Park guide
Also known as: national park guide, area ranger, national park ranger, ranger, countryside guide, heritage centre guide
About this occupation
Park guides assist visitors, interpret cultural and natural heritage and provide information and guidance to tourists in parks such as wildlife, amusement and nature parks.
A specialisation of guide.
Essential skills and knowledge
- welcome tour groups
- sightseeing information
- geographical areas relevant to tourism
- provide visitor information
- ensure health and safety of visitors
- speak different languages
- conduct educational activities
- assemble visitor supplies
- local geography
- create solutions to problems
- provide tourism related information
- handle personal identifiable information
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Park Naturalists (O*NET 19-1031.03). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Provide care for park program animals.
- Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
- Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
- Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
- Plan and organize public events at the park.
- Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Realistic, Investigative
Top skills: Speaking, Active Listening, Writing, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness
US median pay: US$73,010 a year (2025), 25,950 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyVery important (4.0)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.4)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.1)
- HistoryO*NET: History and ArcheologyImportant (3.0)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Tour Guides and Escorts
- Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Recreation Workers
- Range Managers
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Conservation Scientists
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Foresters
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Historians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.