Description
Protect visitors, staff, and natural and cultural resources in municipal, county, state, and national parks by enforcing park rules and applicable local, tribal, state, and federal laws. Patrol parklands, campgrounds, trails, waterways, and facilities; respond to emergencies; investigate crimes, accidents, and resource violations; and engage the public in safety and stewardship.
- • Identify, pursue, and apprehend suspects within park boundaries.
- • Maintain public safety by patrolling parks, responding to emergencies, and protecting visitors, staff, and resources.
- • Enforce park regulations and applicable criminal, motor vehicle, boating, and wildlife laws.
- • Record facts and prepare incident, citation, accident, and resource-damage reports.
- • Render first aid and CPR to injured or ill visitors.
- • Conduct search and rescue operations in frontcountry and backcountry areas.
- • Investigate illegal or suspicious activities such as vandalism, arson, poaching, and theft.
- • Review facts to determine violations of park rules or statutes and take enforcement action.
- • Monitor, note, and investigate hazards, suspicious persons, and illegal activity in campgrounds, trails, and facilities.
- • Testify in court and administrative hearings on park-related cases.
- • Patrol by foot, bike, boat, ATV, snowmobile, horseback, or vehicle to detect violations and assist visitors.
- • Monitor traffic and parking on park roads and in lots; issue warnings or citations.
- • Relay complaint and emergency-request information to dispatch and command staff.
- • Verify proper legal charges and complete arrest and citation paperwork.
- • Photograph and diagram scenes and interview involved persons and witnesses.
- • Evaluate calls to determine response requirements, resources, and safety tactics.
- • Execute arrest warrants and take persons into custody when required.
- • Investigate vehicle, boating, and recreation accidents to determine causes and violations.
- • Direct traffic and manage road or trail closures during incidents, events, or wildlife activity.
- • Coordinate medical aid, evacuations, and assistance with patrol units, EMS, fire, and SAR teams.
- • Check permits and question individuals entering restricted or sensitive areas; reroute as needed.
- • Provide security for park facilities, campgrounds, historic sites, and special events.
- • Transport detainees to appropriate facilities or courts.
- • Educate visitors on regulations, safety, Leave No Trace, and wildlife awareness.
- • Seize evidence and contraband, including illegally taken natural or cultural resources.
- • Provide travel, trail, and conditions information to assist visitors.
- • Process arrestees and maintain custody records per policy.
- • Supervise or mentor seasonal rangers, volunteers, or junior officers.
- • Place individuals in protective custody when necessary for safety.
- • Conduct community and school outreach on outdoor ethics, fire safety, and violence/drug prevention.
- • Assist with wildfire prevention, initial response, evacuations, and scene security.
- • Collaborate with wildlife, environmental, and public works agencies on joint operations.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
