Park Ranger Technology Program
You will find the career full of opportunity for those candidates who prepare themselves with the proper education and training.
What Park Rangers Do
Park Rangers supervise, manage and perform work in the conservation and use of resources in national parks and other federally-managed areas. They protect our wild lands and educate the public on their use. Their daily tasks are varied: they may carry weapons and enforce the law, they may perform emergency rescues and first aid. They may fight wild land fires or or serve as an interpreter, guide and naturalist. Today more than ever park rangers are advocates for our wild lands. Park Rangers work in urban, suburban and rural areas. More than half work east of the Mississippi. Much of their work is outdoors, but often they work in offices, especially as they advance to managerial responsibility. During their careers, most National Park Service Rangers can expect to be assigned to several different parts of the country.
Park Ranger Technology
The Park Ranger Technology Program provides training for those of you seeking careers in natural resource protection, interpretation, and management. Law enforcement, natural resource interpretation, public safety services and outdoor recreation/education are the major areas of concentration reflecting the needs of the industry and potential employment in all levels of government as well as private companies. To become a full-time professional park ranger, most hiring agencies have three basic requirements: 1) a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning; 2) basic park ranger knowledge and skills; 3) seasonal park ranger employment experience. The Park Ranger Technology (PRT) certificate programs are designed around all agency requirements and allow students to design a program around specific interests, career goals, and previous training or education. The PRT Certificate Program is appropriate for the following individuals:
* Students with a high school diploma, or some college, wishing to begin a program of study to prepare them for employment as a professional park ranger. In addition to the PRT Certificate of Concentration the PRT program advisor will help you design an appropriate two-year associates degree that can be transferred to a four-year institution.
* Students seeking part-time or full-time seasonal employment as a park ranger with an agency (local, state, or federal) which may not require a four-year degree. Students must first consult with the PRT program advisor before beginning any program of study.
* Students who already have a four-year degree in an unrelated field and who wish to make a career change.
- Law Enforcement
- Outdoor Recreation
- Public Safety
- Resource Interpretation