The Intermountain Region ProRanger Program

The ProRanger Program at Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M University

We are in the process of moving the ProRanger Program from San Antonio College to Texas A&M University in College Station, TX  and Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, TX. Our application for the 2016-2017 class is available. Send an email to Dr. Lavell Merritt the ProRanger Program Manager and request a ProRanger 2016-2017 Application.

lavell_merritt@nps.gov

What is the ProRanger Program Now

The ProRanger Program is a 2 year training program. We are recruiting highly motivated, focused, and adventurous students to apply to this program.

In order to be eligible you  must be:

• 1st semester junior when applying to the fall application. 
• You must have at least a 2.5 gpa. 
• You must be a US citizen. 
• You must be able to attend a ProRanger class at Texas A&M University or Prairie View A&M University during the spring 2016 semester, fall 2016 semester, and fall of 2017 semester. 

There is an extensive background investigation, drug test, medical examination and several physical fitness tests throughout the program. You must be physically fit to be excepted into this program.

Law Enforcement Training Program 

During the spring semester of the second year students go to Colorado Northwestern Community College to attend their National Park Service Law Enforcement Park Ranger Academy. Your tuition will be paid by the NPS. You will not be able to take your academic degree courses during this semester. Housing and meals are covered in the tuition. You will also receive a small stipend and travel support to attend this academy.

Summer Internships

There are two 12 week summer internships during the months of May - August. During the first internship you are working in a National Park, learning all about the NPS and gaining hands on experience in an NPS visitor center, giving public tours, working on trails, gaining useful skills in protecting our public lands. The second summer internship the ProRanger Cadet is a commissioned law enforcement park ranger. The ProRanger Cadet LE carry's out all of duties of a federal law enforcement officer. After the second summer internship the final ProRanger class focuses on wildland fire fighting, structural fire fighting and incident command systems. The graduate of the program will be certified in law enforcement, wildland fire fighting, structural fire fighting and incident command systems. Upon completion of the ProRanger Program and the student earning their academic degree they are eligible for non competitive hire as a permanent career US Park Ranger.

Please contact Dr. Lavell Merritt if you are interested in the Intermountain Region ProRanger Program.

lavell_merritt@nps.gov

ProRanger Graduate Jonathan Moul

I am Jonathan Moul. ProRanger is a fantastic Ranger intake program that emphasizes not only the law enforcement side of the National Park Service, but also the fundamentals and origins of our policies and the purposes behind them. The two and half year program includes two summer internships in which the cadets are exposed to various divisions and duties associated with running a park and being a Ranger. This sort of approach builds character and well-rounded individuals who are shaped and molded to become successful career Rangers. The program also sets up parks to hire knowledgeable people who believe in and are committed to the mission of our agency.

My journey with the program began in the fall of 2011 while I was working as a STEP Interpretive Ranger at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.  Through the program I was enabled to expand my knowledge of the NPS as well as hone my own skills in areas such as research, Operational Leadership, and most importantly communication.  The lessons I learned in the program have assisted me in the beginning of my career and my ability to quickly jump in to the routine of my new park.

As a ProRanger cadet I had the opportunity to work at Grand Teton National Park as a Generalist Park Ranger in 2012 and as a commissioned LE Ranger at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in 2013.  Over the summers I made connections and friendships with Rangers and other employees who were able to guide and mentor me as I continued to grow in my capacity as a sharp young Park Service employee. 

 

 

Jonathan did his first summer internship at Grand Teton National Park. He was able to work in all branches of that parks operations. He was a great asset to the park. He made strong connections to coworkers and did great work fo the resource.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Jonathan's second summer internship was at Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. In this capacity he served a level II Protection Ranger.

 

 

US Park Ranger Jonathan Moul is now in a permanent protection ranger postion at Grand Teton National Park in the Colter Bay District.

 

ProRanger Gradaute Rosileen Ferioli

I am Rosileen Ferioli and my journey towards becoming a United States Park Ranger began with the ProRanger Program in 2011. These past few years in the program have been very beneficial for my career.  Throughout the program I was mentored by many Park Rangers across the United States each with their own distinct background and experience. Not only did they provide me with great insight and advice into law enforcement and the agency as a whole, but they also connected us to an extensive network of people across the United States. The ProRanger Program has guided me in entering the community of park rangers which isn’t just a job title but a lifestyle. 

My experience in the ProRanger Program has provided me with valuable information on the history and mission of the National Park Service. It has also instilled in me, as well as other ProRanger Cadets, a passion and dedication to National Parks that makes working for this agency much more meaningful.

Rosileen did her first internship at San Juan National Historical Park. She worked in interpretation and spent a very good amount of time working in protection. Rosi speaks Spanish fluently and works very well with people. SAJU greatly benefitted from from Rosi's contribution to park operations.

 

 

 

Rosi's second summer internship was at Yellowstone National Park. While at YELL Rosi participated in structural fire trainining, wildland fire training, search and rescue, EMS, law enforcement, interpretation and resource management. She learned a lot and contributed a lot to the successful achievement of the NPS Mission.

 

 

US Park Ranger Rosileen Ferioli is now in a permanent protection ranger position at Independence National Historical Park . 

ProRanger Graduate Trent Haire

 

I was born in Amarillo, Texas, but was raised just south of Houston, Texas. I returned to Amarillo for high school. After high school I moved to San Antonio to attend the University of Texas of San Antonio. I come from a divorced family and grew up with my mom , step-father, and sister.  I have a four year-old brother from my dad’s side and a two year-old adopted brother on my mom’s side. Most people only have one father and in some cases no father at all. I was blessed enough to have two fathers growing up. I have a one year old niece that is the love of my life. Family and friends are very important to me because I don’t know where I would be without them.

I am participated in the ProRanger Program because this was a rare opportunity to learn and position myself in the path of success. I have always had a love for mother nature and the great outdoors. Over the past couple of years I have grown very intrigued by law enforcement. The ProRanger Program gave me the chance to pursue a career in a field that is a combination of the two. I plan on working hard and making the most of this opportunity.  I joined this program to not only better myself, but to help others.

Trent did his first internship at Yellowstone National Park. He gained a broad spectrum of excperience working at Yellowstone. Trent engaged in activies in the backcountry, front country, working with visitors and the various highly skilled staff at this icon National Park.

 

Trent's second summer internship was at Gulf Island National Seashore. Trent was an outstanding asset to the staff at GUIS. He engaged in all aspects of Rangering and truly enjoyed his work at GUIS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Park Ranger Trent Haire is now in a permanent protection ranger position at Gulf Island National Seashore.



ProRanger Graduate Nathaniel Moreno

ProRanger Graduate Nathaniel Moreno PR02

 

I was born in Corpus Christi, TX. I am one of four boys, with two very encouraging parents. It has been their words of wisdom and teachings that have lead me to my successes in life. While attending the Baptist University of the Amerícas studying for my BA in Business Leadership I resided in San Antonio, TX. I was an athlete all through my childhood up into my sophomore year at BUA. I enjoy the outdoors, especially going fishing. Growing up, my family and I shared many outdoor experiences. It is those memories which have brought me upon the road I travel today.

 

I am participated in the ProRanger Program because I have always dreamed of a career such as this. My encouragement to pursue it has been the multiple times I have been told a career either in law enforcement or a lawyer would suit me well. After the door opened up for this program I went for it. I feel it is a career that I will love and enjoy everyday not only because it’s not only my dream job, but I feel it’s the door of opportunity to my other dreams in life.

 

Nathaniel came to the ProRanger Program with prior experience in the National Park Service as a participant in the Mid West Region Student Academy. He had worked at Missouri Recreational River.

 

Nathaniel went on to do his first summer internship with ProRanger at Buffalo National River.

 

 

 

Nathaniel really got is hands dirty achieving the Mission at Buffalo River National Recreation River. His second summer internship was at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

US Park Ranger Nathaniel Moreno is now in a permanent protection ranger position at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore