Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy, Flagstaff, Arizona

The Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy is part of a national network where quality instruction and current technology provide extensive professional knowledge and skill development. While successful completion of the 700 plus-hour program does not guarantee employment, it does give students the competitive edge when applying for positions with federal and state land management agencies. Seasonal Park Rangers average $20 per hour and can earn between $20,000 and $35,000 depending on the length of their season.

The Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy is also valued by other law enforcement agencies. Students have used the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy to gain experience and enhance their marketability with the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and the U.S. Border Patrol, and other state and local law enforcement agencies.

Start a Career in the National Park Service

Start a Career in the U.S Forest Service

Job Opportunities

There are many types of areas managed by the National Park Service. These include national parks, national preserves, national monuments, national memorials, national historical sites, national seashores, national battlefields, national parkways, national lakeshores and recreation areas throughout the United States. Many of these areas that are administered by the National Park Service hire seasonal Law Enforcement Park Rangers. 

A partial list of parks that typically hire a number of seasonal law enforcement rangers in the southwest and inter-mountain regions include:

1. Arches National Park (UT)
2. Bryce Canyon National Park (UT)
3. Canyonlands National Park (UT)
4. Dinosaur National Monument (UT)
5. Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
6. Saguaro National Park (AZ)
7. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (AZ)
8. Petrified Forest National Park (AZ)
9. Grand Teton National Park (WY)
10. Yellowstone National Park (WY)

Although enforcing the law is a key component to working as a ranger, rangers wear many different hats in the National Park Service. We at NAU strongly encourage applicants to seek out additional training to include Emergency Medical training (i.e EMT, Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, etc), wildland firefighter certification (i.e. redcard), and search and rescue certifications. These additional skills can make you a valuable candidate and enhance your ability for job placement.