National Park Service Employees

Employers

Approximately 20,000 permanent, temporary, and seasonal workers are employed by the NPS. While the National Park Service is the only employer for people who would like to pursue this particular career, there are many, radically different national parks. People who pursue this career may work in mountainous parks, such as Grand Teton in Wyoming, or the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas; forested and mountainous parks, such as Yellowstone, which spans three western states; or marine parks, such as California's Channel Islands.

The skills necessary for many positions within the National Park Service are also highly transferable. Interpretive rangers, for instance, may pursue careers as botanists, educators, or naturalists. Law enforcement rangers may consider careers as police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel. The scientists who study our parks' resources may move into private research or, like the historians and archaeologists, they may consider becoming educators.

Starting Out

Almost no one enters the National Park Service in the position they would ultimately like to hold. Individuals who hope to one day serve as a ranger or an interpreter, for instance, must begin by getting a foot in the door. Most people begin as seasonal employees, working for three to four months a year in parks that receive more visitors during either the summer or winter seasons. This seasonal experience enables people to gain an understanding of the National Park Service mission and to help determine whether they would enjoy a career in the park system.

Those who choose to continue usually try to get experience in a variety of entry-level positions or in several different parks. This process helps individuals become familiar with the complex park system. It also allows park managers to gauge their strengths and abilities. When a person has gained experience through seasonal positions, he or she may be considered for a permanent position when one becomes available. Once an individual has gained permanent employment within the park system, he or she will receive extensive on-the-job training.

If you are pursuing your first federal government position, visit https://www.usajobs.gov for job listings and to apply for a position. The NPS offers information on career paths, internships and volunteer opportunities, and the application process on its Web site, https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/workwithus.htm.