PARK RANGERS California Occupational Guide Number 232 Interest Area 4 1995
THE JOB
PARK RANGERS help protect our park lands and cultural heritage in urban, rural and wilderness settings and provide for the safety of park visitors. Park rangers supervise national, state, county, municipal and special district parks, historical sites, nature reserves, and recreation areas.
Park Rangers prepare exhibits and informational material about the park. They develop recreational activities, conservation programs and lead tours and nature walks to help visitors learn about the natural, cultural, and historical significance of the area. Rangers also help with conservation, habitat restoration, and ecology efforts. They study wildlife behavior, and monitor air, plant and water quality to determine and reduce effects of pollution originating both outside and inside the park.
Duties vary from routine vehicle and visitor registration, to critical emergency response. Searching for lost hikers, rescuing stranded mountain climbers, supervising fire-fighting crews and transporting persons injured in the park are typical emergency situations. Rangers are also responsible for enforcing park policies and regulations. Many Rangers are peace officers and carry firearms. As peace officers, they are responsible for law enforcement within their jurisdiction.
Some of the job duties usually associated with Park Rangers such as leading tours and nature walks are also performed by Park Ranger Assistants. Rangers may supervise these assistants as well as seasonal rangers and concession attendants.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working conditions depend on geographical locations. Park locations include forests, deserts, mountain ranges, and coastal regions. A park's terrain may vary considerably. Rangers work outdoors in all types of weather. Many work in parks and historical sites found in urban areas. In California over 77 million visitors a year visit the nearly 300 sites in the California State Park System, including parks, historical units, wilderness areas, and reserves. California State Park Rangers could find themselves working in many varied environments including the splendor of the Hearst Castle, in the shadow of the sawmill at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma, or among the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Torrey Pines State Park near San Diego.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. These figures represent the broad occupational group Compliance Officers and Enforcement Inspectors that includes Park Rangers.
Estimated number of workers in 1990 21,240 Estimated number of workers in 2005 22,610 Projected Growth Percentage 1990-2005 7% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 5,200
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
The State Park Cadet is the entry level classification for Park Ranger for the State of California. The beginning salary for this position is $26,460. After successfully completing an 18 week extensive training program, the cadet is promoted to Park Ranger I at a salary of $27,564. After two years the salary goes up to $32,820. Rangers employed by the federal government start at $19,407 annually. After one year federal salaries increase to $21,631 annually and after two years, to $24,038 annually. Counties, municipalities, and special districts generally follow State salary rates. Rangers work 40 hours a week with frequent overtime and weekend work in summer when the use of the parks increases. Rangers are compensated for extra hours worked. Fringe benefits include paid vacations, holidays, sick leave, health insurance, and retirement benefits.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Some Park Ranger positions require a bachelor's degree. A master's degree is especially helpful for advancement into supervisory positions. Other positions permit persons with appropriate work experience or a combination of work experience and college course work to qualify for job openings. Some municipal and special district park systems have jobs as varied as gardener and "park patrol specialist" that could possibly lead to a Park Ranger position. However, almost all recently hired Park Rangers possess a bachelor's degree. College degrees in park and recreation management, business or public administration, or the natural sciences are preferred. Completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified police academy course could be advantageous for job seekers applying to agencies that require Rangers to have peace officer status.
Personal attributes helpful in the Park Ranger career field include interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, and the ability to think clearly -- especially in emergency situations.
ADVANCEMENT
Promotion to supervisory positions such as Federal District Ranger or State Park Manager requires additional experience and related graduate level courses. These positions usually require Rangers to spend more time indoors preparing reports, budgets and schedules. They often train and supervise other park personnel. Advancement is based on managerial and public relations skills, as well as experience and successful completion of written promotional examinations. Counties, municipalities, and special districts use similar systems but may not always use written tests as a part of the procedure.
FINDING THE JOB
Persons thinking about a career as Park Ranger should consider applying for part-time or seasonal work with national, State, or county parks. Although available work is usually limited to toll collection, maintenance or unskilled labor positions, these jobs provide an opportunity to determine the suitability of a career choice, make contacts in the field, and actually begin the professional path to Ranger. Volunteer positions are also frequently available and provide similar opportunities.
Job seekers should apply at county, city and special park district personnel offices and at college placement offices. For State positions, applicants should contact the California State Personnel Board; for federal Park Service jobs, the Western Regional Office of the National Park Service in San Francisco. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements and who pass the required tests are placed on eligibility lists. Openings are filled from these lists.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Personnel Office National Park Service Western Regional Office 600 Harrison Street, Suite 600 San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 744-3888
Personnel Office California Department of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 2390, Sacramento, CA 95811 (916) 653-4788
Personnel and Recruitment County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation 433 South Vermont Avenue Los Angeles CA 90020 (213) 738-2995
County of Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation 4040 Bradshaw Road Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 366-2072
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Foresters No. 202 Recreation Leaders No. 357 Conservation Workers No. 447 Fish and Game Wardens No. 448
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Park Ranger 169.167-042
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Compliance Officers and Enforcement Inspector except Construction. 219110
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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