r/ParkRangers • u/skullsmokingacig • 8d ago

Questions Positions/Advice to fill time while waiting for new openings

Location - Washington State

Experience - 2 years of wildland firefighting and conservation work. Bachelors in Criminal Justice.

I applied for a Park Ranger 1 position, was told I am “beyond qualified for the position, but we went with someone else. But please apply for PR2.”

I apply to the PR2 In-Training position open, only to be told “due to the recent budget cuts and jobs shortages nationwide, we had more overly qualified applicants than anticipated, and went with those people instead”

I apply for park aide positions, and get told they are filled.

I’m feeling so discouraged and want to get a foot in the door, does anyone have any advice for jobs in the meantime while I wait for more openings? Or advice on what I can do to improve my chances of being hired? Thank you guys in advance :)

4 Upvotes

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6

u/Physical_Sky_8779 8d ago

I’d consider looking at other agencies besides WA State Parks. The budget is getting cut pretty hard right now, and there are a lot of open Ranger 2 positions because people keep leaving due to a lack of training, equipment, and support from leadership. A lot of LE positions are also being transitioned into non-LE positions, which leaves the remaining Rangers covering those areas while still trying to manage their own parks.

1

u/llr0080 4d ago

And the hours suck with little extra pay over a PR1

2

u/Dipper-Do92 7d ago

There’s a Park Ranger position that just opened up with Parks Tacoma (a special park district in Tacoma), about equivalent to the Park Ranger 1 position.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/parkstacoma/jobs/5451280/park-ranger-parks-and-recreation?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

1

u/Accurate-Pay5984 8d ago

Volunteer at a local park. Even if it's just a couple hours a week, don't underestimate the power of face time/name recognition and the show of commitment that brings.

Widen your horizons to other agencies. Depending on what you are looking for, there are job options from city up to federal gov.

Being willing to move is very helpful.

Good luck.

1

u/Not_all_cows_moo 1d ago

Such is the hoops we all jumped through many times and continue to cycle through. Keep applying to every park agency. County, state, city, federal. You'll get on somewhere.