People are becoming very interested in places like forests and streams. They want ownership of the health of the forests to protect them and promote native species.
May 29, 2019
(WKBW) — As we head into summer, nature lovers (click here) will start pouring into Zoar Valley in Cattaraugus County, one of New York's state forests that offer an escape from the daily grind.
"More people, more activity, but we aren't increasing the staff out here at this point," Robert Rogers, PBA representative for Region 9 Forest Ranger Division, said. Aside from his PBA duties, Rogers also covers the West Valley, including Zoar Valley as a ranger.
Right now, the State DEC says 134 Rangers cover 5 million acres of land across the state. That means one Ranger is in charge of more than 37,000 acres, which to put it into perspective, Disney World is about 25,000 acres....
Job Description of Forest Ranger 1 in New York State:
Forest rangers are sworn police officers, (click here) who work within an assigned geographic area, and enforce provisions of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) in order to protect and enhance the State's lands and natural resources and the well-being of the public who use these resources. Incumbents of these positions organize and conduct search and rescue operations; educate the public in wilderness safety and natural resource care; and administer the State's wildland fire-management program, including wildfire suppression and prescribed fire activities.
Job Qualifications can be seen as an apprenticeship. Experience matters and volunteering is all part of it to place on a resume. When applying for such employment a reference from a supervisor or two about the experience of employment and/or volunteering may win the job. Volunteering can have a dividend.
In order to qualify for a Forest Ranger 1 position, the candidate must either possess a bachelor's or higher level degree including or supplemented by 30 semester credit hours in environmental science*;
or
An associate's or higher level degree in forestry, forest technology, forest management, natural resources management, forest recreation, forest engineering, or environmental engineering;
or
An associate's or higher level degree including or supplemented by 18 semester credit hours in environmental science*;
and one of the following:
two years of qualifying technical/professional work experience in the natural resources management field;
or
two years of active United States military service with an honorable discharge.
