Any Park Officers or DEP/DEC? Thinking about joining

I'm about to graduate college with a degree in Natural Resource Management in the spring. The job market blows right now, and will for a while with the back-log of over qualified kids getting more and more education waiting for things to get better. Seems to me that I really have always liked the idea of being a ranger, and it makes a lot more sense then trying to hack it in the research game living grant to grant. I play that game during the summer and it blows, way too much work and not enough pay (or any really). Academics can kiss my ass too, I have seen the BS that researchers in an academic setting have to deal with as well.

Was just cruising the NY OPRHP site and stumbled across the details of being an officer for them after a 1 year training period.

Sounds good to me, minimum 44k which expands with rank, inflation and the cost of living for where I get stationed. OI also get a minimum of 43 days off while I am working and half pay plus bennies when I retire at age 49.

Am I nuts for seriously considering this? I mean its not an amazing amount of money, but its not something to scoff at either and it is solid and consistent work.

 

You are not nuts for considering this. You need to go for this. It interests you and it is steady work.

Go for it. And good luck.