The Summer Ranger program is now run in conjunction with four Universities:

• Monash University
• Deakin University
• La Trobe University
• Charles Sturt University.

All summer rangers are current students at these universities. Students wanting to participate in the Summer Ranger Program should contact their Course Coordinator for more information.

First introduced in 1999, the Summer Ranger Program is a fantastic opportunity to gain industry experience and become part of a team that is committed to making a difference to our natural environment by actively contributing to the management of one of the world's great park systems.

Summer Rangers play a significant role within the organisation and are employed during peak visitation periods from November – April across the State. As many Victorians know, the summer period places great demands on all our parks. Surging visitor numbers, the ever-present threat of fire and the ongoing need to undertake priority environmental programs means that the Summer Ranger program ensures all visitors can enjoy the full range of interpretation and educational services in our parks.

Summer Rangers are encouraged to develop their practical skills and make a genuine contribution to the workplace. They will work beside experienced Rangers for a period up to 12 weeks providing assistance in the delivery of visitor services and park management.

The work will be varied, physically challenging and provide a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Parks Victoria's culture. The wonderful benefit of being selected for this program is that whilst you gain invaluable on-the-job training, you are moving closer towards your ultimate career goal and at the same time, getting paid for it!

Testimonials from previous Summer Rangers

Carlie Bronk, Summer Ranger, Berwick Area Parklands

After being a dedicated volunteer and occasional casual for Parks Victoria for a number of years, it has been fantastic to have the opportunity to work as a Summer Ranger for Berwick Area Parklands (BAP). For those who are unsure, Berwick Area Parklands is made up of a collection of parks located on Melbourne's urban/rural fringe. These parks include Churchill National Park , Lysterfield Lake Park , Cardinia Reservoir Park , Police Paddocks and a number of smaller, nature conservation reserves.

The Summer Ranger position in many parks is based around visitor management and customer service. However, during my time at BAP, I have had the opportunity to develop skills and undertake projects in both the environmental and visitor services areas. Some of these activities and projects have included; patrolling, providing information to park patrons, supervising and employing contractors in environmental and asset management works, weed control, pest animal management (pig trapping, scat collection) and working with friends groups and volunteers. I have also been developing a complete signage inventory for Cardinia Reservoir.

I have also developed skills I never thought I would have needed to be a Ranger. These include, the ability to open a variety of park gates and locks (not as easy as it sounds), the ability to manually pump overflowing septic tanks, skills to drag dead kangaroos off roads (without making too much mess), and the ability to jump two meters off the ground when a snake slithers under your feet (then pretend you are calm and under control to visitors and friends group).

The staff at Berwick Area Parklands and surrounding parks in the district have been extremely helpful and friendly and have definitely added to the rewarding experience I have had here. I will miss BAP's office and all the unique staff members who are based there and hope to work with some of these people in the future.

Alissa Woods, Summer Ranger, Mt Buffalo National Park

Over the past three months, when I was the Summer Ranger in the Dandenong Ranges National Park , I was lucky enough to be involved in a community based project with a difference. The project named 'Change and Sustainability' aimed to express the 'sense of place' of the National Park, both environmentally and artistically.

The Dandenong Ranges Music Council and Parks Victoria formed a partnership back in October 2001 to create an exciting and innovative way to actively involve the Ranges community. The result was displayed on 5 April 2003 in an original two hour musical production at the Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground called 'Changes in the Ranges'.

This production was different to anything I had been involved in before, as everything about it was real. Everything sung or spoken was actually true. I played a Ranger on stage. My first sketch involved talking to tourists about not feeding the birds and arriving in the CFA truck in my green overalls during the final song to talk about wildfire. When not in my Ranger uniform, I became a puppeteer. Judi Turnham, my supervisor, also braved the stage dressed in black to become a lyrebird, trees, timber harvesting saws, flames or a giant feral cat.

I had a ball and I think everyone involved learnt something from the experience. I enjoyed working with artists, teachers and children who I wouldn't normally have come in contact with.

In my opinion, the message behind this hard work and fun was about educating the community in protecting our precious National Park for generations to come. Everyone who sang, composed, played, acted, organised, designed, watched or listened would have learnt something new about the Dandenongs. The project both presented and created history.

No other National Park and its surrounding community has attempted using an educational tool like this. I hope 'Changes in the Ranges' will inspire other Parks and communities to continue to use innovative ways to work together towards a sustainable future.