National Park Service Rangers

[Squirrel]

What are the chances of getting a seasonal winter protection ranger position? I assume there are very few.......

There are a lot fewer, compared to summer seasonals. For the most part, they go to experienced seasonals. I don't have exact numbers, though.

And of course, with the new Seasonal Recruitment Center doing hiring, God only knows how that impacts things. They're asking candidates to rate their experience using motorized patrol boats, when they're evaluating them for jobs at places with absolutely ZERO water. So it's theoretically possible that you get Ranger A who outscores Ranger B, due to Ranger A's boating experience, for a job at a high desert park where the largest body of water is the sink in the maintenance break room.

So, I really don't know how experienced is "experienced enough" to get a winter job now.

[ACO88]

What are the chances of getting a seasonal winter protection ranger position? I assume there are very few.......

[ACO88]

"Skagit Valley College
Department of Criminal Justice
2405 E. College Way
Mount Vernon, Washington 98273-5899

Class Dates: Aug. 30 - Dec. 10, 2010 (S) (720 hours)
Class Dates: Jan. 3 - April 15, 2011 (S) (720 hours)

This program mandates full attendance for the 720 hours held at the Mount Vernon Campus and is not available online. The Parks Law Enforcement Academy is based on a blended curriculum meshing the SLETP curriculum with the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Officer's Program. This has resulted in qualification with a SLETP certificate and certification to work for certain agencies that require or recognize peace officer training with a natural/cultural/historic resources protection emphasis, including Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, county and local parks, and natural resources agencies in Washington or reciprocating states. The program is conducted in a full-time academy setting with a typical week consisting of a minimum of 40+ hours."

What other state agencies would accept the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Officer's Program?

[PatFWC]

I am at Southwestern(Sylva) right now going through the type 2 program. Probably the best program in terms of price and quality. Wildland fire and first responder are rolled into the program at no extra cost. The down sides to this is that the program is 650 hours and it is a requirement of the program to get tased(even though NPS requirements are different). The only program better than this is Santa Rosa.

Very hard course. No joke LE program. The NPS is stepping up their game. Can't talk about specifics of the course due to the restrictions places on us by instructors. PM me if you have any questions.

[shook0002]

I just wanted to chime in and say the Rangers that used to be on bikes overnight near 2nd and Market in Philly were aces. Really nice guys and didn't take no crap. I used to love seeing them give citations for marijuana or something and tell the people if they don't show up a US Marshall would come knocking. It was priceless to see the looks on their faces. If I didn't want to go through another academy I would seriously pursue a job with them.

[Squirrel]

I don't really understand your question about if they accept the SLETP part or the reserve part? They accept the WA St Park Ranger Academy Certification, which can be used for the full time WA Park Ranger position or the seasonal NPS positions.

Skagit runs a state reserve academy, in the vicinity of 320 required hours. They also run the Ranger academy, in the vicinity of 720 hours (which also qualifies an individual for a reserve job). I was wondering if Liquor Control was requiring the whole SLETP/Ranger academy, or if even the reserve basic was adequate enough.

[Squirrel]

That is true. However there is one state agency (WA State Liquor Control Board) that accepts the Skagit academy.

Liquor Control accepts it as full-time? And are they accepting the SLETP part, or the reserve officer part?

[Squirrel]

Colorado Northwestern (CO) used to, I believe. However, I looked at their site recently, and it doesn't mention anything about it.

Vermillion Community College (MN) seems to indicate that they're POST-certified. However, I think MN requires a 2-year degree in LE to sit for their exam, so the academy alone isn't sufficient. I would double-check just to be sure I'm reading it right, though.

Skagit (WA) gets you qualified for a Washington State reserve officer commission, but not full-time.

[ACO88]

Is the Academy at Hocking College in Ohio the only one that offers the State Peace Officer Training as part of the Academy?

[NYRESCUE]

Ok this past weekend I attended the Hadley, Mass SLETP and for those who are interested I will give a brief overview of what I found out. There are about 30 people in the class and the syllabus is lacking nothing..everything you would expect to find in a slimed down police course..just instead of doing 60hrs in constitutional law you do 30 and so on, stuff like that (400hrs). The instructors are really squared away and will be coming from all over such a Mass State Police, FLETC, Federal, Local police and so on. Most of the classroom is stuff is done in the beginning so that as the course moves on you end up doing all the practical stuff back to back to back. They will have different parks come in as well as hiring managers to see what type of people the school is putting out and thats were your networking begins...from what I understand there should be no reason why you cannot get a seasonal job. NOW for the permanent information..its pretty much what you have read here on the boards in the past..if you want the job bad enough you will make a sacrifice to where you go for right now just to get your foot in the door. I also found out there still is no bridge option for when you finish...so in a nut shell if and when you get hired you are going to Georgia for full basic training followed by field training in ANY park across the U.S.

It tough to say anymore than that right now until I get a few weeks under my belt, but I will try to give anyone interested the full breakdown of what to expect. I really am still on the fence about it all till I get a better understanding of how this will all play out in the end.

[JadedUSPP]

A combinatino of the two.

[NYRESCUE]

Let me make sure I understand what you're saying. You applied to and accepted a spot in a training program, and then you decided to find out about things like job prospects?

No I enrolled in the school about two months ago but have been following USAJOBS and the announcements, in particular the one in Sandy Hook allows you to apply if your enrolled into a SLETP program. I knew about the seasonal stuff and how to apply but I started this thread to get more information and tips on things I could not find out on my own...no big secret there. I just wanted to make sure this would work out when I finished...the program is not cheap and was interested in other people's knowledge.

[Squirrel]

Let me make sure I understand what you're saying. You applied to and accepted a spot in a training program, and then you decided to find out about things like job prospects?

[NYRESCUE]

The one I am attending starts this Saturday and is in Hadley, Ma (UMASS) and they offer a 400hr course actually. I am already a EMT-B, Firefighter 1, and Tactical Medic so hoping that stretches some when I finish. I have already applied for Philly and Sandy hook as the announcement allows you if your already enrolled. I will let you all know any info I found out this weekend.

[CACBAND]

Just wondering ,,, Do any of the Seasonal academies offer an EMT-Basic ? .. If not there might be some money in theem thinking about doing that, you'd graduate with a level 2 commission and NREMT-B, might up your chances.... just a thought

None of the seasonal academies offer EMT-B. However at several you could dual-enroll at the academy and an EMT-B program without much effort making the times work.