Current Position: Park Ranger for Coolidge State Park in Plymouth, Vermont.
How long have you been with Vermont State Parks and in what capacity?
Eight seasons as a Park Ranger.
How did you become involved in working as a Park Ranger?
My son, Pete, was a naturalist for the parks system. He recommended me for the job to bring me east from Montana. I’d been working in forestry in Montana and wanted to move east and work in the same field and be closer to my children and grandchildren.
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.)
A typical day consists of opening the contact station, then doing morning rounds. A plan for the day is then developed. Cleaning bathrooms and sites is a priority. Tasks are assigned to staff members. Selling fire wood and checking people in in the evenings and then doing night rounds.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
I work in a paid 48 hour/week position, but my week usually consists of 60+ hours.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Communicating with campers. Being able to visit with our guests and share stories and information with them. Also, playing guitar with other guests.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
At times it can be difficult to keep all of the campers happy. It’s my job to enforce rules and some people resent or resist heeding those rules.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
My prior experience in forestry has proven to be sufficient. Maybe it would have been easier if I had some computer experience. Having been an E.M.T. has also been useful.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
My first year at this park, I built a log cabin playhouse for our playground. This year we have developed and completed a group camping area for our campers, which included building a fire pit. And I made benches to surround the fire pit using downed trees from our forest. I am presently working on plans to develop and construct a nature center for our campground. I’m hoping that construction will begin next year.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Ranger, what advice could you give them?
A positive attitude is a must, especially when the going is difficult. Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
It’s a great job and can be a lot of fun. Being seasonal can be a problem, but the biggest problem with the job is the lack of benefits –- especially medical.
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