How to Become a Park Ranger in Maine

Maine’s wild and rugged beauty makes it one of the best places to be a park ranger.

Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the great outdoors in a place nicknamed Vacationland?

Better yet, the locations for park rangers in Maine range from cragged shorelines with crashing waves, through saltwater marshes, into glacier-carved mountains, and even on remote islands.

While Maine is known for the epic Acadia National Park, you might not realize the robust list of state parks, including one that is noted for being “Forever Wild.”

Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Maine

Working as a park ranger in a Maine park can be seasonal or year-round.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry oversees 48 state parks.

Plus, Maine offers park ranger and assistant park ranger jobs.

Expect seasonal jobs to run for 26 weeks.

Most assistant park ranger jobs require basic requirements, such as being able to follow directions and having a valid Maine driver’s license.

The age requirement is 18, and you need to be legally able to work in the United States.

For full-time park ranger work, you’ll likely need a year of experience working in park maintenance or operations.

This is where volunteer work at a park can also come in handy.

Since this is a job with the state, make sure you specifically follow all instructions and fill out all fields on the application.

You can also review the state application process so you know what to expect.

To stand out in the field of applicants, having a degree or experience in parks management, environmental science, forestry, or wildlife biology helps.

Park Ranger Duties in Maine

Being a park ranger in Maine means your job changes with the season, the weather, and sometimes the hour.

Rangers handle a little bit of everything, from cleaning up campsites to keeping hiking trails clear and boat launches in working order.

You’ll enforce park rules to keep people safe and nature protected.

Some days, you might hop on heavy equipment like a bulldozer or backhoe to handle bigger maintenance jobs.

Other days, you’re the friendly face greeting visitors, answering questions, and sharing a bit of Maine’s history.

Full-timers might lead a small crew and keep operations running behind the scenes.

Assistant park rangers would do similar duties, but under the direction of a park ranger.

This will include trail maintenance, interacting with guests, and other park operation duties.

It’s also worth noting the difference between the Maine Forest Rangers and Maine Park Rangers.

Those who opt for the Forest Ranger path work in law enforcement and are focused on safety, wildfire suppression, and resource protection.

State Parks in Maine

Trying to pick a favorite state park in Maine is like trying to pick a favorite star in the sky.

We’ll look at a handful of the most unique places.

Home to the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and Mt Katahdin, the highest peak in the state, Baxter State Park isn’t your typical Maine state park.

It was gifted to the people of Maine by former Governor Percival Baxter and is managed under its own set of rules and funding.

It is fiercely protected to stay “forever wild.”

That means stricter access rules, limited facilities, and a strong focus on preserving nature over tourism.

Sebago Lake State Park is a wonderful location for those who love the beauty of being lakeside but also want to be close to Portland.

It’s the second-largest state in the park.

It’s also a four-season destination, with huge crowds in the summer and the beauty of Maine close to the most dynamic port city.

Popham Beach State Park and State Historic Site in Maine is one of the most visited state parks.

This Midcoast Maine treasure is where one of the first English settlements happened in 1607.

If it had survived, it would’ve rivaled Jamestown, Virginia.

Plus, working here gives you a front-line look at climate change, as the powerful forces of the ocean are eroding the beach.

Rangeley Lake State Park sits in Maine’s stunning Lakes and Mountains region, surrounded by forested hills and glassy water that catches every sunrise.

It’s peaceful, wild, and packed with natural beauty.

Loons call across the lake, moose occasionally wander through, and the fishing is top-tier.

If you’re into quiet mornings, wildlife sightings, and classic Maine views, this is a dream spot to be a park ranger.

Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	University of Maine
	#2	Maine State Parks Ranger Academy

Park Ranger Salary in Maine

The median salary, according to Salary.com, is about $36,000 annually.

We can also learn more about what the tiers of park ranger positions earn by looking at recent job descriptions.

Assistant park rangers make a starting wage of $15.90 an hour, which is about $33,000 annually.

The highest amount you would expect to make would be $21.68 per hour, which is about $45,000 annually.

---

Find Park Ranger Career Guides by State

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Maine park ranger jobs come with housing?

Most don’t.

Seasonal ranger positions usually require you to arrange your housing.

However, remote assignments like the Allagash Wilderness Waterway or the Penobscot River Corridor may include housing due to their location.

Always read the specific job listing to see what’s included.

What’s the difference between a Maine park ranger and a forest ranger?

Park rangers work for the Bureau of Parks and Lands and focus on public parks, education, and basic enforcement.

Forest rangers work under the Maine Forest Service and handle wildfire prevention, land protection, and full law enforcement duties.

Different training and responsibilities come with each role.

Are there other parks that need rangers in Maine?

Maine is known for having a lot of protected land, and much of that is in the form of land trusts.

Look at the Maine Land Trust Network for jobs that can help you get experience toward being a park ranger or jobs that have similar duties.

Are there federal park ranger jobs available in Maine?

Yes, there are federal park ranger jobs in Maine through the National Park Service.

You can apply to work at Acadia National Park, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the Acadian Landing and International Heritage Corridor, and parts of the Appalachian Trail.

When do seasonal park ranger jobs open in Maine?

Most seasonal jobs get posted between December and February for the upcoming summer.

It’s smart to check the Maine state job board early and often, especially if you want to work at popular parks like Sebago Lake or Popham Beach.