Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Overview

The Seasonal Interpretive Ranger (SIR) program at Tennessee State Parks offers a unique opportunity to work amidst the natural beauty of our parks. SIRs provide educational programs such as guided tours, hikes, workshops, canoe floats, demonstrations, campfires, children's programs, and other outdoor activities. They work directly with park rangers, assisting in the protection of natural and cultural resources while gaining invaluable experience to further their career goals.

To qualify, candidates should have completed enough college credits to be a rising Junior or higher. Applications are open 01/27/2026 - 02/17/2026. Salary: $16.99/hour, 37.5 hours weekly.

Tennessee State Parks are among the most exceptional state park systems in the United States. We have amazing opportunities each summer for college students seeking degrees or those holding degrees in parks and recreation, natural and cultural resource management, general life sciences, forestry, wildlife, history, environmental science, and other related degrees to work in state parks handling a variety of responsibilities to support the needs of the park and their guests.

If you want to have a fun summer, develop great customer service skills, work directly with Park Rangers, and enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities, this may be the perfect summer job for you! We are seeking candidates who enjoy the outdoors, working with diverse age groups including children, and are comfortable in general with being outdoors, regardless of the weather. Some experience with camping, canoeing, hiking, and climbing is preferable.

Housing for the summer is provided at some assigned parks.

• Provide interpretive programs for park visitors including guided tours, hikes, children’s activities, canoe and kayak floats, demonstrations, campfires and other outdoor activities.

• Work with Park Rangers to assist with resource management and maintenance activities.
• Handle some general administrative duties to support the needs of the park including writing reports and maintaining assigned park records.
• Work directly with visitors to share the history and story of the park.
• Become knowledgeable about park resources and be able to answer visitor questions.

• Applicant must be a sophomore or higher by credit hours and be able to provide a copy of their current college transcript if selected for an interview.
• A valid Driver’s License is required by all applicants.
• Candidates who are selected must pass a criminal background check and may be required to obtain a valid Tennessee Boater’s License.

Note:

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State’s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.