


Indigenous Land & Sea Ranger
Park
Ranger, Wildlife Management
Related Jobs or Working with
these Jobs
    
   
Park rangers control, supervise and manage national parks, scenic areas,
historic sites, nature reserves and other recreational areas.
Park Rangers manage, maintain and protect natural areas that are set aside
for conservation and/or tourism. Working in national parks these workers
ensure that the public
are able to use and enjoy Australia's natural
environment, whilst protecting native flora and fauna. They patrol, monitor
wildlife, carry out surveys and other research, and inform the public on how
to appropriately use and enjoy these areas. They may also undertake basic
maintenance or lead guided walks through the habitats that they care for.
ANZSCO ID & Description:
234314:
Assists in controlling a State or
national park,
scenic area, historic site, nature reserve, recreation area
or conservation reserve in accordance with authorised policies and
priorities.
Alternative names: Environmental Warden, Ranger
, Parks & Wildlife Ranger
Specialisations:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land
and
Sea Ranger (Aus), Indigenous Park Ranger
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A park ranger needs:
- a
love of nature and the outdoors
-
motivation and independence
-
good observation and communication skills
-
physical endurance
- to
enjoy working alone
-
bush craft, survival and first-aid skills
- able to make accurate observations and recordings
- good communication skills
- able to organise and supervise work
- enjoy dealing with people
- able to handle animals with confidence and patience
- interested in land management and natural conservation
- enjoy science
- enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions
- able to endure isolation and limited social contact
- mechanical aptitude
- willing to fly in light aircrafts
- willing to be involved in incident management duties
- a full unrestricted manual vehicle drivers licence.

Duties and Tasks
Park rangers may perform the following tasks:
- assist with guided tours and promote understanding and appreciation
of the natural and cultural features of the park
- inform visitors of the park facilities and supervise public visits
- advise visitors of park rules and regulations and enforce these when
necessary
- direct parking, control traffic and collect fees from campers and
visitors
- patrol waterways, roads and tracks to observe and report on the park
environment, including the condition of animals and plants
- make sure endangered animals and plants are protected, and assist in
related research projects
- make sure that parks, park facilities and equipment are clean and
properly maintained
- assist in the development of visitor facilities
- assist in wildlife management projects, including surveys and
monitoring of wildlife
- participate in search and rescue operations
- supervise and coordinate fire management, weed eradication and
pest-control programs
- investigate and report to supervisors on matters relating to park
management
- support local communities in protecting their cultural heritage and
in developing sustainable land management practices
- conduct research into the protection and recording of Aboriginal and
historical sites
- supervise and train park staff and volunteers
- oversee crews of general maintenance workers and contractors
- attend to administrative and clerical duties
- prepare, review and implement reports, submissions, management
plans, development proposals and environmental impact assessments.
Working conditions
Park rangers spend a significant amount of their day outdoors, in all kinds
of climatic conditions. They undertake physically demanding work and may be
required to complete it in sometimes extreme weather conditions. They may
also work in isolated areas and may be required to work and stay alone in
these remote areas. These workers may also be required to travel between
parks and reserves around the state.
With experience and sometimes further training, park rangers may progress to
professional science positions or general management.
Park rangers work in many environments, such as snow fields, rainforests,
coastal regions and semi-arid areas. They may be required to work in remote
areas and move from park to park. All rangers have contact with the public.
Park rangers often work on weekends and public holidays.
Tools and technologies
Park rangers use a number of tools, including gardening and bush-clearing
equipment, measuring and recording equipment for conducting surveys,
fire-fighting equipment, and light building tools for erecting fences and
maintaining pathways.
Education and training/entrance requirements
You can work as a park ranger without any formal qualifications and get
training on the job. However, entry into this occupation may be improved by
obtaining a qualification in conservation and land management, environmental
science or a related field.
The Certificate III in Indigenous Land Management, and VET courses in
Conservation and Land Management, and Environmental Monitoring and
Technology are offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training
organisations throughout Australia.
You can also complete a traineeship. The national parks conservation worker,
Indigenous lands worker and senior conservation worker traineeships usually
take 24 months to complete.
You may improve your employment prospects if you complete a bachelor degree
in science with a major in environmental science or environmental
management.
Most of these roles in government now require an
appropriate tertiary qualification in Natural Resource Management,
Environmental Management, Conservation and Land Management or a related
discipline. This may be a VET qualification, but there is strong competition
for these roles so increasingly, employers are looking for a bachelor's
degree, usually in science. To get into degree courses you usually need to
gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent. English,
mathematics, biology and earth & environmental science would be appropriate
subjects to study prior to university.
Employment Opportunities
Park rangers are mainly employed by government agencies. Competition for
positions is strong, and employers usually require applicants to have some
park or nature-orientated experience. Some park rangers move between States
and Territories and into forest officer,
fisheries
officer or land protection officer positions. Opportunities may also be
available to work as conservation officers with local councils.
With experience, and sometimes further training, park rangers may progress
to professional science positions or general management.
Overall employment of park & wildlife rangers is
projected to remain neutral, as the number of employment opportunities is
very dependent on government funding.
Rangers are employed in federal and state government agencies, such as
National Parks & Wildlife (NPWS), State Forests, Department of Lands,
Department of Primary Industries, as well as in national parks organisations
overseas. Competition for roles is high.


    
   
Parks & wildlife rangers protect, manage and enhance the natural
environment in national parks, nature reserves and recreational areas. This
can include grassland, native forest, coastal areas, mountains, rivers or
marine habitats.
ANZSCO ID:
234314 
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become a parks & wildlife ranger, you would need:
- an interest in land management and environmental issues
- the ability to make accurate observations and recordings
- good communication skills
- practical skills for using tools and equipment
- the ability to work alone or as part of a team
- to enjoy dealing with people
- to handle animals with confidence and patience.
Duties and Tasks
A park ranger working in wildlife management may also
perform the following
tasks:

- capture and relocate potentially dangerous animals
- manage commercial and recreational harvesting of native wildlife
- inspect commercial operations making use of wildlife
- make sure people follow laws and procedures
- process animal permits
- care for sick, injured or orphaned animals
- clean cages and prepare food and water for caged and captive animals
- make sure public facilities are clean and operable.
Working conditions
Your standard full time working week is likely to include weekends and
public holiday rosters. Weekend work could increase during school holidays,
particularly in summer. Part-time or seasonal work should be readily
available. You would spend some time in an office
or visitor centre, but a lot of your time would be spent outdoors, in all
weather conditions. You would do a lot of walking, and might need to travel
between sites or parks. You would receive training in wildlife handling,
fire management, weed eradication, pest control and enforcement.
Education and training/entrance requirements
Most of these roles in government now require an appropriate
tertiary qualification in Natural Resource Management, Environmental
Management, Conservation and Land Management or a related
discipline. This may be a VET qualification, but there is strong
competition for these roles so increasingly, employers are looking
for a bachelor's degree, usually in science. To get into degree
courses you usually need to gain your senior secondary school
certificate or equivalent. English, mathematics, biology and earth &
environmental science would be appropriate subjects to study prior
to university.
Employment Opportunities
Overall employment of park & wildlife rangers is projected to remain
neutral, as the number of employment opportunities is very dependent
on government funding. Rangers are
employed in federal and state government agencies, such as National
Parks & Wildlife (NPWS), State Forests, Department of Lands,
Department of Primary Industries, as well as in national parks
organisations overseas.
Competition for roles is high.
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