How to Become a Park Ranger in Alabama

The Alabama State Parks Division operates and maintains 22 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to the Appalachian Mountains providing career opportunities and facilities from basic daily activities to resort convention lodging, restaurant, and golfing areas.

Park Rangers in Alabama Job Duties

• Provide park maintenance
• Oversee all general operations of the park
• Provide security
• Ensure that park guests follow regulations
• Provide law enforcement service
• Ensure the protection of natural resources
• Educating people on best practices for protecting nature
• Working outside and caring for nature
• Collecting environmental data on plant and wildlife populations
• Helping injured or lost hikers

Alabama has many amazing National Forests such as Tuskegee, Bankhead, Talladega, and Conecuh. Being employed as a Park Ranger can be a rewarding career.

Alabama Park Ranger Education

These minimum standards must be adhered to by those considering employment as a park ranger in Alabama:

• High School Diploma or a GED
• 2 years of expertise serving or helping people in a outdoor recreational facility to also include maintenance or repair; OR
• 2 years of experience in law enforcement

Park naturalist type positions will require a Bachelor’s degree. Some common degrees include the following:

• Natural Science
• Forestry
• Parks and Recreation
• Forest Mgmt
• Natural Resources Mgmt

In addition to:

• A valid state driver’s license
• Must pass a medical exam

Alabama Park Ranger Training Requirements

All candidates must meet the basic requirements of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Act (APOST). Requirements are as followed:

• Must be 19 years old or older
• Must have a high school diploma or a GED
• Must complete all training that is mandatory before certification.
• Must be declared in good health and physically fit through medical exam
• Must be a good moral character with integrity and without any felony convictions

Those who pass the open exam of application materials, and meet the minimal APOST Park Ranger conditions, may advance to the APOST Academy for basic training.

Park rangers in the state of Alabama become associated with a primary training program through the APOST Academy along with fellow peacekeeping policemen. Trainees have to pass an agility test and a physical ability exam. Basic training comprises a passing effort on the firearms class along with 43 hours of firearms training.

APOST Academy Basic Training

Park rangers in Alabama participate in the basic training program in conjunction with fellow peacekeeping officers. All trainees must pass the physical ability test as well as the agility test upon arrival. The basic training also includes 43 hours of firearms training and a passing attempt on the firearms course.

Alabama Park Ranger and the National Park Service

There’s some discrepancy in special conditions for national park rangers, though there are many normal conditions. As you advance through the procedure, please keep these in mind.

Some requirements for park rangers may slightly differ depending on the needs of the position, however, there are several standard requirements.

Fundamental Requirements:

• Must be a current U.S. citizen
• Must have a valid state driver’s license
• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must pass medical exam and drug test
• Must have the ability to pass a criminal background check

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree along with 24 hrs of relateable coursework; OR
• Proven specialty experience, to include work such as; park guide, police officer, or have some forestry or preservation type of experience; OR
• Combination of both education as well as experience in the field

Fitness and training requisites:

One must pass a Physical Efficiency Battery evaluation to ascertain fitness level.

• Must pass the Physical Efficiency Battery exam to ascertain fitness level
• Must complete the Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program (SLETP)

Salary Information for Alabama Park Rangers

Alabama Park Rangers take home a great salary while pursuing a fulfilling career protecting the land of his or her state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Park Ranger in the state of Alabama makes a median salary of $57,640 per year.