PARK RANGER

Location: Statewide | Anticipated starting salary: $55,929.95

About the Department

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT) has three major divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage, and Arkansas Tourism.

• Arkansas State Parks manages 52 state parks and promotes Arkansas as a tourist destination.
• Arkansas Heritage preserves and promotes Arkansas’s natural and cultural history and heritage through four historic museums and four cultural preservation agencies.
• Arkansas Tourism improves the state’s economy by generating travel and enhancing the image of the state.

About the Role

The Park Ranger serves as a certified law enforcement officer responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing state laws and park regulations, and protecting natural, cultural, and historical resources within Arkansas’s state parks. Park Rangers engage with the public, respond to emergencies, and support recreational and conservation goals through both enforcement and educational outreach.

Responsibilities

• Patrol park grounds, facilities, campgrounds, trails, and waterways to ensure public safety and security. Duties include patrolling for thefts, illegal hunting, vandalism, and other violations; making physical arrests; testifying in court; assisting local agencies; and administering first aid.
• Enforce Arkansas’s traffic and criminal statutes, park-specific rules, and regulations, including applicable Arkansas Game and Fish laws. This includes making arrests and issuing warnings and/or citations as needed.
• Respond to emergencies such as medical events, accidents, lost persons, wildlife encounters, or criminal activity, providing appropriate action or assistance.
• Conduct preliminary investigations of crimes, accidents, or incidents occurring within park boundaries.
• Serve as a public contact for park guests, providing guidance, information, and education on park features, rules, and safety protocols.
• Act as the health and safety officer for park events or provide law enforcement support as assigned.
• Assist or lead public programming for health, safety, or security needs.
• Monitor natural and cultural resources for signs of damage, misuse, or illegal activity. Collaborate with resource management staff to support habitat protection and historical preservation efforts.
• Maintain accurate records and reports of patrol activities, incidents, arrests, and safety hazards. Complete daily logs, evidence documentation, and case-related paperwork in compliance with agency policies.
• Assist with park operations including traffic control, campground compliance, and support during high visitation periods or special events.
• Participate in search and rescue efforts or emergency evacuations as needed.

Requirements

• This position is subject to 24-hour calls and requires the ability to traverse rough terrain, work varied shifts including weekends, evenings, and holidays, work in inclement weather, and carry a firearm while on duty.
• Must be a certified law enforcement officer in the State of Arkansas or able to complete Arkansas law enforcement certification training in accordance with ACA 12-9-106.
• Must pass a full background investigation meeting the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training requirements.
• All ADPHT uniformed law enforcement positions are designated as Safety Sensitive and are subject to random drug testing. Employees in Safety Sensitive positions are prohibited from the use or possession of medical marijuana, regardless of patient or registry identification card status.

Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in park management, outdoor recreation, criminal justice, criminology, or a related field; or two years of college coursework plus two years of experience in a related field. Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these requirements, excluding any mandated certifications or licensure, upon approval of the Qualifications Review Committee.

Skills

• Strong verbal communication skills for public interaction and enforcement.
• Ability to defuse tense situations and manage conflict calmly and effectively.
• Sound decision-making under pressure and in potentially hazardous or dynamic conditions.
• Excellent observational and situational awareness skills.
• Commitment to ethical conduct, impartiality, and public trust.
• High standard of personal accountability and integrity.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other rangers, law enforcement, park staff, and state agencies.
• Adaptability to changing weather, visitor volume, and emergency scenarios.

Pay

Salary range: $55,930 - $82,776