I actually spent a good amount of time volunteering at the park where I was hired and this helped me immensely. While donating my time and being trained along the way, I also learned what other skills and abilities I would need to be competitive with the large volume of applicants coming in for each opening. I also joined our local volunteer fire department to get fire fighting and radio experience. I took classes through the state Division of Forestry to be certified in prescribed burning, and learned CPR, first aid, and became a certified first responder.
All these things, along with my volunteer work helped prepare me for a Park Ranger position. I would encourage anyone seriously interested in a position with the Florida Park Service to spend time at the park or location they would be interested in working at so that they can see what it really entails. Each park is so different and so the job duties vary accordingly. Once you are hired, you attend Ranger Academy for two weeks and you complete interpretive training. Most employees also become certified prescribed burners. All other training is mostly "on the job" or scheduled according to the park's needs, activities, or management concerns.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
During the past year or so, I have been learning about birding and leading birding hikes. This is a really popular activity in our parks and we want to be able to offer this to our visitors here at the Hammock. It's wonderful to have a whole new realm of nature to master and learn right along with our visitors. This keeps the job fresh and fun. I've also had the opportunity to take environmental education programs into nearby correctional facilities for teen girls, which was incredibly satisfying. Their interest level and enthusiasm for the Florida environment was encouraging, considering their situations and future challenges.
We are also gearing up for our winter concert series and annual festival, which is always a very busy, fun time. On a scientific note, I have an ongoing seed collection project that focuses on preserving several endangered bromeliads in the park. It's always great to get news about our several thousand seedlings growing under quarantine in this statewide program to prevent extinction of these unique plants.
If someone were interested in working as a park ranger/park services specialist, what advice could you give them?
Of course I would suggest volunteering since people are sometimes surprised about how variable our jobs can be! If you volunteer in a park, you'll be able to get a good idea of what your typical work day might be like once you get hired. You'll also be able to know what positions will be opening and when. Park staff can help you identify what skills you might be lacking and can also help you consider positions in other parks. It's a perfect way to "try on" a new career.
It's also a good way to gain experience for later on, in the event that you may want to do this as a second career after retirement. I also want to mention that the opportunities are limitless in the Florida Park Service. After working as a Park Ranger or Park Services Specialist, you might decide to move into park management or perhaps even a biology-related position. Open positions are advertised on , the state’s online human resources agency. Take a look sometime and see what’s available. You just might find a great career here in "the REAL Florida!"
