Park rangers are so prominent in the distinctive hats that the public commonly recognizes them as uniformed rangers who patrol routes and hand out maps.
However, that just makes up a tiny fraction of what they do.
In reality, a park ranger’s job is highly varied and involves watching over both the people who visit state parks and the parks themselves.
Here is what you need to get started as a park ranger in Idaho:
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Article Table of Contents
- 1 Popular Programs
- 2 Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Idaho
- 3 Park Ranger Duties in Idaho
- 4 State Parks in Idaho
- 5 Salary
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
- 6.1 Do park rangers in Idaho have to pass any exams?
- 6.2 Which area of study best benefits park rangers in Idaho?
- 6.3 What does the job market for Idaho park rangers look like in the future?
- 6.4 Do park rangers also need to be in good physical shape?
- 6.5 How long does the training to become a park ranger in Idaho take?
- 6.6 Is a college degree necessary to work as a park ranger in Idaho?
Popular Programs
Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Idaho
In Idaho’s state parks, park rangers work for the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation.
The required qualifications include the following:
- Have an understanding of managing natural resources and recreation activities
- Have good customer service skills
- Expertise as a supervisor
- Some familiarity with interpreting environmental education
- At least one college course
Park Ranger Duties in Idaho
Park rangers in Idaho work in various natural settings, including national parks, rainforests, and coastal areas.
Their duties and responsibilities include:
- Assuring the management, improvement, and protection of the cultural, recreational, and wildlife resources found in the natural environment.
- Finding endangered creatures, populations, or species and assisting in their protection and safeguarding their safety.
- Maintaining facilities for various uses and helping visitors understand and appreciate the environment’s aspects.
- Welcoming visitors and helping them review park policies and safety rules to ensure they are safe throughout their adventure
- Check on campers to ensure they are following the regulations and not bothering the area or other campers.
- Distributing maps and pointing out notable sites and prohibited areas while working in the visitor center.
- Providing emergency care like CPR, first aid, search and rescue efforts, and assistance in putting out or containing forest fires.
- Providing informative excursions and workshops.
- Putting up campsites for visitors and looking after the park’s paths to ensure they are safe throughout their stay.
- Providing animal care includes, but is not limited to, attending to sick or injured animals, capturing or tranquilizing them, and removing their carcasses.
- Developing educational programs for environmental issues for use in classrooms.
State Parks in Idaho
According to the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation, thirty state parks are now under management.
In Idaho, some of the well-known state parks are:
1. Hells Gate State Park
Hells Gate is a verdant sanctuary on the banks of the Snake River, approximately four miles from Lewiston, Idaho.
Large campsites with abundant shade await campers.
The park hosts the deepest river gorge in North America and serves as a gateway to Idaho’s Lewis and Clark region.
2. City of Rocks
The City of Rocks is popular among climbers because they enjoy its granite columns, allowing them to reach heights of 60 stories.
Many climbers claim that Almo Pluton’s younger granite is some of the greatest rock they have ever scaled.
3. Bruneau Dunes
Bruneau Dunes park features the tallest dune with a single structure in North America, with a top that rises 470 feet above the neighboring desert plain.
4. Farragut State Park
The park features Idaho’s largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille.
The woodlands are home to squirrels, black bears, whitetail deer, and bobcats.
Salary
In Idaho, a park ranger earns an average yearly salary of $41,332, roughly $19.87 per hour, $3,444 per month, or $794 per week.
Currently, the average compensation for park rangers is from $30,903 to $51,996, with Idaho giving the highest salaries at $59,844 annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do park rangers in Idaho have to pass any exams?
To qualify as a state ranger, applicants must pass a test.
The answers must be backed by the individual’s previous employment, portfolio, or academic qualifications.
The job posting will provide a link to the exam preview.
Candidates select the Apply Online option, and then instructions show up.
Which area of study best benefits park rangers in Idaho?
Typically, park rangers pursue education in fields including forestry, conservation, animal management, and park and recreation management.
Criminal justice is another educational choice that can help by giving a good basis for the position’s code enforcement component.
What does the job market for Idaho park rangers look like in the future?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2018 and 2028, the employment of park rangers will decline by 3% due to the automation of specific tasks.
Do park rangers also need to be in good physical shape?
It’s essential to be tolerant of adverse weather as park rangers work most of the time outdoors.
Park rangers may travel large distances in hazardous conditions if asked to carry out rescue missions.
How long does the training to become a park ranger in Idaho take?
Park rangers frequently take part in training for compliance enforcement during their first 1.5 to 2 years of employment.
Personnel must perform the following steps to get certified:
- Attain a certain level of professionalism
- Have no criminal record
- Have their fingerprints collected
- Complete a personal history form
Is a college degree necessary to work as a park ranger in Idaho?
No.
Potential park rangers in Idaho do not need a degree.
However, even if it is unnecessary, applicants should perform better on the exam thanks to a college degree.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Wildlife Conservationist