How to Become a Park Ranger in Massachusetts

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How to Become a Park Ranger in Massachusetts

Keep your sights on the goal as you become a park ranger in Massachusetts with this handy guide.

It might take a couple of years to reach your target occupation, but within no time you can easily get employed as a state park ranger in MA.

Start with going to college once you turn 18, and make sure to study a field that is helpful for working in park stewardship.

This will send your career sailing in the right direction with a job at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

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Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Massachusetts

To be eligible to apply as a park ranger in Massachusetts, you need to cover a few basics.

Start by getting CPR/First Aid certified.

You will also need to be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license.

Then, attend a public or private college to earn an associate’s degree.

Having two years of college with or without a degree will put you on the fast track to a job as an MA state park ranger.

However, you want to have a college education that is related to the job you have as a state park ranger.

Choose a field like Criminal Justice or Environmental Ecology to get the background you need to work in this area of expertise.

You will also be required to attend Seasonal Ranger Academy after you are hired as a park ranger for the state.

This is required even for a Ranger I, which is a full-time state park ranger.

Park Ranger Duties in Massachusetts

As a park ranger in Massachusetts, the standard duties start with tending to and managing the park grounds and facilities.

From there, park rangers are tasked with providing public information and educational programs.

This job also requires state park rangers in MA to deal with emergency situations involving the grounds, animals, and visitors, as well as natural disasters and other unexpected events.

Generally, park rangers work year-round.

There are also seasonal park ranger jobs that are typically made available in the busier summer months.

Park rangers at state parks tend to live onsite with housing provided by the park, or nearby in a state or government-run properties.

State Parks in Massachusetts

Bash Bish Falls State Park

Bash Bish Falls State Park located in Mt. Washington, MA is centered around Bash Bish Falls.

This is the state’s highest waterfall and it reaches 80 feet in height.

The gorge at Bash Bish Falls State Park is a naturally dramatic place to work as a state park ranger in Massachusetts.

Connecticut River Greenway State Park

Connecticut River Greenway State Park is in Northampton for folks who want to go fishing, boating, and hiking.

Here the Connecticut River converges into a greenway that is quite expansive.

Part of the state parks system, this greenway gives visitors an opportunity to relax and unwind in this New England state.

Lawrence Heritage State Park

Lawrence Heritage State Park in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was one of the first cities in the nation to be planned.

The Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitors Center is in an 1840s boarding house, adding to the mystique of this park’s history.

The Merrimack River swells next to the park, which has been visited by immigrant populations since the early 1900s.

Skinner State Park

Located in Hadley, MA, Skinner State Park is a great place to see nature as you take a hike, quite literally.

The Connecticut River Valley opens up here to views of overreaching Mt. Holyoke.

Take this state park by the reins as you become a state park ranger in Massachusetts.

Salary

The salary for state park rangers in Massachusetts ranges from Boston, MA, where park rangers earn between $38,247 and $55,985.

The average salary for Boston state park rangers is $46,269.

Annual Salary Range:
$36K
$44K
$54K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Boston $46,269
Worcester $43,242
Springfield $42,606
Lowell $44,762
Cambridge $46,269
Brockton $44,474
New Bedford $43,284
Fall River $43,284
Lynn $46,269
Quincy $46,269

Regional Salary in Massachusetts

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Barnstable Town, MA50$85,020$40.88$134,080$53,410
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH510$72,990$35.09$105,710$39,180
Springfield, MA-CT90$93,710$45.06$168,280$48,970
Worcester, MA-CT50$70,140$33.72$100,440$49,860
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Conservation Scientists, OCC Code 19-1031, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can park rangers work in Boston, Massachusetts?

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s Park Ranger Division is in charge of hiring Boston Park Rangers.

This is a position for a park ranger to work at any of the nine Emerald Necklace parks in Boston, MA.

How long does it take to get hired as a park ranger in MA?

The hiring process is straightforward for becoming a park ranger in MA.

Mainly, as soon as you have the documents ready to submit with your application, in order to prove your experience, you can be hired.

There is no waiting period or standby time for new hires as park rangers.

What is the Massachusetts Seasonal Ranger Academy?

The Massachusetts Seasonal Ranger Academy (MSRA) is the training organization that prepares individuals to become park rangers in MA.

Is there a difference in state and city park ranger in Massachusetts?

A state park ranger works for the state government, while a city park ranger in MA works for a local city park or park system, such as the Boston Park Rangers.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation handles the hiring of state park rangers.

City managers and officials are in charge of city park rangers.

How much does it cost to become a park ranger in Massachusetts?

You need to have CPR/First Aid training and certification, as well as an associate’s degree in a related field, to be able to work as a park ranger in MA.

This costs approximately $20 for CPR/First Aid training, plus $2,000 to $20,000 for two years of college on average.

USA Park Ranger by State


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