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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.