How to Become a United States Park Ranger
According to the National Park Service, park rangers "perform a wide variety of duties in managing parks, historical sites, and recreational areas." Working as a park ranger is a way to challenge yourself while making sure that your work is never boring. Whether managing fire control within forests or demonstrating folk art at a historical site, the work of a park ranger involves a wide range of outdoor activities.
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Instructions
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Receive an education that qualifies you to work as a United States park ranger. The desired undergraduate educational experience includes programs like natural resource management, archeology, public administration and law enforcement; because the duties of a park ranger are so varied, you can apply for positions with a wide variety of degrees.
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Contact the office that has jurisdiction over the area in which you are interested in working. Inquire about any vacant positions and ask about the prospects for vacancies in the future if there are none at present. Keep in touch with the office until there is a vacancy in the area. Consider taking summer or other seasonal positions if they are available so you can demonstrate your skills to your potential supervisors.
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Visit the federal government's official job site (see Resources) and search for any vacancies with the National Park Service if you are not interested in working as a park ranger in any particular area. Note that many jobs posted here are available only to those with certain government status, but any posting that is listed for "All qualified applicants" is open to the public.
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Apply for and take the Administrative Careers With America exam through the Office of Personnel Management. Park rangers fall under the "Group VI, Law Enforcement and Investigation" examination in this program, so this is the exam you have to take. Perform as well as possible on this test, as it is potentially the best avenue for employment with the National Park Service for those who have no prior government experience.
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Tips & Warnings
Becoming a park ranger can be a long process; there are many more applicants that positions.
