NPS & SASP

Welcome to the Park Service

U.S. Park Rangers and San Andreas State Parks Maintenance Personnel play a vital role in running public parks, informing visitors & upholding the safety of both the resource and visitors. From running shuttle services, maintaining park facilities and touring park visitors, being a member of the NPS or SASP offers a variety of responsibilities to those willing to take on the challenge.  

It's important to understand that the roles disclosed in this SOP are not, in any way, related to Law Enforcement or Security. NPS Interpretive Rangers and SASP Maintenance Personnel may advise visitors of laws and park rules, but they must not attempt to enforce them. Instead, park personnel should contact the nearest NPS Protective Ranger or SASP Peace Officer regarding illegal activity in the park. 

National Park Service

A sub-department of the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service is the federal park & resource management agency. They are responsible for the protection & management of all national parks, monuments & recreation areas within the United States. In San Andreas there are two National Parks: Senora National Park & Raton Canyon National Park/Chiliad State Wilderness, the latter of which is shared with SASP. Each park is headed by a 'Park Superintendent', which is the Public Works Director.

When employed by the National Park Service, you will hold the title of Park Ranger (I) - In this case, the (I) stands for Interpretive. Interpretive Rangers provide information to visitors – either practical information such as directions, timetables and weather forecasts, or educational information in the form of guided tours, on-and-offsite talks, demonstrations, and reenactments. They also help maintain the National Parks in which they serve, often repairing park facilities, roads & trails. They are a part of the Office of Interpretation and Education, within the Department of the Interior.

Interp. Rangers are NOT Law Enforcement Rangers. Law Enforcement Rangers are referred to as Park Ranger (P) - Here, the (P) stands for Protective. Protective Rangers are sworn, federal Law Enforcement Rangers. They have the powers to arrest and enforce state & federal laws - This role is part of SAR's LEO Faction. They are a part of the Office of Visitor and Resource Protection, within the Department of the Interior.

San Andreas State Parks

Your Duties in the NPS & SASP

Due to the difference in the nature of both of these jobs, duties between them are varied. The duties listed here are just some of the things you should expect from each agency, but feel free to reach beyond what is mentioned here, complex situations may lead to you performing more tasks than just the ones listed here. 

National Park Service Interpretive Ranger

• Guided Tours - Touring visitors around park landmarks and providing them with information about the park, it's monuments & it's history.

• On-and-Off Site Talks - Providing talks to a large collection of park visitors and providing them with information about the park, it's monuments & it's history.

• Shuttle Services - Transporting park visitors between towns/accommodation and the park via our shuttle services.

• Repairing Park Facilities - Repairing damaged roads, trails & park facilities - Including signs, toilets, trash facilities, camping areas & parking lots.

• Directing Traffic - Allowing for the smooth flow of traffic in the event of a road closure or high traffic density.

• Closing Park Facilities - Closing areas of the park at the direction of the Park Superintendent or a Supervisory Protective Ranger.

• Patrolling Roads & Trails - Ensuring visitors & the resource are safe, and reporting any illegal activity to a Protective Ranger.

• Manning Park Facilities - Working in information booths or park entrance booths.

• Manning Fire Watch Towers - Helping spot brush fires around the area that their tower covers.

San Andreas State Parks Maintenance Personnel