Can a Convicted Felon Become a Park/Forest Ranger?

A convicted felon can become a park or forest ranger, but there are conditions.

There are state and national levels with different rules.

You might not be able to work where carrying a gun is part of the job, but there are ranger jobs not involved in law enforcement.

The type of felony would also be a consideration.

Many agencies make hiring decisions on a case-by-case basis.

It may be possible, but not easy.

Why Is a Felony an Issue?

A felony is considered a more serious crime, while lesser crimes are called misdemeanors.

No one will care if you have a misdemeanor conviction, but a felony conviction raises more questions.

The general feeling of many is that if you did a crime once, you might do it again.

Statistics back this up, as about 70 percent of people serving time for felonies are arrested again within five years of release.

Ex-cons have trouble finding work, and that could be part of the reason.

Even so, studies have also shown that ex-cons do not create more incidents at work than the general population.

Some ban hiring ex-cons outright.

Others are hesitant to hire felons out of fear, potential danger, liability issues, or basic trust.

Some park rangers are law enforcement officers and carry a gun, and felons are not allowed to carry guns, making that type of job not possible.

In some cases, it is possible to get your felony conviction taken off your record, but that could be 10–15 years after your conviction.

A felony conviction limits your opportunities to a high degree, but there are some possibilities in the park or forest ranger areas.

The type of felony and how long ago it was can also have a major impact on whether you can find a job in this field.

Types of Jobs

There are national, state, and local parks.

There are national forests, state forests, and even local forest preserves.

All of these have rangers who oversee operations.

The terms park ranger or forest ranger can be used interchangeably.

They are different in that park rangers work with the public to enhance the public’s use and enjoyment of the park.

Forest rangers are more concerned with preserving the forest and protecting natural resources.

Here are the types of jobs a forest or park ranger might do.

Public safety and law enforcement workers enforce fish and game laws and keep the peace.

They may also be involved in search and rescue operations and first aid.

They often carry weapons.

Ex-cons might be prohibited from these jobs primarily because weapons are involved.

Resource management and conservation.

These would work primarily in forests and would be involved in protecting and maintaining natural areas.

They might also maintain trails, campsites, and facilities.

Fire management would also be part of this job.

Ex-cons might be well suited to this type of job as long as they are not in the law enforcement division.

Visitor services and education rangers provide information about parks.

They might also lead programs, hikes, or conduct other educational programs.

This is another area where an ex-convict could find a job.

Maintenance and operations, including administrative work, are jobs that involve taking care of the facilities.

They may do maintenance on trails or campgrounds and work in fire prevention.

Administrators write reports, manage permits, and schedule workers.

This is another area where an ex-con could find success.

How to Get a Job as a Park or Forest Ranger

There are different types of rangers, so there is a variety of what is required for the job.

In general, you must be either 18 or 21 years old, and you must have a high school diploma or GED.

A bachelor’s degree is helpful in things like forestry, biology, environmental science, natural resources, or other related fields.

Another option is to get a wildlife and forestry conservation career diploma online.

This will set you apart from those without a diploma.

Law enforcement-type jobs may require additional training.

Experience is also helpful, and may matter more than education.

You can gain experience with volunteer work or an internship.

Seasonal jobs at parks or experience in similar jobs may also be helpful.

Each type of job has its own requirements, and every agency may have its own requirements that can be different.

If you have some related education and experience, you will be qualified and can apply for jobs.

Some agencies have restrictions regarding ex-cons, but many also go on a case-by-case basis.

The National Parks Service is one place to apply for jobs, but also check for state and local facilities that have park and forest ranger jobs.

Salaries

The average salary for park rangers has a lot of range.

The median salary is $40,000, ranging from $22,000 to $72,000.

The National Park Service median salary is $49,000.

Entry-level park ranger pay is around $25,000.

The median salary for a forest ranger is $49,000, ranging from $40,000 to $60,000.

Key Takeaways

Ex-cons can get jobs as park or forest rangers in areas that do not involve law enforcement.

You can gain valuable experience working as a volunteer or with an internship at a park.

There are national, state, and local parks, with their hiring guidelines.

Many parks and agencies consider felons on a case-by-case basis.

Source

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/forest-and-conservation-workers.htm

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a park ranger and a forest ranger?

Forest rangers focus on preserving natural resources such as forests.

Park rangers operate a facility designed to help the public use a natural area such as a park.

The terms are interchangeable to some degree, but parks focus on people, and forests focus on the forest.

While the overall focus is different, there is a lot of overlap between what both do.

Would an ex-con have a better chance at a job as a park ranger or a forest ranger?

While there are a lot of similarities between the two, an ex-con would have better luck with a forest ranger job.

Forest rangers have less interaction with the public and work on maintaining or preserving natural resources.

Parks may be a little more hesitant to hire an ex-con because there is more contact with the public.

Is it fair that ex-cons have a hard time finding a job?

It is probably not fair because an ex-convict may have bettered himself and may be well-suited to being a good citizen.

The problem is one of perception, as people think an ex-con is more likely to do criminal activity again.

There is some validity to that, as 70 percent of felons are charged with a crime again within five years of being released.

However, studies have shown that ex-cons do not create more problems at work than the general population.

What can an ex-con do to improve his or her chances?

One thing to do is to be upfront about the situation and explain it to the person interviewing you for a job.

It is good if you can show you have been rehabilitated in some way, or that you have taken steps to overcome previous criminal activity.

The type of felony and how long ago it was can also be big issues.

Addressing those at a job interview can go a long way in helping you land a job.