Park Ranger Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Park Ranger

Best Schools to become a Park Ranger in U.S. 2024

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

In-State Tuition:$60,480
Out-of-State Tuition:$60,480
Admission Rate:7%
Graduation Rate:94%
Total Enrollment:31,275

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

In-State Tuition:$4,477
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,694
Admission Rate:23%
Graduation Rate:90%
Total Enrollment:55,211

Iowa State University

Ames, IA

In-State Tuition:$8,678
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,162
Admission Rate:90%
Graduation Rate:74%
Total Enrollment:29,969

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Stillwater, OK

In-State Tuition:$5,417
Out-of-State Tuition:$20,937
Admission Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:65%
Total Enrollment:25,372

University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD

In-State Tuition:$9,695
Out-of-State Tuition:$37,931
Admission Rate:45%
Graduation Rate:89%
Total Enrollment:40,792

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Syracuse, NY

In-State Tuition:$7,070
Out-of-State Tuition:$19,830
Admission Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:71%
Total Enrollment:1,976
Park Ranger Job Description:
  • Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations.
  • Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife.
  • Compile biological data.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Park Ranger

Job Duties for Park Rangers

  • Compile and present evidence for court actions.

  • Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.

  • Patrol assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse, or on foot to enforce game, fish, or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes, or land.

Technologies and Skills Used by Park Rangers

Configuration management software

  • Puppet

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Park Ranger

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Park Ranger

FAQs About Becoming a Park Ranger