Looking into becoming a wildlife agent or park ranger

Armed Mage · Jul 11, 2014

Long story short, I'm not doing that well in my job and if I lose it, which I most likely will, I'll probably have trouble getting another in this field, so I'm considering different career options I may be more passionate about.

One thing I've had many people tell me over the years is that they think I'd enjoy and do well in is a conservation LEO; like a wildlife agent, park ranger, etc. I was looking on the LDWF website on becoming an agent, and it looks like I would meet the qualifications since I have enough college semester hours. However I have a friend who's going through the BRPD academy right who told me that it's very competitive. I don't have any LE experience but I have 2 years active military service (honorable discharge), no criminal record aside from a few traffic tickets, and am in good physical shape.

So for those with more experience and knowledge in this than I, do you you think I have a good shot at becoming an LDWF agent or something similar in this state? And if so what would you recommend I do in the meantime to better my chances?

RedStickChick · Jul 11, 2014

I know someone who applied to be a LDWF agent. It's incredibly competitive and they've almost always gone with individuals with former LE experience and/or military.

Maybe try getting on with BRPD/EBRSO and get some experience under your belt. I know BRPD has a cadet class going through right now, but I'm not sure about EBRSO.

Just something to check into.

Epi5 · Jul 11, 2014

Ive been told by a friend i had with them that unless you have 4+ years in college, or time in the military/law enforcement they wont even look at the rest of your application.

So at least you make it into consideration.

If your discharge from military was from injury that "may" be an issue. As wildlife agents tend to be in rougher conditions/terrain compared to normal LEO work.

GL to ya. Hope you find something good.

Gator 45/70 · Jul 11, 2014

Nephews one down in Terrebonne/Lafouche area, He did 2 tours in Iraq and worked swat in N.O. He's still active duty, 256 Black Sheep's I think is the local group he serves with?

whitsend · Jul 11, 2014

State Park Ranger is easier to get into if there is an opening. With a 4 year degree you can get straight into management which is still LE. Without a degree you can get into management in 4 years. Managers get a house on the park, but you usually have to move.
Pay is not bad, job is mostly laid back, but you work EVERY holiday.
When I was a Park Ranger I had regular contact with Game Wardens which can help if you ever want to transfer. (I should have stayed with it)
I've heard the LDWF academy is the toughest in the state.

Vermiform · Jul 11, 2014

Park Ranger sounds fun. You couldn't pay me enough to be a Game Warden though. Every person you encounter will be armed, most likely with the firearm in their hands and they will seldom be happy to see you even if they aren't doing anything wrong. Also, your backup could be miles away.....

323MAR · Jul 11, 2014

Park Ranger would be a good start. You would enjoy very much.

whitsend · Jul 11, 2014

I don't see any openings for a Park Ranger, but keep an eye out, or ask a park manager or ranger if they know of any that are about to come open. BE WILLING TO MOVE.

I loved the job for the most part. (Hated my manager at the end)
Got lots of free food from campers. Ate grilled tuna steak for the first time from a camper. :bigok:

The winter can be DEAD, I had several days where I saw nobody all day. But I was at the smallest state park in the state, Lake Bruin.
In just over 2 years I wrote one ticket and gave one firm warning where I could have written a ticket.
While I was training at Lake Claiborne one of the other rangers got in pursuit of a car that fled the park. Ruston PD caught them. Car was stolen.

Mostly checking on campers, day visitors, and boaters.

edman87k5 · Jul 12, 2014

No offense to anyone, but isnt starting pay for a park ranger well under $30k/yr? And almost guaranteed to work most weekends and all holidays? Do people really spend years in college and then take jobs like this?
I camp in a lot of state parks and know someone that did a brief stint as a park ranger. He told me his pay was something like $10/hr maybe 6-7 years ago.

whitsend · Jul 12, 2014

edman87k5 said:
No offense to anyone, but isnt starting pay for a park ranger well under $30k/yr? And almost guaranteed to work most weekends and all holidays? Do people really spend years in college and then take jobs like this?
I camp in a lot of state parks and know someone that did a brief stint as a park ranger. He told me his pay was something like $10/hr maybe 6-7 years ago.

Yes.
Yes. Although I did have one manger that would alternate weekends and holidays with me in the slow season. From Memorial Day to Labor Day it was every weekend.
Depends. With a 4 year degree you can start as a Manager 1, but a Ranger 1 job is a stepping stone to getting there. Many state jobs go to current state employees. Game Wardens use state park boat launches so I got to know all the local wardens, including the Lieutenant. That can help with getting a Game Warden job. Or you can get into a Park Manager position and max out at $71,344 to $81,682 with FREE housing. More if you become a District or Regional Manager.

Pay scale:
Job Title__________________Pay Level__Minimum____Maximum
PARK RANGER 1____________PS106_____$21,008____$47,278
PARK RANGER 2____________PS107_____$22,485____$50,586
PARK RANGER SPECIALIST___PS109_____$25,750____$57,907
PARK MANAGER 1__________AS613_____$27,664____$58,240
PARK MANAGER 2__________AS615_____$31,678____$66,685
PARK MANAGER 3__________AS616_____$33,904____$71,344
PARK MANAGER 4__________AS617_____$36,275____$76,336
PARK MANAGER 5__________AS618_____$38,813____$81,682
PARKS DISTRICT MANAGER__AS620_____$44,450____$93,517
PARKS REGIONAL MANAGER__AS621_____$47,570____$100,069

Armed Mage · Jul 12, 2014

whitsend said:
State Park Ranger is easier to get into if there is an opening. With a 4 year degree you can get straight into management which is still LE. Without a degree you can get into management in 4 years. Managers get a house on the park, but you usually have to move.
Pay is not bad, job is mostly laid back, but you work EVERY holiday.
When I was a Park Ranger I had regular contact with Game Wardens which can help if you ever want to transfer. (I should have stayed with it)
I've heard the LDWF academy is the toughest in the state.

Thanks, I'll look into it more. I'm concerned about the pay though, $21k is pretty lean money for full-time, I make about $35k in my current profession. It'd probably be best to start as management but I have no desire to go back to school, especially since I'll still be paying off student loans from my 18-month A&P school for a long time.

I generally don't mind working holidays, but I am active in a fraternal organization in NOLA where I have some close friends I'd like to hang out with at least once or twice a month. So for that reason the closer I can get something to NOLA the better. Other than that though I'm single and mostly a social hermit so it might be a good fit in that regard.

Looks like the LDWF is out of the question at this point. Even if I meet the minimum qualifications I doubt I can compete with the guys with LE experience and combat deployments.

petingrass · Jul 12, 2014

edman87k5 said:
No offense to anyone, but isnt starting pay for a park ranger well under $30k/yr? And almost guaranteed to work most weekends and all holidays? Do people really spend years in college and then take jobs like this?
I camp in a lot of state parks and know someone that did a brief stint as a park ranger. He told me his pay was something like $10/hr maybe 6-7 years ago.

Job market is still tough. Don't forget those few years there where the entire global economy almost collapsed.

Prior to that there's a decades long history of wages not rising as fast as inflation and productivity.

Danny Abear · Jul 12, 2014

La state parks job is gonna be tough; every, and I mean every park employee that I have talked to in the last few years complained about there job- no raise in about 4-5 years, and cutting back on all staff, very low morale

sandman7925 · Jul 12, 2014

If you can't get into the LDWF and the money on the park ranger thing isn't enough I'd suggest try to get offshore. Being ex-military and an Aviation mechanic I think you would stand a decent chance of getting a job. Also the NDT (non destructive testing) field is booming. Starting pay in that with no experience will likley pay as much or more than what you're making now.

whitjct · Jul 16, 2014

Franklinton Park Police is hiring....if you can make the sacrifice of a pay cut it will get you your POST certification and open a lot of doors down the road, specifically Wildlife and Fishiries.

Also look Into fed jobs, as a veteran you have preference for almost any open position.

Good luck...it won't happen overnight stay motivated

Armed Mage · Jul 16, 2014

whitjct said:
Franklinton Park Police is hiring....if you can make the sacrifice of a pay cut it will get you your POST certification and open a lot of doors down the road, specifically Wildlife and Fishiries.

Also look Into fed jobs, as a veteran you have preference for almost any open position.

Good luck...it won't happen overnight stay motivated

I saw that open position this morning and did my application for the LEAPS test, I'll go take it sometime within the next few days.

Though I've already applied to a couple technician jobs in NOLA, so if one of them offers me a job and the pay is decent I'll probably take it, but until that happens I'm keeping my options open.

RedStickChick · Jul 16, 2014

Armed Mage said:
I saw that open position this morning and did my application for the LEAPS test, I'll go take it sometime within the next few days.

Though I've already applied to a couple technician jobs in NOLA, so if one of them offers me a job and the pay is decent I'll probably take it, but until that happens I'm keeping my options open.

Take your LEAPS test AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Depending on where you go to take it, they can turn you away if there are too many other applicants. When I took mine I got there early and made sure to make it in the room. They turned away 6 or 7 people.

Armed Mage · Jul 20, 2014

Took my LEAPS last Thursday in BR. Got a 99, though for the most part it was very easy.

Submitted my application today so hopefully I'll be getting a call for an interview within the next couple weeks.

WOLFIE · Aug 25, 2014

Any update ?

Armed Mage · Aug 26, 2014

WOLFIE said:
Any update ?

I got an email back from the Baton Rouge office saying my application was forwarded to the hiring manager for the screening process, but that was about a month ago and that was my last contact. I know they can take a while to respond but at this point I'm not definitely not holding out for it.

Looking into becoming a wildlife agent or park ranger

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