Current Position: Interpretive Specialist at Fall Creek Falls State Park
How long have you been with Tennessee State Parks and in what capacity?
I have been a Park Ranger or Interpreter for almost 24 years. I started out with state parks as a seasonal Interpretive Ranger at Old Stone Fort State Park and worked there for four summers. I hired in full time as a Ranger-Naturalist at Fall Creek Falls State Park and have now been promoted to an Interpretive Specialist 3.
How did you become involved in working as an Interpretive Specialist?
I was raised around a farm and loved working out of doors. My dad was also a park ranger for several years while I was growing up. When I went to college, I majored in Wildlife Biology. Immediately following college, I became a seasonal Interpretive Ranger.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Very little is routine on a daily basis. My role requires me to act as law enforcement, an emergency medical technician (EMT), supervise several employees, deliver quite a few programs and produce large special events. Currently, I am trying to document and devise a management plan for several thousand new acres that have been added to our park.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
You don't leave this job after you leave work. I am continuously working on park related stuff at home or during my off-time. Because it is related to the Great Outdoors, I don’t get burned out like I think if I would be working in other fields.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Being outside in such a beautiful setting, working with park visitors, and the diversity of my work.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Every four or eight years brings new elections at the state level and parks leadership is subject to change. Often these new people will bring in their own viewpoints and goals into the park service. It is challenging to fulfill the core responsibilities of a professional while meeting the expectations of the new leadership at the same time.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
You need to have a bachelor's degree to be hired as a Ranger or Interpretive Specialist in Tennessee State Parks. A bachelor's degree in a resource related field is helpful. However, people have been hired with degrees in criminal justice or even art.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
The more field experience you can get identifying trees, birds or other aspects of the natural world would help tremendously. Any skills and experience in public speaking is also important. My job is fairly physical, so it is also important to stay in shape and develop habits that keep you fit.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
In the last 10 years, we have added several thousand new acres to my park. This process has been fascinating as I have worked on the actual acquisition plus doing the inventory on the caves, plants, animals and cultural resources found on our new property. We have also been trying to come up with some management strategies for the property while stretching our available fiscal and staff resources to make it happen.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Ranger, what advice could you give them?
If you like to be outside, and are interested in nature, you will probably like this job. However, you will not make a lot of money. So don’t expect to live the luxurious life, unless your spouse has a good income.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
The purpose of state parks is vital and timely for our society: these are lands owned by the public where the natural and cultural resources are protected and interpreted so the public can learn about where we came from and the natural resources we depend on. However, the task of conserving and interpreting those resources can be difficult. The dedicated ranger or interpretor must stay focused, think creatively and be resilient in order to accomplish his or her goals.
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