Becoming a Park Ranger for Tennessee State Parks

Fundamental Requirements

Every Tennessee State Parks Ranger has a different story about why and how they became a Park Ranger, but all meet fundamental requirements, including:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.

• Be willing to and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons;

• Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of application;

• Be a citizen of the United States;

• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation;

• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;

• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;

• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check;

• Have no conviction for a felony or have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces;

• Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position;

• Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position;

• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment;

• Upon appointment, successfully complete a prescribed course of instruction at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy or have successfully completed the equivalent of the prescribed course.

Bachelors Degree

The day-to-day work of a ranger requires a diverse skillset, so candidates must be well-rounded and adaptable. Each ranger at Tennessee State Parks has graduated from an accredited university with at least a bachelor's degree.

Suitable Majors

No specific major is required to be a ranger for Tennessee State Parks. However, hiring managers may look for candidates with specific degrees depending on a park’s unique mission and needs. For example, a historical park may favor candidates with Humanities backgrounds, while a park that features protected species may favor biologists. Current Tennessee Parks Rangers come from a variety of educational backgrounds, including degrees in:

• Accounting

• Anthropology

• Biology

• Business Management

• Criminal Justice

• Forestry

• History

• Marketing

• Parks & Recreation Management

• Philosophy

• Sociology

• Wildlife & Fisheries

Current Openings

All Tennessee State Parks Rangers are full-time employees of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Individual parks hire on an as-needed basis as position vacancies arise. Internal and external candidates may view current career opportunities by visiting TN.gov.