Volunteers and Careers
Park Ranger Experience
Jeremy Dawson
“I like meeting people and talking about my country. I really like taking tourists on bush tucker walks and talks around Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), plus working with Traditional Owners jointly in the National Parks through the Flexible Employment Program.”
“We had a fire workshop in the Davenport Ranges and a part of it was going out burning with Rangers from other parks around Alice Springs…but the best part was going up in a helicopter and seeing the park from the air. This was the first time I had ever been flying. It was great!”
Shirley Burgemeister
“What I like most about my job is the variety, no two days are the same. I also like working outdoors in the bush. Most people save up all year to go on their holiday and visit some of the parks I work in. Not only do I get to see much more of the park than what the average visitor does...I also get paid to see it!'
“Rangers in the Territory get out and get their hands dirty, but also are involved in planning and management decisions. I worked as a Ranger in another state and spent most of my time in front of a computer planning projects, while field officers did the rewarding job of actually implementing them.'
Mark Anderson
“The best thing about being a ranger in the Territory are getting to work in great places such as Rainbow Valley and Chambers Pillar, as well as working with great, like minded people. The amount of knowledge and skills that one can learn in as a Ranger in the Northern Territory is also a great bonus.'
“One of my favourite moments as a Ranger in the Northern Territory was when I worked on the removal of two salt water crocodiles from Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). They were so big and amazing to see up close, and to get the opportunity to work closely with the Crocodile Mgt team was an awesome experience. Also getting up close and personal with Australia’s largest predator was a humbling experience.'
Shane Bloomfield
“My background is Station work, so a lot of the work as a Park Ranger is similar, like fencing, erosion control, keeping the water tanks at a reasonable level, feral management (which can be animals, weeds) and vehicle maintenance.'
“Living and working in a remote park is great… The relationship you develop with your work colleagues is they become your family away from your family.'
Leanne Forrest-Rathbone
"The best thing about being a Ranger is that every day is different… Some days are physically challenging, others intellectually but everyday has something interesting in it. Some of our core duties include: fence patrols, walking trail maintenance and patrols, fauna and flora surveys, community education mainly through the Junior Ranger program with local schools, campground maintenance and fire management, which can be lots of fun.”
“It is very refreshing working for an organisation that looks after and cares for its staff to the best of its ability. It is a great privilege to be able to work in and visit some of the most remarkable parks in Australia and contribute to their protection. Support for training always makes the future look brighter and there is lots of opportunity for personal development.”
“Living remote does the bank balance wonders too, it’s a great way to get ahead financially (if you use your money wisely!)”
Phil Cowan
'The variety of work is probably the best thing about the job. One day you might be on a remote fence patrol camping out in the park, the next you might be conducting a guided walk for the public. The variety of office and field based work is also pretty good, providing a balance between the two. Working and living in such beautiful landscapes is also hard to beat.'
'Living on the park where you work is the best thing about being a ranger in the Northern Territory. You get to experience so much more – going for walks, seeing animals that you wouldn’t normally see and enjoining the landscape from your backyard is a fantastic opportunity.'
