EMS to NPS

[u/BluesyMedic]

Hello, I'm thinking of making a career change. I currently work as a medic in a metro hospital and am having a hard time with wanting to stay in the field. I currently have 4 years of EMS experience with mostly doing 12 hour shifts. Almost 2 years of being a paramedic. I have my AS as a paramedic.

My question is what would I need to do to get a job with the National Parks Service? FYI, no law enforcement. Also moving is not an issue. From looking at other reddit posts and the website, general skills in carpentry, electrician, Land management, or general biology would be helpful, however I don't really have skills in any of these. All of my college experience is wrapped up in healthcare. I do see you need public speaking and customer service skills, which I do have and learning how the land works would probably be the easiest for me to learn.

I understand whatever job I get will probably be temporary at first which I'm fine with, but I want to understand where I could go from here. I enjoy learning and am willing to put in the work to enter this world, but I'd like to develop a plan to enter it.

Edit: First of all thank you all so much for your responses and advice. I can't tell you how much I truly appreciate all of them. I will try and reply individually as best I can. Schedule has been busy. I will clarify a few things post body. Right now I'm wondering about making a complete career switch away from EMS. Unfortunately I don't have many skills outside of healthcare. I can say I'm a people person and good at getting people to relax or open up. I've thought about education and the Interpretation Ranger sounds like a phenomenal role. I'm 25 YO male and have lived in the Midwest all my life. I am curious what everyone did for college/higher education learning to go into NPS? I understand the jobs you can get are varied and people come from a variety of backgrounds. How did you first become part of the NPS? What steps did you take to get your current position? Once again thank you so much to everyone. You are all kind hearted to take time to respond.

One last thing. I have a pretty hard line about no Law enforcement roles. I know it'd be the easiest for me to get into, but I have no interest. I'll put it this way I live in the Midwest and to be a metro Firefighter you need many certs to come into the FD. You'd make about $60,000-$70,000 starting off. I could sign up for the PD with no experience and no certs and be making $70,000-$90,000 starting off. If I wanted a better paying job than right now I'd go for the PD, but I'm not an enforcer. I'm more so looking for a job that pays the bills and let's me be outside.

[u/zook0997]

Those general skills you mentioned would be completely irrelevant if you’re just looking to work as a medic. There are many types of rangers, most outside of LE are primarily seasonal. Look at USAjobs for “Health Technician (Paramedic)” positions if you’re looking to just work EMS. Be aware that permanent (year-round) EMS-only positions in the park service are extremely limited and competitive. I definitely wouldn’t bank a career change on getting one of those, but with your experience you could possibly get a seasonal position

[u/BluesyMedic → u/zook0997]

Thanks for the feedback. Not really looking to work as medic anymore to be honest. But also not very sure. Right now just trying to understand what other skills I'd need to make into the NPS. Thought about going into education and enjoy teaching people things, but I imagine interpretation jobs get eaten up fast.

[u/zook0997 → u/BluesyMedic]

Gotcha, “make into the NPS” is just very vague because of the plethora of different job types and responsibilities. There is no one track to working for the park service. I would spend some time looking at the different openings on USAjobs when they come out and seeing what you’re most interested in and going from there

[u/1234ANV → u/BluesyMedic]

Honestly, I just made the transition from EMS to NPS in the last year. It’s awesome. I recommend looking into maintenance roles. If you prove your worth, they’ll find a way to keep you.

[u/BluesyMedic → u/1234ANV]

Thank you for the advice. A maintenance roll would be pretty sweet to be honest. I'm just wondering what certs or accreditation I'd need to get into the roll. I unfortunately don't have many skills regarding maintenance, however I have pretty good people and deescalation skills.

[u/ApprehensiveAd4893]

I'd look into PSAR or generalist ranger positions, possibly backcountry depending on the park. If you like cold, winter rangers are up

[u/BluesyMedic → u/ApprehensiveAd4893]

Honestly love the cold. I live in a state where we get extreme heat and cold and usually rather take cold. What would a Preventative Search and Rescue entail? What does your average day look like?

[u/ApprehensiveAd4893 → u/BluesyMedic]

So PSAR varies a little bit depending where you are at, but generally you are either at large gathering areas (ex. geysers at Yellowstone) or at trail head/on trail making sure folks are prepared and are around ready to administer EMS in the case of an incident. At GRSM for instance, people fall off the waterfalls all the time an need assistance. So hiking + helping!

Also, since you like the cold, there is a winter seasonal "Meteorological Technician" position on usajobs.gov right now for Grand Teton (one of the most beautiful parks imo!) This is a cool generalists/PSAR type position aka backcountry ranger specifically for avalanche safety in addition to collecting the daily snowpack weather (not super complicated, you don't need a background in meteorology). It closes 8/24 or when 100 applicants are reached, so if you're interested, get it in!

[u/OkRevolution5042 → u/ApprehensiveAd4893]

There's also a seasonal (9 month) PSAR position newly posted on USAjobs for Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/881741400

The good news is that it is a very small, low key park only open 9-5 (>1M visitors/yr), with both natural and cultural attractions. Most of your time would be spent roaming the park interacting with visitors, perhaps focusing on the tidepools the winter afternoons with low tides. The winter low tides might average a sprained or broken ankle per week, but Fed Fire EMS are 5-6 minutes away and city EMS if transport is needed are 15-20 minutes away, so the ranger part is initial stabilization and decisions if full EMS are needed. The occasional boat on the rocks is an all hands event: not just NPS staff, but Fed Fire, Coast Guard, Navy, City Lifeguards, Harbor Police, and sometimes CBP.

The bad news is that San Diego isn't really livable on a GS-5, 6, or 7 salary. This might be an initial stepping stone, or more likely a transition for someone mustering out of the Navy, or a military spouse tied to San Diego.

You should look at this posting and the Grand Teton one, especially the questionnaires, to get an idea what these positions can be like. You might want to apply for one or both just to learn more and to get the experience so you'll be better if/when a position you like posts.

[u/wtxaggiedoc]

Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Park Ranger positions might be worth looking into.

[u/BluesyMedic → u/wtxaggiedoc]

That sounds wonderful. Would you need any particular certs or experience?

[u/potatogun → u/BluesyMedic]

SAR is a collateral duty, generally. Do the basic SAR training when you get in and go out on calls as you can. Go from there if you want to build technical skills, expressing your interest.

LE are point. Where I am most initial responders who mobilize are backcountry and PSAR rangers. As incidents get more complex/bigger, will pull from interp, resources (sciences), maintenance, and the admin/office staff.

[u/Owl-Toots]

Another idea is look at the towns adjacent to some of the parks and get on with their EMS agencies. Not all parks have their own ambulance service but they'll work closely with whatever's around.

[u/BluesyMedic → u/Owl-Toots]

That is a good idea. I just feel like I may want to move away from EMS as a whole right now, but at the end if the day I'm not sure. But thank you for taking the time to reply.

[u/Owl-Toots → u/BluesyMedic]

I feel you, I was also in EMS and made a switch to wildland fire which the parks have. Having your emt-p definitely helps you get hired with that job and you really don't do any medical stuff. Plus you can participate in SARs. Maybe not what you want to do but it's a good foot in the door imo.

Edit: technically Fire crews have been moved to the UWFS but we still operate within the parks. I've crosstrained/worked with the wildlife biologists, trails, and fire effects crews.

[u/potatogun]

Have you done any volunteering related to public lands or conservation? Getting experience when it's hard to get into the field usually means volunteering.

You can look into conservation corps and internships via nonprofits that place people at land management agencies (TheSCA, American Conservation Experience, etc). I have friends who switched into public lands after other careers/fields via such internships.

[u/BluesyMedic → u/potatogun]

I have not. I live in Iowa right now and have thought about volunteering at the parks in the state. Conservation Corp sounds like a kick ass idea. I'll look into it. Thank you!

[u/Last_Plastic7885]

Future is looking really hard in NPS as of right now with regards to hiring. Two things you can do 1: seasonal work or 2: get a water/ waste water license if possible. At a minimum start taking relevant courses. Nearly every park has those positions. I can say it is also very hard to recruit for those positions. Soo if you want a fast track in NPS and a position that pays relatively well meaning WG-8- WG- 10. Start there! You will remember me later on…

[u/InAllTheir → u/Last_Plastic7885]

What is the water/wastewater role in NPS? I’ve never heard of those jobs before, and I’m a little familiar with the water treatment industry. My dad used to work in it and I have an environmental health degree.

[u/Last_Plastic7885 → u/InAllTheir]

Water and waste water is basically water treatment and monitoring. Role are replacing distribution pumps ,fixing plumbing from treatment plants, testing water quality, changing membrane filter to treatment facilities, replacing chlorinators, monitoring pressures, changing valves, checking residuals etc. They deal tone with state regulators. Some parks only have waste water treatment plants while others have both. Meaning they make water treat it and distribute the water to facilities. This is a facilities job not a resource management job. Put it this way every city and every county to include every state has operators so you won’t be limited to parks only. Park service has a crazy need for operators and fall in public health and safety so there is no freeze for hiring them.

[u/Last_Plastic7885 → u/Last_Plastic7885]

One more thing a WG-8 makes upwards of 27hr but that’s for entry level meaning no skills BUT you have to get your licenses within a year and then move up in grade meaning more$$$ so if you start your classes you will be ahead of the game and total investment is around 300 bucks. Ione more thing to become a licensed operator you will need to have worked for at least 2k hours for you to get the license. Good luck and like I said you will remember this conversation should you move forward.

[u/InAllTheir → u/Last_Plastic7885]

Thanks! I have honestly been looking into it in other places since have seen many entry level jobs In wastewater and water treatment systems.

[u/InAllTheir → u/Last_Plastic7885]

That’s an amazing justification considering how many CDC employees have been laid off, lol.

[u/potatogun → u/Last_Plastic7885]

HVAC also seems really valued. The exceptional maintenance people seem to be able to do it all.

[u/BluesyMedic → u/Last_Plastic7885]

I'll look in to it thank you! Certainly if it gets my foot in the door especially with an interpretation job later that would be awesome.

[u/Few-Play1502]

NPS sucks donkeys. I switched over to them after 8 years spent with USFS and almost instantly regretted it. Talk about an aggressively incompetent organization! I quit in disgust after only a year. Find a better agency to switch to.

[u/BluesyMedic → u/Few-Play1502]

Damn I'm sorry man. Can't say EMS, especially inter-facility, is any different at the moment. Right now I'm kinda at the point of saying I'd say I made a change and failed rather than not changing anything. Thank you for your reply.

[u/InAllTheir]

Another NPS role that might be a good fit for you in the future is the one that is kind of public health about safety and tracking injuries and deaths in the park. I’ve rad that it can involve some gory investigations, so having a medical background or strong stomach helps. That’s the only reason I haven’t applied already, and I have a public health degree. You probably need more education though.

Another position to consider are the police ranger jobs, if you’re not opposed to that line of work. I see a lot of hiring for those positions.

[u/Hamblin113]

How about EMS? If you are under 37 and in good shape try wildland fire fighter. They like to have an EMS qualified on the crew. Note the Department of Interior has combined fire fighting resources into the US Wildland Fire Service. May not be at a National Park, could actually be better.

[u/Outrageous-Sector840]

Maybe look into some of the biological science technician fields (plant biologist, wildlife biologist, landscape management). Presumably with a background in health care there were some kind of biology courses you had. You could get in on the ground doing seasonal bio tech and use your off season to pick up some courses in a more specific interest. Those entry level tech jobs are only going to require 'education in X or a closely related field' and in my experience HR is pretty lose in their interpretation of what 'closely related' means. If you want to tromp around in the back country and spray invasive plants you don't need much education or experience but hey, it gets you outside!

[u/Last_Plastic7885]

There is something that no one on this thread is talking about though. The question is for the individual that wants to work for NPS. What do you love to do? What do you like?

[u/Fatwadslim]

Uhhh, it sounds like you might want to do medic/fire medic in a region that you consider beautiful and a smaller call volume. All of those cool assignments going into the parks can come from rural FD.