Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

The Work

The traditional role of the park warden, in some parts of the country, has changed considerably. Some park wardens manage various park amenities, such as bowling greens, tennis courts or putting greens. However, the work is now much more concerned with ground maintenance duties.  
 
Another development has seen park wardens become responsible for working with school or community groups and, in some places, co-ordinating volunteer workers.  
 
Park wardens usually make sure that the park, its buildings and amenities are kept clean, tidy, in a reasonable state of repair and safe to use. They may still make bookings and issue tickets in some parks. Records need to be kept of cash taken and facilities used by the general public. They may also help to staff food and drink facilities.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
• Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
• Plan and organise public events at the park.
• Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
• Develop environmental educational programs and curricula for schools.
• Research stories regarding the area's natural history or environment.
• Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.
• Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
• Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
• Plan and develop audio-visual devices for public programs.

Further Information

• Park Warden / Officer - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Many park wardens begin their careers as gardeners or garden care assistants or allied Horticulture. Training may be mostly on the job. 

Training & Development 

Courses in Gardening, Landscape Design, Horticulture may build your options in this career. These are available in educational institutes throughout the country:

FET Traineeship: Greenkeeping NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET Centre PLC courses: Horticulture, Garden & Landscape design, Garden & Parks Supervision NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET PLC coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Arboriculture NFQ Level 6, Applied Horticulture NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships 

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €77k

Salaries vary based on employer, role, duties, and conditions from ranger, Warden €27k-€51k to super intendent. 

Parks Superintendent Salary Scale 
€57,624 -€61,566 - €63,908 - €65,367 - €66,825 - €68,288 - €69,747 - €70,135 - €71,573 €73,067(NMAX) - €75,498(LSI) - €77,936(LSI2)

Data Source(s):
PAS / LGMA/ Gov.ie/ Indeed

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• National Parks and Wildlife Service

  • (01) 888 3242
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Coillte

  • The Irish Forestry Board, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow
  • Click Here

• OPW - The Office of Public Works

  • Head Office Jonathan Swift Street Trim Co. Meath C15 NX36
  • (046) 942 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• City Councils in Ireland

  • Click Here