Any park rangers out there????How to become one??? Advice needed for post military

adam0321

adam0321

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
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So maybe I am planning a bit far out but here goes. I am currently in the USMC and god willing will retire in about 9 years. I want to retire some where like WA, MT, TN. Some where in the mountains where I can live out my life hiking and camping. The good life I would love to live off my savings and retirement but I know that is not likely. I would love to get a job as a wild life officer or park ranger. Something along those lines. In Florida we have FWC, Florida Wilde Life Conservation. State Law Enforcement. I am not looking for a high paying job and I know they are very competitive. My question is how I can make my self as marketable as possible now for such a job. I currently have a degree in criminal justice. And will have 20+ years in special operations with a great clearance. Should I also attempt to attain a degree in biology, ecology, or environmental management? Also are there any federal jobs along these lines? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Adam
 
There are several hundred jobs with the National Park Service currently listed on USAJOBS. Look at them, and you'll have the answers you seek.
 
How old will you be? IIRC, most fed LE jobs have mandatory retirement at 57, which means that you need to be young enough to 'vest' in the retirement system before you reach 57.

State systems are a little more flexable, in that they usually don't have a mandatory retirement age, but you still have to be young enough to vest in the system before reaching full SS retirement age, and of course be fit enough to pass the physical agility test and knowledgable enough to pass the written test. The CJ degree might be enough to allow you to test, but all things being equal, in todays hiring climate the slot will probably go to the person with the biology/wildlife management/ecology/environmental science degree. A boss explained it to me this way, "It's easier to make a cop out of a biologist than it is to make a biologist out of a cop." Of course, that only works if the biologist WANTS to be a cop. The ones that don't, don't last.

"...I want to live out my life hiking and camping..." Get to know the folks (park ranger/wildlife officer) in the area where you are stationed, because wildlife/parks is NOT what it was when I started 37 years ago. The drug culture has seen to that.

Also the Corps has game wardens on their larger bases. I don't know where they work out of. I do know that Air Force game wardens work out of civil engineering, so you might ask around.

Good luck and thank you for your service!
 
Thank you. I will be 42 when I retire from the Marine Corps. I have a good friend that works for FWC that only has a CJ degree.
I have a deep love for the outdoors and for the wildlife. I actually quit hunting in the fast few years simply because it started to put a bad taste in my mouth. I have absolutely no problem with hunting as long as it is done ethically and responsibly. It pains me to no end to see trash dumped in the woods, poaching, or even when people throw cigarette butts on the ground.
When I said I want to live out m days hiking and camping I was referring to the area in which I want to retire. I understand unless I worked for a gear company or backpacker magazine a job where I simply hike and camp is not realistic. I do however want a job that would have me working outside and in the wooded areas. A job where I can work in the outdoors, help preserve them, and prosecute those who do not respect them would be a dream job.
I have looked into the EPA and the U.S Forestry service but those jobs seem to be more of a scientific/research role. I think U.S border patrol in the northern states would even be great.

Thanks again for the advice.
 
OK! 42 is NOT too old, if your knees and back are still good. Maturity and life experience look good on the resume and by picking up a few classes in the subjects mentioned you should be good to go. Most agencies have websites where you can find the requirements needed for the job you want, so pick your states and do some research.
 
USAJOBS is the place to look. See what's available now and the required qualifications and use that as a guide. Keep in mind that job skills for various jobs change over time so what's wanted today my not be tomorrow. But if you keep checking back from time to time you'll be up on the current jobs / requirements. Not to mention the veteran preferance points you you'll get. Good luck! I remember when I retired after 20 on active duty and though to myself "now what am I going to do" Nine years seems like a long time but it fly's by. Being proactive now will pay off later.

Good luck and thank you for your service!
 
Becoming a Park Ranger is HARD, but if you know the right people you can get in. Game Wardens are hard too, however your military background is a solid win for that. Your criminal justice degree is what really pays off as well, so I think you are the one that is highly competitive here for both. I think with the given background and degree, and some good PT, you have a solid chance in both. Be forewarned that sometimes as a park ranger, you are required to move around. I've met Colorado rangers that were moved down to the glades, etc.
Also, many game wardens allow ride alongs. I've met alot of former military that are game wardens and they would be happy to have you along on the ride, and could give you many many pointers. Just do be advised that government funding and state funds are tight so don't get discouraged if you have to do some hard core searching.
Don't forget to look at state park levels too, and as always, call call call, don't just inquire. You'll have to blood hound it.
 
Most fed law enforcement jobs require you to be younger then 37 when you start. However, states rarely have the same age restrictions. I've been in LE for the past 15 years now. I looked into a Game Warden position and it didn't pay worth a damn. A Bachelors Degree is required in Oklahoma yet they want to pay $2000 a month. I said no thanks. I think it would be fun but it wouldn't be much fun at that pay rate ;)
 
Your military time should transfer over so age may not be a problem. There are plenty of other issues to overcome including budget and being available for interviewing. You may want to consider Bureau of Land Management. They have rangers that patrol public lands. FYI, it can take 2 to 3 years to get through the hiring process and get to training. No part of the process happens quickly.
 
I currently work for the Park Service as a 1039 seasonal. Remember that the term "park ranger" can refer to several different types of work. In the NPS, a park ranger can be a law enforcement ranger, interpretive ranger, or backcountry ranger. They all wear the flat hats and each requires a different background. To be a shoot 'em up ranger, a background in law enforcement is helpful but not required. You'll need to go through the federal law enforcement training, apply for jobs and make the "cert" which your veteran status will almost ensure, and then present a resume. For interp, a background in science or education is helpful but no special training is required. For a backcountry ranger job, you might need law enforcement training or a background in outdoor education, recreation, PR, etc. It depends on the park's needs. In any case, backcountry jobs tend to be scarce and competitive.

Other federal agencies may refer to interp, law enforcement, range managers, wildlife managers, etc. as "rangers". Each of those jobs will require a specific skill set. In any case, your veteran status will put you in the running for any job you are remotely qualified for.
 
if being a game warden is something you might like, having some biology- specifically wildlife biology would go a long way- you don't need another Bachelor's to go w/ your Criminal Justice, but if you could get some credits in wildlife biology you'd be very marketable- at least for Montana

and you're correct, the pay isn't all that great :D
 
adam0321 said:
Thank you. I will be 42 when I retire from the Marine Corps. I have a good friend that works for FWC that only has a CJ degree.
I have a deep love for the outdoors and for the wildlife. I actually quit hunting in the fast few years simply because it started to put a bad taste in my mouth. I have absolutely no problem with hunting as long as it is done ethically and responsibly. It pains me to no end to see trash dumped in the woods, poaching, or even when people throw cigarette butts on the ground.
When I said I want to live out m days hiking and camping I was referring to the area in which I want to retire. I understand unless I worked for a gear company or backpacker magazine a job where I simply hike and camp is not realistic. I do however want a job that would have me working outside and in the wooded areas. A job where I can work in the outdoors, help preserve them, and prosecute those who do not respect them would be a dream job.
I have looked into the EPA and the U.S Forestry service but those jobs seem to be more of a scientific/research role. I think U.S border patrol in the northern states would even be great.

Thanks again for the advice.
Click to expand...

The hunters aren't the ones throwing trash out around us. Not the offroad crowd either. Its the party and drinking crowd.
 
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