How to Become a Park Ranger in Oregon

Oregon is renowned for its stunning outdoor beauty and diverse recreational opportunities, including recreation areas, historic monuments, and an abundance of state parks that showcase Oregon’s impressive mountains, coast, and high desert.

Park rangers help people enjoy it all.

Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Oregon

• A US citizen or one who has applied for US citizenship within the last three years of job acceptance.
• Minimum 21 years of age as a peace officer.
• Other positions may begin at 18.
• Completed 60 semester units at a state-accredited college or university, including 21 units of general education credits.
• Valid State Driver’s License; good driving record.
• Pass a pre-hire physical exam.
• Complete the post-hire basic training program.
• Obtain a DPSST certification for unarmed security providers within 6 months of hire.
• Pass a background investigation and fingerprinting.

Bloom as a Park Ranger in Oregon

Candidates need to provide customer service in a wide range of situations, while also using practical judgment and developing effective solutions.

Candidates must apply laws, rules, and policies for public use and safety while also monitoring for violations and utilizing conflict resolution and communication to resolve disputes.

Candidates need good interpersonal communication skills and be able to use general office software and city-specific technology.

Park Ranger Duties in Oregon

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department park rangers provide oversight and protection of Oregon’s natural, scenic, and cultural sites.

• Maintenance, construction, and upkeep of buildings, facilities, and utilities.
• Visitor services
• Resource conservation
• Park patrol, safety, and rule enforcement

Useful Skills:

• Building, grounds, or equipment maintenance and repair.
• Operating power equipment/hand tools.
• Customer service.
• Office, communication, tech, and administrative skills.
• Natural resource education and conservation experience.

Experience can help candidates advance in their career paths.

Maintenance, landscaping, or law enforcement can serve as an entry point.

Additionally, visitor services can include niche offerings, such as environmental awareness programs and activities.

The National Park Service in Oregon and Park Ranger Careers

In addition to working at the state level, candidates seeking park ranger jobs can also work for the National Park Service.

This is a subtle but essential distinction.

The National Park Service oversees national resources and historic sites in Oregon, including such beloved nature spots and cultural institutions as:

• Crater Lake National Park
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
• Oregon National Historic Trail

Candidates for a park ranger with the National Park Service need to be:

• 21 years old or older
• US citizens
• Possess a valid driver’s license

Possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree, with a minimum of 24 hours of career-specialized coursework.
• Or a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level. Examples include working as a park guide, tour leader, police officer, law enforcement professional, or in historic preservation.
• A combination of education and experience.

State Parks in Oregon

Silver Falls State Park, Marion County

Situated in Oregon’s only rainforest, experience stunning waterfalls and fine hiking trails.

Shore Acres State Park, Coos Bay

Uncover your interest at Shore Acres State Park.

Enjoy views of the dramatic and rocky shoreline, history, trails, beautiful gardens, and ponds.

Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach

Can’t decide if you prefer serene beaches or amazing forests?

Meet the peace broker.

Smith Rock State Park, Redmond

Stunning scenery and gorgeous views.

Monkey Face, a towering 350-foot spire with a smiling simian, urges climbers onwards.

Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Newport

For gorgeous views of the beach and ocean or to enjoy a stroll or picnic, the Devil’s Punchbowl could be your spot!

1 Oregon State University

Natural Resources Major with Fish and Wildlife Conservation Option.

Nurture your career with a Bachelor’s in Natural Resources, emphasizing fish and wildlife conservation.

Courses are offered through the main campus at Corvallis, OSU-Cascades in Bend, and online via the Oregon State Ecampus.

Contact Information

• Address: 1500 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331
• Phone: (541) 737-1000
• Website: Visit School Website

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2 Southern Oregon University

Certificate in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Gain knowledge, understanding, and the skills demanded for wildlife management and conservation.

Environmental Science, Policy, and Sustainability Program

Contact Information

• Address: 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520
• Phone: (541) 552-6802
• Website: Visit School Website

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3 Mt. Hood Community College

Grow with an Associate of Applied Science in Wildlife Resources through Mt. Hood’s Natural Resources Technology program.

Contact Information

• Address: 26000 SE Stark St., Gresham, OR 97030
• Phone: (503) 491-6422
• Website: Visit School Website

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4 Southwestern Oregon Community College

Cultivate a career with an Associate of Science degree in Forestry, which can serve as a fine starting point for a job in forest conservation.

Curry Campus

96082 Lone Ranch Parkway

Brookings, OR 97415

(541) 813-1667

Contact Information

• Address: 1988 Newmark Ave. Coos Bay, OR 97420
• Phone: (541) 888-2525
• Website: Visit School Website

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5 Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Management (Online)

For those seeking a career in the ecosystem, consider the Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Management, which focuses on wildlife behavior, species recovery, and urban ecology.

Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences (B.S.), Corvallis

Get in the swim with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences.

Contact Information

• Address: 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331
• Phone: (541) 737-4531
• Website: Visit School Website

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Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	Oregon State University
	#2	Southern Oregon University
	#3	Mt. Hood Community College
	#4	Southwestern Oregon Community College
	#5	Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Management (Online)

Park Ranger Salary in Oregon

In Oregon, the average annual salary for a park ranger does pay the green at $45,500.

Regional Salary

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.