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Job Title: Park Ranger
Type of Company: National Park Service
Education: BA, Environmental Studies & Psychology, University of Michigan
Previous Experience: I was a tour guide & grounds keeper at University of Michigan Natural Studies Area for several years, a field archaeologist for three months, Student Conservation Association intern for 8 months and a seasonal park ranger with the National Park Service for 21 years.
Job Tasks: I oversee the daily operation of two national park visitor centers and supervise 9 seasonal interpretive park rangers. I do hiring, scheduling, payroll and coach and mentor seasonal park rangers on their interpretive programs. I provide training in interpretive techniques and working with the public. I do evaluations of the employees I supervise.
Best and Worst Parts of the Job: The best part of the job is working with the public on a daily basis, being outdoors, working and living in some of the country's most beautiful places, seeing incredible wildlife, nice sunsets and sunrises, having job security and working with good people.
The worst parts are being under funded, not having enough staff year-round, the paperwork, being indoors more than I'd like, not being able to take a vacation as often as I would like, not gaining a permanent position earlier in my career due to the government's strict hiring policies and concomitant poor retirement benefits.
Job Tips: It is very difficult to attain a permanent job with the National Park Service; be patient and gain as many different experiences as possible while employed as a seasonal. Be willing to put in extra time and offer to do a wide variety of tasks to gain experience and knowledge. Computer skills are extremely valuable in today's world; the more you know, the better. Don't expect everyone to think you and your skills are wonderful because, in reality, you are easily replaced. Work hard and prove your worth.
Additional Thoughts: If I could change one thing, I would move around to more parks instead of "homesteading" in two. I also would have stayed with my original career path which was law enforcement instead of switching to interpretation. Women have a better chance of attaining permanent positions in law enforcement and also have better career advancement opportunities as it is a non-traditional field for women. Interpretation is a more traditional field for women.
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