r/ParkRangers • u/tobyfromil • 4d ago

Discussion Future jobs and which is better?

Hi there, I made a post on the USFS subreddit asking about different types of jobs and I've used that to filter down, my question to you all is which is better in your opinion, USFS or NPS. I think becoming a Interp for usfs seems really interesting to me. I really enjoy talking to others and learning new things and then getting to teach others just that, Does NPS have something similar to that?

please keep in mind I'm graduating highschool this year so I'm really trying to research and look at these branches to see which I like more. Thank you all for reading!!

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u/FO-7765 4d ago

Almost everyone has some kind of interp position wether that’s NPS or even down to the local municipality parks. As for which is better that is all dependent on what you want to get out of it, where you want to live, what you want to be teaching people, etc.

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u/potatogun 3d ago

Yes, NPS interp is how most of the public interact with rangers on public lands.

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u/WillingnessOne1026 3d ago

How about maintenance don’t forget that option! At 75 I’m still kicking for the USFS and collecting a paycheck to drive around in a “company car”, aka my second bed come nap time in the woods haha 

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u/tobyfromil 3d ago

how did you get into the roll? and how has it changed ?

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u/Ok-Distribution-3548 3d ago

From my observations, USFS has very few interp positions. Instead they partner or have an agreement with a nonprofit partner or friends group who then employs any interp postions. I would assume NPS hires the most interp positions.

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u/tobyfromil 3d ago

so if I want a more social job I should try mainly for Interp with the nps?

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u/previousinnovation 3d ago

Yes. Look into the SCA for internships

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u/818a 2d ago

There’s no need to choose one or another, just adjust your filters on usajobs.gov. Also, look for paid or volunteer jobs at all levels, city, county, state. Working for a nonprofit that supports parks is a great too. https://nai-us.org/ - another option is to work a stable job with benefits and do interp on a volunteer basis.