Park Ranger Training
Park rangers oversee parks, campgrounds, forests and other areas where visitors roam, hike, picnic and tour. Rangers play a role in fire prevention and overall conservation of the land, as well as provide instruction to visitors about historic areas and monuments that may be located on the grounds. Park rangers must be educated in forestry, conservation or similar fields in order to perform their jobs competently and with appropriate levels of knowledge.
Other People Are Reading
-
College Programs
-
Select colleges across the country offer park ranger training programs as either a part of a degree program or continuing education, as seen in the program offered at Northern Arizona University (see Resources). Courses range in duration, but many span between two and three months.
On-the-Job Training
-
Park ranger training may be offered informally on the job. A novice ranger may shadow a more experienced ranger to learn the ropes.
-
Fields of Study
-
Park ranger training may include customer service training, assigning slots at public campgrounds, cutting firewood, learning proper safety regulations and how to lead a tour.
National Park Service Training
-
The National Park Service (NPS) provides their employees with both on-the-job work experience as well as specific training opportunities at some NPS locations, including West Virginia, Georgia and Arizona.
Certification
-
Certification is available after completing a formal park ranger training course through an accredited institution. Several national services, including the NPS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recognize certification, which may help open doors when applying for jobs.
-
