I was hired for my second season as a seasonal interpretive ranger that was supposed to begin April 19.

Everything was submitted on time, but apparently I had made two mistakes on my SF86 form.

On April 14, my Investigator emailed me and said something along the lines of upon further review of your Eapp submission. The following information is being requested by the DCSA as soon as possible -

And then the Investigator list two bullet points that I need to amend - first to make my employment history more accurately reflect the résumé that I supplied,

and two - to switch a position that I listed as volunteering for the federal government as being employed by the federal government.

I responded to this email within 20 minutes. The Investigator did not reply.

I waited 24 hours and reached out to my supervisor. She said to send another email to the Investigator so I did. And by the close of business that day when the Investigator had not replied to me, I also sent a voicemail to her phone number listed on the email. Again, no reply.

My start date came and went and my hiring manager pushed my start date back to May 3.

As of this morning, there is still no clarification provided on how I can best provide this information. I assumed that they would kick back my SF 86 for me to edit. But I have since been informed that the Investigator probably doesn’t have the ability to do that.

I reached out to my superintendent for the park I will be working at and also their chief of administration and they said to wait a little longer for the Investigator to reply that there is a known delay.

I feel like this situation might have a simple fix that I don’t know due to my inexperience and I really am excited to get started with my second season. I have actually attended the week of training (that I would’ve missed) on my own dime. And I really just want to know how to proceed here.

Can anyone send some light on this situation? I would appreciate it very much.

Title. I have been stacking concurrent internships at a park (no bachelor’s degree yet) and am curious about resources for job boards that are not USA Jobs; think conservancies, non-profits, nature camps, etc. specifically for the winter season. Thanks!

I've worked for a couple National Parks over the last ten 14 years, and one was pretty strict about jewlery and nail polish, etc, while the other wasn't at all. I'm curious if this has more to do with things changing over time or the superintendent/supervisors discretion. I'll be working at my third park this spring and am wondering what to expect.

I plan on going to college and I’m looking into majoring in environmental science or something in that area. Im just wondering if anyone has tips on how to get in the direction to become a mounted ranger as I haven’t been able to find much on it.

Hi everyone! I'm trying to find a summer job and had put in an application to work renting out boats at a state park, but they thought I'd be a better fit for a seasonal interpreter job (I'm a college student trying to get into some kind of outdoorsy field). It sounded great to me but I think I might be in over my head a little bit. They scheduled me today for an interview in two days, and I have to have a 5-minute interpretive program prepared. I do not have much time to figure this out! Does anyone have any tips for me? I am very excited but very nervous!

Hi all, I’m not sure if this is the right subreddit but I thought people on here might know the answer to this question

I’m starting a position at a state park (Indiana) on Monday as an interpretive specialist. This is my first job in this field, I’m a 19 year old taking a gap year to save for college and this is only my 3rd job ever (DQ and 2.5 years at a vet clinic previously) so I have 0 experience in a job like this. Honestly I’m not even sure why they hired me, I have great customer service skills but not much more than that.

The listing on indeed didn’t specify that it was full time and I didn’t think to ask so now I’m unsure

My expected days to be working are thurs-sun and they said mon-weds as needed. I’m coming from a vet clinic where I was also working 4 days a week, but those were 10 hour days and it’s not sounding like that would be the case at this state park. I can get a second job pretty easily at the DQ I used to work at but I really don’t want to if I don’t have to because fast food sucks 😔 but also I’m saving for out of state college so I can’t afford part time so really I’d love any input or advice

im kind of stuck on what i want to do in terms of getting a degree or not. so im trying to understand how the payment scale works and if its possible to quickly start at a GS-5 or so without a degree. if anyone else has done this without any higher education, please help me out!

When I begin searching for jobs, I will have a Master Wildlife Conservationist certification (which requires lots of volunteering) through my state, and I am aiming for CPR and EMT training since I am looking more towards the law enforcement/emergency side of things. (obviously would be attending a training academy for LE if i go down that path) Are these all most likely going to be helpful in achieving a higher pay level quickly?

What pay level did you start off at, and what experience did you go into it with? If you started on the lower end, how long did it take you to work your way up?

Just curious

I’m currently in college and was looking at some jobs back at home. I really like nature and being outside. But I have 0 experience being a park ranger. I have a degree in computer science and I’m going to school for aviation so my degrees are unrelated.

It’s part time? $17 an hour and provides housing. I’m interested in the position but before applying I wanted to reach out here and get everyone’s opinion. Is this a good summer job?

Howdy everyone! I just got an Education Technician position at a very poppin park. I’m so excited but also the nerves are building. I’ve been an interpretive ranger for two seasons at a very small national monument and we really only have one month of school field trips…does anyone else ever feel this way about these types of positions? I certainly love public lands and sharing my love for them but oh my gosh do I get anxious sometimes about teaching and being a strong and confident presenter. Any advice for this upcoming adventure is welcome ❤️❤️

Recently was hired on as a River Ranger with the NPS. Currently going through the conundrum of selecting my uniform boots. It was recommended that I get the Jungle Hiking boots off the uniform store. However, with those being advertised as "waterproof" this also means they will hold water when I inevitably have to get in the water. From my experience it would be better to have something that will drain quickly if you know you're going to be getting wet. Most boots that I have seen recommended are more of a work boot or hiking boot and won't preform well in my working environment.

TLDR:

Does anyone have an recommendations for decent hiking boots that will drain easily that are within uniform regs?

Good Afternoon y'all!

I just wanted to make a post updating anyone who did respond to or saw my last post. I interviewed for that River Ranger Position and felt like I absolutely nailed it. The interview turned into a conversation with the hiring team and was very friendly. They really liked my interpretive experience and were interested to hear a lot about the cave.

Unfortunately, I did receive a rejection about a week later, accompanied by a call from the Park Manager. He encouraged me to keep going and not give up. He even told me that I had "admittedly good interview" skills, they just went another direction. This was hard to hear, especially with how long my job hunt has been. I certainly don't hold any of this against them. If anything I was simply honored that I even got a chance to interview at the most prestigious river in my state. They have to make the best hiring decision for them after all.

I took this manager's advice and kept going and landed another ranger interview at a different state park. The process went largely the same as my last round of interviews, but this time I GOT THE JOB!! I know this subreddit is filled with more folks in the NPS or aspiring to be, but I was really excited to get the call and to finally be a State Park Ranger this summer. I'm excited to finally take on more responsibility and grow a career from this. I figured this subreddit would be filled with people who understood the relief of landing a ranger position for the first time.

Thank you to EVERYONE who gave me interview advice and the people who post their advice here. It really does make a difference.

Hi all! I recently left my PhD program back in January and have been applying to jobs. Aside from applying to jobs in my field, I applied to a few NPS jobs. I don't have the relevant work experience, but I have a BS and MS in Environmental Sciences. I was over-the-moon when I was selected for an interview to be a NPS Park Guide. Today I got the call and was offered the position. I have until Wednesday to make a decision, but I am torn.

Along with being offered this job, I strongly believe I am a top candidate for a state government agency position (just finished the background check and driving report). This job is great because it's permanent, pays well, and I would enjoy it. But another part of me thinks I'm crazy to pass up working with the NPS and see where that leads me. I've been wanting to work for the NPS for sometime now.

My question for everyone here is about the position title itself. I tried searching for older posts on this subreddit but couldn't find concrete information. I've read that it is very hard for Park Guides to become Park Rangers. (This position is 0090 grade series.) I've also read conflicting information on a Park Guide transitioning into an Interpretation Park Ranger. I just wanted to see if anyone could confirm or provide further information on this.

I would love to work for the NPS but I also want a career that offers professional growth. I'm scared having the label "Park Guide" will limit my chances of acquiring other positions with the NPS.

I have another day to make a decision and I wanted to consult here first. I'm fortunate to have another career option on standby, but I really want to see if this position is feasible for me. Thank you for your time.

I'm 32 and looking for a career change into Parks Service, specifically some type of Park Ranger. There's a job opening in NC for Park Ranger (Interpretation) GS-0025-05 *-1. I don't meet the education requirements but was wondering what the specialized experience could be.

It says

"Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Experience may have been in technical, administrative or scientific work; fish and wildlife management, recreation management, law enforcement, or other park related work. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, park guide or tour leader; environmental educator or teacher; law enforcement or investigative work; archeological or historical preservation research work; forestry and/or fire management work in a park, recreation, or conservation area; management, assistant, or program specialist work involving the development and implementation of policy related to protection, conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations; or other similar work."

I don't necessarily have these specific experiences but have experience with public speaking/working with the public (acting, working at a theme park and a ski mountain) and about 7 years of landscape/horticultural work.

Would any of this qualify me to apply, and if not are there any positions that it would qualify me for?

Thank you in advance!

I am an Interpretive Park Ranger intern this upcoming season at Teddy Roosevelt NP, and I am so, so, so excited; however, I am also incredibly stressed. What do I bring? What's going on?

I get on-site housing, but I have no clue what to bring. I lowkey have only thought of my motorcycle, backpacking gear, and truck. What kind of clothes should I wear/bring, and, in that regard, do I need formal or business attire? Like I haven't even thought about plates, food, utensils, sheets, etc. What are people's experiences with internships? How does the food situation work out for an NP as an employee?

TL;DR

What should I bring or start getting ready to prepare for this move 20 hrs away

Wondering if anyone had any type of packing list that they used to prepare for the move into staff housing. They provided a general list, but wondering if anyone had any type extensive list or tips on things to bring that I may not have thought of?

Hi everyone!

I just got my first job post-grad as a seasonal state park ranger (eeee!!) and I have a few questions (also, sorry that this post is kinda long).

1. I can’t decide between wanting to go down the law enforcement or interp route. While I know I have PLENTY of time to decide, I was wondering if anyone had any preferences/reasons surrounding why they chose the route they did?

I have more experience in interp thanks to past jobs, but this current position will be more law enforcement oriented.

2. On the subject of long term careers, how long would you roughly say it takes to become fully commissioned (experience wise)?

I was thinking of maybe doing 2-3 seasons as a seasonal/limited commission ranger to get a solid understanding of everything. Then, after that, try to move up the ranks in the state and/or national parks.

Additionally, and this may seem silly of me to think, but I’m 25 years old in this seasonal position and some of my coworkers are 18/19. I almost feel like I’m a bit behind the curve— I don’t really know how to describe the feeling. Maybe it’s just the “seasonal” part of the job title that’s getting to me.

Regardless, this is my childhood self’s dream job so I’m really excited to be part of this amazing community.

Background

1. What is your role in the park?
2. How do visitors usually navigate trails here (maps, phones, signage, memory, ranger guidance)?
3. About how often do visitors get lost or disoriented each year?

Current Challenges

1. What does your park currently do to prevent people from getting lost?
2. What do you see as the main reasons visitors lose their way?
3. When someone is reported missing, what does the response typically look like?

Prototype Concept

We are exploring a simple handheld device that uses GPS to find a user’s location and point them toward the nearest trail using LED lights.

1. What is your initial reaction to this idea?
2. Would this kind of light-based direction be clear for visitors?
3. What concerns or limitations do you see with a device like this?

Use & Value

1. In what situations or environments might this be most or least useful?
2. Who do you think would benefit most from something like this?
3. From your perspective, how realistic would it be for a park service to test or adopt a tool like this?