Who cares about national parks?

Lesson 3
Who works in
national parks?

STUDENT RESOURCE
Years 3-4

NPWS helicopter with Park employees attempting to board. Credit: David Croft/DPIE

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Field officers looking at a map together on the bonnet of a car, Tomaree National Park. Credit: John Spencer/DPIE

NPWS rangers conducting fieldwork in a national park

There are more than 2,000 people working with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

NPWS staff together keep our national parks running smoothly, carrying out many different tasks.

Most jobs in national parks require formal training combined with practical experience. Each staff member is highly trained and/or experienced in their area.

You'll find out more about the kinds of jobs available in national parks as you work through this lesson. You might be surprised to discover there are a number of desk-based jobs as well as field roles in the park.

What jobs are there in national parks?

Would you like to have a job working for NPWS?

Here are some roles to consider:

ranger
firefighter
bush regenerator
pest and weeds officer
education officer
scientist
information and customer service officer
Aboriginal ranger.

All of these jobs involve protecting and caring for our national parks.

National Parks staff looking at a map on a desk. Credit: John Spencer/DPIE

NPWS staff developing park management plans

Learn more about working in national parks

First ranger story: Terry Barratt [0:46]

'I wanted to do something that I really believed in, and had a purpose to it.' Find out what inspired one of the first rangers to join NPWS.

Discover Wollemi National Park's unique species [1:00]

NPWS ranger Michael Sharp talks about his role in the search for the Wollemi pine, a critically endangered tree and living fossil that has survived for millions of years.

First ranger story: Glen Morris [1:34]

Glen Morris was one of the first Aboriginal people to become a ranger with NPWS. He joined the survey team in 1974 as an Aboriginal Sites Officer.

How do NPWS firefighters control wildfires in parks? [0:52]

When trees catch on fire they can burn from the top down like a candle. Find out how NPWS firefighters work proactively to save thousands of trees when disaster strikes.

First all-female hazard reduction burn [3:15]

Hear tales from the front line as these pioneering NPWS women band together to take charge of an essential hazard reduction burn in August 2019.

Bushfire regeneration and volunteer coordination [1:09]

Meet Deb Holloman, a NPWS employee who loves the camaraderie and outdoor nature of her work. Focusing on bushfire regeneration and volunteer coordination, Deb spends 80% of her days out in the bush.

Using helicopters to manage remote bushfires [0:40]

NPWS rangers and firefighters use helicopters to access and control remote bushfires. They take supplies to keep them going for up to 24 hours in case of an emergency.

Activities

A day in the life of a ranger

Write a diary entry describing a day in the life of a ranger using the information on this page.

Use worksheet 3.1 to record your answers.

Job role play

Imagine you are a staff member with NPWS. Choose one out of three different roles that best suits you.

Decide what equipment you would need for a day in the field doing this job.

Use worksheet 3.2 to record your answers.

NPWS job application

Imagine you are applying for a job of your choice at NPWS.

Based on your understanding of this job, how will you convince the panel you are the right person for the job?

Use worksheet 3.3 to write your application.

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