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National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

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  • #1

    National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

    Looking kind of far in advance, I'm hoping to double-major in college in wildlife sciences and American History. Because biology just isn't a field that you go into expecting to make a solid living with only itself, and the simple fact that the current administration is pretty much butchering the job opportunities in that field, I'm kind of looking for some input from some of you that either work for the government, or are at all knowledgeable in the field.

    I've been obsessed with the war since I was about 3 years old, and I don't see why I shouldn't turn out some kind of career using all of my knowledge and educational ability. Yeah, I could be a teacher, and I'll probably end up teaching part-time eventually anyway, but I've got an interest in working at a battlefield itself.

    Now, I know a few of you actually DO work at National Battlefields, so I direct this message more to you than others. I understand there is such a position at some battlefields as an "interpretive ranger" who does interpretive/living history programs, though I'm not sure if he also doubles as a regular park ranger for the site? Also, I read something last time I was at Manassas about a Battlefield Biologist position?

    Just looking for some general information about working at a battlefield, and what jobs/careers I might want to look into after graduating.

    Thanks!

    Eric, please change your avatar to conform to forum rules - Mike Chapman
    Last edited by dusty27; 02-03-2004, 08:42 PM.
    [SIZE="4"][B][COLOR=RoyalBlue]Eric Michael Burke[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE]
    [B][I][SIZE="2"][COLOR="SlateGray"]"BLACKJACK!"[/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B]
    [I][URL="http://www.saltriverrifles.com"]Salt River Rifles[/URL][/I]

    [URL="http://xvcorps.blogspot.com/"]Forty Rounds: Fifteenth Army Corps, 1862-1865[/URL], Blog Owner.

    [SIZE="1"][i][U][B][COLOR="DimGray"]In Proud Memorium:[/COLOR][/B][/U]
    [B]Pvt. James Swingler Chandler (3x Great Grandfather)
    [/B]Co. H, 111th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
    [B]Pvt. John D. Linthicum (4x Great Grandfather)
    [/B]Co. F, 118th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
    [B]Pvt. Martin Van Buren Straight (3x Great Grandfather)
    [/B]Co. E, 23rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry
    [B]Cpl. Andreas Schoen (3x Great Grandfather)
    [/B]Co. A, 30th Missouri Volunteer Infantry
    [B]Pvt. Madison Burke (3x Great Grandfather)
    [/B]Battery B, 1st Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery
    [B]Pvt. Eli Bell (4x Great Grandfather)
    [/B]Co. C, 31st Alabama Infantry[/i][/SIZE]
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

    You may want to look up Lee White. Lee is an NPS ranger at Chickamauga.
    Robert Johnson

    "Them fellers out thar you ar goin up against, ain't none of the blue-bellied, white-livered Yanks and sassidge-eatin'forrin' hirelin's you have in Virginny that run atthe snap of a cap - they're Western fellers, an' they'll mighty quick give you a bellyful o' fightin."



    In memory of: William Garry Co.H 5th USCC KIA 10/2/64 Saltville VA.

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    • #3
      Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

      Eric,

      Closer to home, the Rangers at Wilson's Creek NBP would be a good bunch to contact. John Sutton, Jeff Patrick and Todd Wilkenson would probably all be happy to speak with you about career opportunities with the NPS. In fact, their annual volunteer training is set for 9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 13 and will be followed by new volunteer orientation at 1:00 p.m. Ray House volunteer training will be one week later at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 20, followed by Bloody Hill volunteer training at 1:00 p.m. Historic weapon training will be held at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, April 17 (this is an all-day session and is required for anybody wanting to participate in historic weapons firing presentations). Small living history demonstration/lectures occur throughout the year, but this summer will feature special events on June 12-13 portraying Sigel's 3rd Mo. and on August 7-8 the Missouri State Guard (see the events folder for more info on the MSG event).

      Remember, the job of Ranger covers a broad range of duties and living history would be but one of them. Good luck!

      Charles D. Hoskins
      Charles D. Hoskins
      [URL="http://www.holmesbrigade.freeservers.com"]http://www.holmesbrigade.freeservers.com[/URL]
      [URL="http://http://starofthewestsociety.googlepages.com/"]http://http://starofthewestsociety.googlepages.com/[/URL]
      Member, Company of Military Historians
      Member, CWPT
      Washington Historical Society
      Board Member, MCWRA

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      • #4
        Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

        Or you could try this link. The job descriptions will tell you a little and there's a ton of contacts: http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/job...7&SUBMIT1.y=19

        If that doesn't work try http://www.usajobs.opm.gov apparently the series number is 0025

        Don Smith

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        • #5
          Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

          Don't forget State Parks and Museums.
          [FONT=Times New Roman][b]Tripp Corbin[/b][/FONT]
          [URL=http://www.westernindependentgrays.org/]Western Independent Grays[/URL]
          [URL=http://www.armoryguards.org/]Armory Guards[/url]

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          • #6
            Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

            Eric,
            I had a co-worker at a previous job who majored in historic preservation at SEMO. Granted, he didn't end up working in that area (he was a paid, professional Boy Scout) but I do remember discussing his major with him. He did an internship at Shiloh one summer. Might be something to consider.

            Matthew Easley
            Barleycorn Boys
            Matthew Easley

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            • #7
              Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

              Eric,
              I work at Petersburg National Battlefield and have since April 2001. Most living history geared positions are seasonal (i.e., summer). That used to be the case at Petersburg, however since summer 2001, every day Park Service employee living history has been cancelled and axed due to budget restrictions. The usajobs website previously mentioned is a good place to look. NPS is looking for people who have studied something useful for them. History, of course, is useful in your interst for historic places. Most of the time, if looking for something permanent you won't be dressing in Civil War clothing. Perhaps one day we can look forward to more monies in NPS sites...
              Sincerely,
              Emmanuel Dabney
              Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
              http://www.agsas.org

              "God hasten the day when war shall cease, when slavery shall be blotted from the face of the earth, and when, instead of destruction and desolation, peace, prosperity, liberty, and virtue shall rule the earth!"--John C. Brock, Commissary Sergeant, 43d United States Colored Troops

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              • #8
                Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

                Well Park Ranger I know isn't a great-paying job, but its definetly a consideration for me. Money isn't really a concern (obviously since I'm double majoring in Biology and History and I'm not looking for money :P) I just want to enjoy myself and do what I love. To go to work every day at a place like Petersburg, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Gettysburg, Manassas .... hell I don't think I'd ever want to leave work! Hehe
                [SIZE="4"][B][COLOR=RoyalBlue]Eric Michael Burke[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE]
                [B][I][SIZE="2"][COLOR="SlateGray"]"BLACKJACK!"[/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B]
                [I][URL="http://www.saltriverrifles.com"]Salt River Rifles[/URL][/I]

                [URL="http://xvcorps.blogspot.com/"]Forty Rounds: Fifteenth Army Corps, 1862-1865[/URL], Blog Owner.

                [SIZE="1"][i][U][B][COLOR="DimGray"]In Proud Memorium:[/COLOR][/B][/U]
                [B]Pvt. James Swingler Chandler (3x Great Grandfather)
                [/B]Co. H, 111th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
                [B]Pvt. John D. Linthicum (4x Great Grandfather)
                [/B]Co. F, 118th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
                [B]Pvt. Martin Van Buren Straight (3x Great Grandfather)
                [/B]Co. E, 23rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry
                [B]Cpl. Andreas Schoen (3x Great Grandfather)
                [/B]Co. A, 30th Missouri Volunteer Infantry
                [B]Pvt. Madison Burke (3x Great Grandfather)
                [/B]Battery B, 1st Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery
                [B]Pvt. Eli Bell (4x Great Grandfather)
                [/B]Co. C, 31st Alabama Infantry[/i][/SIZE]

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

                  Well, As Em put it, right now is a lean time for the NPS, hopefully things will get better in the future. Within the park service there are several types of Rangers, you have Interp, Guides, and Historians who get to do the historical work. My advice would be to look for a park that is going to be able to hire seasonals this year, by going to USAjobs, and get your foot in the door that way. There have been very few perminant spots open there as of late.

                  Lee White
                  Lee White
                  Researcher and Historian
                  "Delenda Est Carthago"
                  "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings, Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

                  http://bullyforbragg.blogspot.com/

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                  • #10
                    Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

                    And as you look to the future, here's another option worth considering. A few (very few) colleges are now offering a masters in "public history". There are also a few BA programs out there, I'm just not familiar with them, as Darling Daughter is about to complete a BA in english and history, and is now shopping for a graduate school.

                    The degree in Public History has the requirements of a standard history major, with additional basic work in business, accounting, marketing, architecture and restoration, and such like--the purpose being to equip one to operate museums, historic sites, state parks, and so on.
                    Terre Hood Biederman
                    Yassir, I used to be Mrs. Lawson. I still run period dyepots, knit stuff, and cause trouble.
                    sigpic
                    Wearing Grossly Out of Fashion Clothing Since 1958.

                    ADVENTURE CALLS. Can you hear it? Come ON.

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                    • #11
                      Re: National Battlefield "interpretive rangers"

                      Eric,

                      At your presnt age, one of the best things you can do to start the trek down the road to having a career in historical interpretation is to volunteer at one of your local historic sites. There are several within an hour drive of you that interpret the 1860s. It's not as "glamorous" as working at an NPS Battlefield, but it will help you gain the knowledge & skills that were common in the CW era and are so lacking in reenacting ranks.

                      Phil Campbell
                      Chicken Neck Mess
                      Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, Olathe KS.
                      Phil Campbell

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