Frequently Asked Questions:

1) How can I become a Tennessee Park Ranger, Interpretive Specialist, or Park Manager?

Please see the .pdf files in our download section. Each Job category tells the necessary requirements and educational fields required.

2) Can you tell me how the hiring process works?

The first step in the Career Service employment process is to complete a State of Tennessee Employment application form and submit it to the Department of Personnel for processing. For each job classification you apply for, your application will be evaluated to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications (e.g., education, experience) required for the job. If your application is approved for a job classification requiring a written or computer-administered test, you will be sent a testing admission letter in the mail (usually within about two to three weeks of date you applied for the job). For most job classifications, testing is not required. A score is calculated for you based on a rating of the education and experience information you provided on your employment application. If you have applied for a job requiring a rating of education and experience, your rating results will be mailed to you (usually within about four to six weeks from the date you applied, but the wait for results could be significantly longer during periods of heavy application activity). Once you have obtained a passing score for a job classification (from either a rating of your education and experience or by passing any necessary written or computer-administered tests), your name is placed on a list of eligible applicants for that job classification. This list is available for use by State agencies as vacancies occur. Agencies must hire from among the top five eligible applicants who are willing to accept a particular vacant position when making an appointment to a competitive Career Service position.

3) Does it really help to take a seasonal job before trying to become a park ranger?

It most certainly does.  All experience will help but working for parks is hard to beat in the experience department.  You will make many contacts, experience park life, and learn park policies and procedures. You also may qualify on a promotional register to advance from seasonal to park ranger.  If you are interested in a seasonal position, please contact john.froeshauer@state.tn.us

4) Why should I join the Rangers Association?

To support one another , to strengthen the field and its professionalism, and to take action on common concerns by being able to vocalize the voice of the majority.

5) What has the Ranger Association done to help its members so far?

By striving towards the vision of the Association, the TPRA has accomplished the following: 501c6 status, fitness initiative, emergency contact planners, newsletters, ranger of the year award, housing supplement, monetary compensation plans, central office personnel infrastructure, memorials, policy implementation, service weapon retention, civil service status reinstatement, elevated job requirements, interview process review, legislation review and support (such as currently trying to defeat handguns in the state park legislation and increase of retirement compensation and dependants in the event of an officers death), retiree acknowledgements, emergency donation fund, social gatherings, and a spiffy new web page for better communication.

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