Forest Ranger

A forest ranger career could be for you if…

Your skills include critical thinking, corrdination and active listening.

Your interests can be described as realistic, enterprising and conventional.

Your values include relationships, independence and achievement.

Forest rangers enforce fire regulations, inspect forests for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. They may report forest fires and weather conditions to other agencies and organizations. Working as a forest ranger involves assisting foresters with forest management, fire prevention, wildfire suppression, forest insect and disease control, and informational and educational programs. Operation and maintenance of equipment such as ATVs, UTVs, and bulldozers is also a significant part of this job.

These positions generally require a high school diploma or GED. Rangers will usually obtain a CDL during on-the-job training and are required to pass an annual minimum physical fitness test.

Other job titles include:fire management officer, fire operations forester, fire prevention officer, fire prevention technician, fire technician, forest officer, forest patrolman, forestry patrolman, wildfire mitigation specialist, wildfire prevention specialist.

While new hires need only a high school diploma or equivalent, most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate degree.