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What is a park interpretive specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

A part interpretive specialist is responsible for making the visit to a park memorable. This person makes use of sound, videos, photos, and other means to ensure an educative and interesting tour. A park interpretive specialist explains the historical relationship and occurrence between humans, animals, and plants. Their job is to also serve as a guide on a trail. A park interpretive specialist normally works with a park ranger, naturalist, or natural resource educator and leads interpretive walks, researches, and provides content for and during tour guides.

As a park interpretive specialist, you can earn an average of $21.79 per hour. A park interpretive specialist must be able to interpret effectively and must be grounded in cultural history. They should also be able to host a great tour. To become a park interpretive specialist, you must hold at least a bachelor's degree with a related background.

ScorePark Interpretive SpecialistUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $43,411

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.19%

Asian 1.41%

Black or African American 0.81%

Hispanic or Latino 2.50%

Unknown 3.03%

White 91.07%

Gender

female 54.22%

male 45.78%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.2

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Park interpretive specialist career paths

Key steps to become a park interpretive specialist

  1. Explore park interpretive specialist education requirements

    Most common park interpretive specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    77.7 %

    Associate

    10.9 %

    Master's

    7.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific park interpretive specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Interpretive Programs18.14%
    Cultural History17.70%
    Natural Resources12.52%
    Visitor Services11.69%
    DCR9.97%
  3. Complete relevant park interpretive specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New park interpretive specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a park interpretive specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real park interpretive specialist resumes.
  4. Research park interpretive specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Present activities to teachers and lead portion of guide canoe trip.
    • Manage and staff park entrance station facilitating camping reservations and assisting day use visitors.
    • Participate in canoe, bike, train, and school group programs.
    • Process computerize campsite reservations, register overnight campers by computer or self-registration systems and prepare relate reports with ORMS system.
  5. Prepare your park interpretive specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your park interpretive specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a park interpretive specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable park interpretive specialist resume templates

    Build a professional park interpretive specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your park interpretive specialist resume.
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
    Park Interpretive Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for park interpretive specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a park interpretive specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first park interpretive specialist job

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Average park interpretive specialist salary

The average park interpretive specialist salary in the United States is $43,411 per year or $21 per hour. Park interpretive specialist salaries range between $23,000 and $80,000 per year.

Average park interpretive specialist salary
$43,411 Yearly
$20.87 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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