Last month, I posted about finding a less stressful job, and a reader named John left this question as a comment:

I need help transitioning into a less stressful job and enjoy the outdoors. Fishing, forestry something green. I have Bachelors in Printing Technology form Rochester Institute of Technology and am in my 50′s. I am located in Chicago. Can you direct me to an awesome career or sites?

Thanks!

John faces a number of challenges – being an older American in the job market, looking for a job outside of of his educational experience, and (I’m assuming), changing career paths. All of those things can be overcome with some hard work and dedication to the job search, so I wanted to instead focus on what I think is his biggest challenge – finding a forestry job when living in a big city like Chicago.

If you live in the mountains of Pennsylvania, like I do, you can find positions with the wildlife game commission, work at a large state campground facility, and more. In rural locations, you have options. In a city? Yes, there are still parks and campgrounds, but jobs are fewer an further between. So, let’s think outside the box. What kind of outdoor career options does someone have if they still want to live near a city?

• Urban Forester: Because people want the illusion of living in the country, urban forestry is a growing field. Working as an urban forester will allow you to work outside inspecting trees for damage in public parks, working with urban landscape designers, and working with contractors to secure environmental permits within city limits.
• Tree Planting: In many areas, reforestation efforts are occurring to help the environment reclaim areas where trees were once cut down to may way for urban development or in areas that were destroyed by forest fires. You can get a tree planting job more easily in the spring, but get your application in early to ensure a position.
• Environmental Law Enforcement: Every city hires workers to ensure that people are following the law when it comes to the environment. From policing large companies’ pollution policies to helping citizens deal with wildlife properly, these jobs may not get you out in the woods, but they still deal with the great outdoors.

If you’re looking for a super stress-free job outside, you can also apply with your city or state government to work cutting grass along the highway when the weather warms a bit. In most locations, these jobs are offered by the department of transportation.

The job market across the United States is not exactly perky right now, but there are jobs to be hand in some industries. CNN reported today that not only is the The National Park Service hiring, but they’re actually actively recruiting new workers.

According to Chief Ranger Jill Hawk, the organizations estimates that over half of the jobs available in in the northeastern part of the United States alone will be vacant.

You don’t have to work as a park ranger in the middle of the woods to work for The National Park Service, though this certainly is an option in some areas, such as with parks jobs in Alaska. One of the reason so many jobs are opening, however, is that people applying with this organization generally are looking for a job in the wilderness. However, workers are most needed in urban environments, working at sites such as a Bunker Hill in Massachusetts and Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Armed law enforcement rangers at urban parks can make $50,000 or more annually. Even as a student intern, you can get started working with The National Park Service as part of a 12-week program that pays 11 to $16 an hour.

Starting out at an urban location where need is great also gives you the experience necessary to compete for jobs at more popular locations. Ranger positions are highly competitive at places such as Glacier National Park in Montana, so putting in your time with the organization at an urban location like the Statue of Liberty is a great way to get your foot in the door for the more competitive positions. It can even lead to higher-level jobs in the government. Be flexible, especially when starting out in this field, and go where you’re needed before applying to open ranger jobs that get thousands of applications.

Who’s looking for a different kind of cool summer job? One that sets you squarely in the great outdoors? Give treeplanting jobs a look; they’re available in Canada and the U.S. The jobs are generally seasonal and no forestry degree is needed. Learn about tree planting jobs (sometimes called: reforestation) and careers in forestry on JobMonkey

We have also launched a forestry job board, which is full of current postings. Not just forestry related positions – you’ll find grounds manager positions, gardener jobs, and more. Be sure to visit multiple pages of the board as many of the best opportunities are posted on page 2 and beyond. USE THE KEYWORD SEARCH OPTION TO TRACK DOWN THE TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES OF MOST INTEREST TO YOU.

We are always finding new ways to help you expand your job search. Enjoy the job board!