Functions

• Rangers educate guests how to safely and responsibly use campsites.altai mountain campsite image by Mike & Valerie Miller from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) website, the main job of a forest park ranger is to supervise, manage and perform work in conservation and the proper use of resources, like campsites, in national parks or other parks.
  
  

Safety

• Rangers are the first to respond and help extinguish forest fires.fire in the forest image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
  
  Another main duty of a forest park ranger is to protect park guests and other employees. The forest park ranger is also responsible for putting out or calling services to put out forest fires. The ranger also acts a law enforcer in the park. Apart from enforcing laws, she also investigates violations and complaints and responds to accidents, such as a wildlife attacks.
  
  

Visitor Services

• Rangers educate visitors about the park and where it is safe to explore.hikers crossing high pass image by Mike & Valerie Miller from Fotolia.com
  
  Forest park rangers may also research and share knowledge about the natural, historical and scientific information with visitors. For instance, a forest park ranger in Yellowstone National Park will tell guests about the history of Old Faithful, the natural geyser, and answer questions about its properties and effect on the park's ecosystem.
  
  A ranger may also perform demonstrations on local or historical folk art and crafts, though it depends on the park and the ranger's expertise. Rangers also lead group tours through the park unless a team of volunteers or researchers takes on this role.
  
  

Operations

• A team of rangers manages and operates all the park campgrounds. Assigned to specific sites, a ranger replenishes firewood and runs safety inspections, including the structure safety of campsite buildings like outdoor restrooms.
  
  A forest park ranger also assists with program management activities. A ranger might develop an activity agenda for middle school school students or design a daily itinerary for researchers studying in the park for a week.
  
  

Leaders

• Depending on a ranger's experience level, he may lead training sessions for seasonal or lower level permanent staff. Rangers with a few years' experience, typically more than two or three, may also take responsibility in an academy training assignment.
  
  

Education & Experience

• Degrees in botany or conservation give forest park ranger applicants an advantage.botany image by zolwik from Fotolia.com
  
  Park service hiring managers usually look for forest park ranger applicants with at least a bachelor's degree. However, as of 2010, high school graduates with at least three years of experience in conservation work or park operations are also eligible for ranger jobs.
  
  Aspiring rangers tend to study botany, zoology, geology, ecology or conservation in college. Applicants with master's degrees in park management, forestry or social science tend to have an advantage over applicants without these specific degrees.
  
  

Career Opportunities

• According to the U.S. National Park Service, from entry-level forest park rangers may move up to become district rangers--with larger swaths of forest to maintain--park managers, interpretive rangers who specialize in law enforcement or park planners.
  
  As a ranger moves up, his responsibilities and independence increase as he manages a larger staff and region of the park. Forest park ranger positions at all levels are highly competitive, especially in national forests and other federally maintained parks.
  
  As of 2010, the starting salary for an entry level summer park ranger with a college degree is around $18,000 per year. Full-time park rangers start at $20,000 to $31,000, depending on degrees and experience, according to the National Park Service.