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Are you considering a career as a Park Ranger in Nebraska?
This is an exciting career with many challenges and opportunities awaiting you.
You may not know this, but Park Rangers can work in a variety of settings, from state park systems, and municipal parks departments, to working for the National Park Service (NPS).
Their duties differ according to which position they are employed in.
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For example, some Park Rangers may be responsible for protective services and law enforcement, or they may be responsible for assisting visitors to a park, giving tours to groups of visitors, or even presenting visitor programs.
Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Nebraska
To work as a Park Ranger in Nebraska, candidates must meet two qualifying criteria: general and degree requirements.
General requirements stipulate the minimum requirements a candidate must meet in order to apply for work as a Park Ranger and include:
- Must be a US citizen
- Must be 21 years old
- The candidate must hold a valid driver’s license
- Must pass a background check
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field
- Must be in good physical health
- Must pass a criminal check and have no criminal record
- Must have knowledge of natural resources and wildlife
- The candidate must be available and willing to work on holidays and weekends
Apart from the general requirements are the educational requirements.
In order to work as a Park Ranger, candidates must obtain a four-year bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited school.
Students can earn their degrees in two formats: traditional and online.
There are 16 private universities and four public universities to choose from in Nebraska.
In addition, there are eight community colleges located in the state.
Courses that may qualify for this career field include:
- Zoologist
- Biology
- Forestry
- Natural Resource Management
- Law Enforcement
- Wildlife Conservationist
Park Ranger Duties in Nebraska
Park Rangers in Nebraska perform one of two roles: protective or interpretive.
Protective Park Rangers: This position requires the Park Rangers to protect the wildlife and visitors to the park and enforce the rules of the park.
The rangers patrol trails, the grounds, and other areas around the park to ensure that visitors and wildlife are safe.
In addition, these Park Rangers are responsible for performing search and rescue operations in the park and conducting firefighting duties.
Interpretive Park Rangers: These Park Rangers, on the other hand, fulfill the role of creating an enlightening experience for visitors of the park.
Their primary role is to provide interpretive services for historic sites and monuments, archeologically significant sites, recreational areas, and wildlife refuges.
They provide insight and information into the park, and the role of protective rangers, provide advice to visitors, and conduct administrative duties such as collecting fees, offering guided tours, and giving educational talks to visitors of the park.
State Parks in Nebraska
There are eight state parks, ten historic state parks, and several recreational areas in Nebraska.
State Parks
- Chadron NP
- Eugene T. Mahoney SP
- Fort Robinson SP
- Indian Cave NP
- Niobrara SP
- Platte River NP
- Ponca SP
- Smith Falls NP
Historic State Parks
- Arbor Lodge SHP
- Ashfall Fossil Beds SHP
- Ash Hollow SHP
- Bowring Ranch SHP
- Buffalo Bill Ranch SHP
- Champion Mill SHP
- Fort Atkinson SHP
- Fort Hartsuff SHP
- Fort Kearney SHP
- Rock Street Station SHP
Recreational Areas
- Cowboy SRA
- Bowman Lake SRA
- Blue River SRA
- Pelican Point
Salary
The annual salary for a Park Ranger in Omaha, Nebraska is $38,825.
The salary range is $32,094 to $46,978.
A state park ranger’s salary will depend on which position the state park ranger holds, which establishment the ranger works for, the position of the ranger and his/her duties, as well as the years of experience that the ranger has.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $38,825 |
| Lincoln | $38,638 |
| Bellevue | $38,825 |
| Grand Island | $38,104 |
| Kearney | $38,104 |
| Fremont | $38,247 |
| Hastings | $38,104 |
| North Platte | $36,945 |
| Norfolk | $34,582 |
| Columbus | $38,104 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 50 | $68,710 | $33.03 | $107,660 | $32,180 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 50 | $66,830 | $32.13 | $90,600 | $33,900 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a Park Ranger in Nebraska?
There is no official license for the position.
However, rangers should be in possession of a valid driver’s license.
In addition, rangers should have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field to work in this position.
Do park rangers work alone?
It will depend on the job and the area where the Park Ranger is employed.
Rangers who work for the National Park Service may work alone and in isolated areas.
Crime prevention and search and rescue efforts are done as part of a team.
What skills are needed to be a park ranger?
The first and most important skill is customer service.
Park Rangers work with the public daily.
They need to be excellent at communication and have the ability to assist those in need of information and direction.
In addition, Park Rangers should have emergency skills, CPR skills, and know how to enforce public safety.
These are just some of the hard and soft skills required to be successful in this field.
What weapons do park rangers use?
Rangers who specialize in law enforcement in the parks wear armor, tasers, batons, guns, pepper spray, and handcuffs.
Are park rangers considered police?
Park rangers are considered to be the police in State Parks.
Park Rangers have the authority to arrest you if you transgress any rules or regulations of the park and hand you over to the authorities for further investigation.
Many areas in this industry employ candidates with a law enforcement qualification or background.
Are park rangers considered police?
Park rangers are considered to be the police in State Parks.
Park Rangers have the authority to arrest you if you transgress any rules or regulations of the park and hand you over to the authorities for further investigation.
Many areas in this industry employ candidates with a law enforcement qualification or background.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Wildlife Conservationist
Park Ranger by State