In addition, rangers may carry out restoration of the forest, planting trees or preventing soil erosion.
Educational Requirements
-
State and federal employers usually hire forest ranger applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. College majors applicable to this career include forestry, biology and environmental science. A formal forestry program could involve courses as diverse as animal adaptations, prevention of forest fires and researching tree diseases.
-
Additional Qualifications
-
The forest ranger position requires job applicants who are healthy and able to react to dangerous situations, which might include forest fires or animal attacks. Some employers require a security background check and drug testing. Security checks can involve reviewing educational requirements, confirming employment history and checking work references. In some positions, applicants may need to learn how to use a firearm.
Work Environment
-
Forest rangers may spend at least part of their time in an office environment. Some indoor time allows them to review work schedules and fill out accident reports. But the majority of their time will likely be spent outdoors, sometimes in remote wilderness areas. Rangers work in all types of weather including rain storms or intense heat. They may need protective gear in some circumstances. Work schedules include daytime hours and weekends for conducting nature lessons or tours.
Salary
-
According to a 2010 report on PayScale.com, forest rangers earn an average annual salary between $25,805 and $39,814. These figures include base salary and bonus income. The same salary reports shows rangers receiving benefits such as health insurance.
A similar report on Simply Hired job site provides state-based salary data. A New York-based forest ranger earns an average annual salary of $41,000, while a Wyoming-based forest ranger's average annual salary is $31,000.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit In the Forest image by Kemper Boyd from Fotolia.com
