Park Service recruits students to guard historic sites, diversify force on fast-track to jobs

Park Service has students guard historic sites

BALTIMORE — The National Park Service is facing a shortage of rangers at urban park sites like Fort McHenry and has enlisted Temple University in Philadelphia as a partner to try to fill those gaps.

An internship program trains Temple students for jobs once they graduate. As interns, they are helping to guard such historic sites as Antietam, Gettysburg, Independence Hall in Philadelphia and Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

The four-year, paid internship program is called ProRanger Philadelphia.

The internships are not permanent. Students can drop out at any time, but if they complete more training, they are fast-tracked to full ranger status.

Rangers collect federal benefits and a salary from $33,000 up to $65,000 after years of service, depending on the location.