How to Become a Park Ranger in North Carolina

State park rangers in North Carolina are among the most highly trained in the country.

These rangers must complete a great deal of education and training in order to work in one of the state’s 34 state parks.

This is a job that can find the ranger able to work in a variety of settings, sometimes within the same park!

If you have ever wondered what it takes to become a North Carolina state park ranger, now is your chance to find out.

What You Need to Become a North Carolina Park Ranger

The first step in becoming a North Carolina state park ranger is to complete high school and then take a college program in environmental science, forestry, or a related field.

The state prefers you to have a Bachelor’s degree, but they will accept an Associate’s degree with experience.

As you are gaining experience through things like volunteering, you will next need to complete a four-month training process to become a commissioned law officer.

Then, you will need 200 hours of training in emergency medical techniques, wildlife suppression, search and rescue, and interpretation and educational skills.

Finally, you will need 200 hours of additional training to become certified in environmental education.

Duties of a North Carolina Park Ranger

State park officers do many tasks throughout the day.

They spend the most time patrolling the parkland and interacting with visitors.

They educate visitors not only on park rules and regulations but also on things pertaining to the environment.

If necessary, they confront visitors about violations and issue warnings or citations, or make arrests if the situation merits it.

State park rangers lead tours, teach classes, and lead educational programs.

They help when it is necessary to find lost hikers, and they provide medical attention if it is needed by someone.

Park rangers are also tasked with doing surveys of the park equipment and making sure it is in good shape.

They also do studies on the plants and animals of the park and make reports.

Every so often, you will find the state park ranger participating in special events such as local parades or school career days.

North Carolina State Parks

Hammocks Beach State Park

This park offers something unique in all of North Carolina’s state parks – the chance to camp Oceanside!

The mainland and three islands offer visitors many opportunities, such as swimming, hiking, paddling, and boating.

Hiking trails include both beach trails and wooded areas.

There is a boat ramp for those with their boats, a concession stand, and an auditorium that often holds special events.

There are also several camp sites in the park. Some of these sites require a ferry ride out to the island.

Fort Macon State Park

This 398-acre park is located along the Crystal Coast.

In addition to the Coastal Education Center, visitors can enjoy the sightseeing that is abundant here.

They can spend the day hiking and bird watching, surfing, swimming, or fishing.

There is a Boardwalk with many activities, and a tour of an old restored Civil War fort is available.

Jockey Ridge State Park

This park is located on a series of living dunes, some reaching over 100 feet into the air.

The activities here include hiking through different types of environments besides the seashore.

There is also a 360-foot Boardwalk where visitors can enjoy activities such as hang gliding, kite flying, and sandboarding.

1 North Carolina State University

This school offers many paths that would help you meet the educational requirements as a park ranger.

The most popular is the BS in Natural Resources.

This four-year program is 120 credits long.

The cost for residents of North Carolina is $4513.75 per semester, and the cost for non-residents is $16,996.25 per semester.

Contact Information

• Address: Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
• Phone: +1 919-515-2011
• Website: Visit School Website

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Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	North Carolina State University

Park Ranger Salary in North Carolina

How Much Does a North Carolina State Park Ranger Make?

The salary of a North Carolina state park ranger can be anywhere from $32,700 to $62,707 a year.

Ultimately, the amount of money a ranger makes will vary depending on whether you work in a large or small park, how much training you have, and how much time you have put in for experience on the job.

Find Park Ranger Career Guides by State

About Chelsea Wilson Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s distance learning LLM degree program, which provides foreign trained attorneys with the opportunity to earn a Master of Laws degree from a top-tier American university from anywhere in the world.