What You Need to Do to Become a Park Ranger
A park ranger must have a passion for the great outdoors. Much of the knowledge you need may be covered in on-the-job training, but having a strong background in skills relevant to the job will help you secure a position, which in turn will keep building your knowledge and abilities.
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Camping Experience
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A park ranger must have camping and hiking experience. You should know firsthand how to use basic camping equipment, start campfires safely and keep food and other goods safe. All park rangers must have a strong grasp of good wilderness etiquette, too, which you can learn by taking a course or reading up-to-date camping manuals like "Hiking and Backpacking" by Marni Goldenberg and Bruce Martin of the Wilderness Education Association.
Relevant Work Experience and Education
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Working in jobs related to the environment or the specific job you're looking for, like cultural interpretation, will help in finding a job as a park ranger. The National Park Service prefers applicants with an educational background in a related subject, like life sciences or natural resource management. If you wish to specialize in a specific area such as law enforcement or investigation, prior experience in that field, like police work, may improve your job prospects.
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Flora and Fauna
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You should have a strong knowledge of the flora and fauna in the region where you want to work. Park rangers often act as guides or interpreters, explaining how different parts of the ecosystem work together You probably won't need to know all the Latin names of the plants, but you should be able to identify common and poisonous species. Likewise, you should be able to identify common animals in the region and their habits, and a desire to keep building your knowledge of local wildlife. Knowing about migration patterns, breeding cycles and nesting habits will help you to provide useful information to guests.
Know How to Handle Wildlife Encounters
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A park ranger must know how to diffuse potentially dangerous wildlife encounters. You should study what to do if a black bear approaches campers seeking food, for instance. You should also know how to clearly explain to campers and hikers how to handle these encounters.
Learn Rescue Skills
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You should know how to rescue people in a range of situations. First aid and CPR training may help you to find a position. You should know how to deal with a broken leg or sprained ankle, and what to do if someone has fallen or is unconscious, for example. Training in using ropes and tying knots will also boost your rescue abilities.
Stay Fit
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You must have a high level of fitness for most park ranger positions. Park rangers often patrol and care for large areas of land, and may need to cover ground quickly to respond to emergencies.
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References
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- Photo Credit hiking with friend image by sarssa from Fotolia.com
