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Everyone has a different path. When I get the opportunity to sit down with rangers at any Virginia State Park, I love to ask how they came to work here. Some take a direct route while others take the scenic route. I asked Hungry Mother State Park Ranger Nick Yates about his path to Hungry Mother.

Ranger Yates during Christmas community outreach
Nick Yates, Park Ranger at Hungry Mother State Park

Have you always known you wanted to be a park ranger?

“Not exactly, I always knew I wanted to do something that involved the outdoors. For example, when I was younger, I wanted to work law enforcement for the forestry department. I originally got started at Hungry Mother State Park in high school. One of my close friends worked a summer at the park. After talking to him about it, I decided that I wanted to work at the park as well. During that time, I developed a passion for state parks and what they stand for. I wanted to be a part of that. That’s when my focus started to shift to try and find a law enforcement position with Virginia State Parks,” said Yates.

Cardinal Law Enforecement Academy class May 2023
Cardinal Law Enforcement Academy class May 2023

From that interest in state parks, how did you learn about jobs at Hungry Mother?

For Yates, the road to work at a state park wasn’t a straight path. It is competitive for these positions. He spent a few years teaching and coaching at the local high school. “I had heard there was going to be an opening, so I began to monitor the Virginia State Parks webpage for positions.” The website lists all the available positions, both wage and full-time. The positions are listed by park so you can see what is available statewide or at the parks closest to you.

Do you have any advice for someone looking for a career with Virginia State Parks?

“Don’t give up, it can be very competitive for some of the positions. It may take a few tries before you get hired. In the meantime, get out and work with state parks. You can learn a lot of valuable skills that will help your chance of success by volunteering or working part-time. Also, it is a very rewarding job when you get to talk to visitors who have not experienced the outdoors before, or you participate in something that will make the park last. That way visitors can enjoy it for years to come.”

Getting those skills and firsthand knowledge of parks operations can make a huge difference in interview success. While working seasonally or as a wage employee is the most obvious way to gain the desired experiences, there are several other ways to get it as well.

Get involved:

Volunteer opportunities are listed here.
If you are interested in a job with Virginia State Parks, you can find the online application linked to any position listed on the website

Virginia State Parks is waiting on you.

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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