National Park Service Employees

High School

If you hope to join the National Park Service, you should study science and history during high school. You should also focus on developing your communication skills. Because interaction with the public is such a significant part of park careers, you may want to take psychology, education, and sociology courses. Those who plan to become rangers might also concentrate on physical education courses; physical fitness is a definite asset for people who must hike miles of backcountry trails, fight fires, and climb rocks to perform rescues.

Postsecondary Training

Although not currently required for all positions, prospective park employees should obtain a bachelor's degree. Most rangers currently in the park system are college graduates and many believe that this will soon become a requirement. Any individual who hopes to serve as a scientist, historian, or archaeologist within the parks must have a college degree, with a major in the relevant discipline. Those who plan to become rangers should place particular emphasis on science courses.

Although there is no specific curriculum for people hoping to enter the National Park Service, you should study science, with an emphasis on environmental science. History, public speaking, and business administration courses all are useful for anyone entering this field.

Certification

Colleges and universities, online learning platforms, and other providers offer certificate programs in historic preservation, archaeology, environmental science, law enforcement, landscape architecture, recreational planning, and other fields. These programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Such programs are a good way to build your skills without enrolling in a degree program.

Other Education or Training

Because there is so much competition for NPS jobs—particularly ranger jobs—many people put themselves through additional training programs to distinguish themselves from other candidates. Some, for example, undergo medical technician training programs or attend police academies. Others attend independent ranger academies to learn the fundamentals of law enforcement, emergency procedures, and firefighting. These training programs can offer an excellent foundation for a prospective ranger.