Ranger Marina Wolfe

For Marina Wolfe, working as a park ranger at Lake Wateree State Park is the perfect blend of service, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving. At just 25 years old, Marina has already built a strong foundation in the South Carolina State Park Service, fueled by a lifelong love of the outdoors and a curiosity that keeps her learning every day.

Marina grew up in Lugoff, South Carolina, where hunting, fishing, and family travel were a regular part of life. Her family’s adventures took them all over the world, exposing her to new cultures, foods, and experiences, an upbringing she credits for shaping her adventurous spirit and deep appreciation for the outdoors. That passion carried into her education at Central Carolina Technical College, where she earned an associate’s degree in natural resources management after graduating from Lugoff-Elgin High School.

Her path into the park service began during college, sparked by conversations with a classmate who was an assistant ranger at the time.  Learning about the variety of work and opportunities within state parks piqued her interest, but it was a Parks & Recreation class that truly sealed the deal. Marina applied to Goodale and Sesquicentennial state parks and quickly discovered she had found the right career fit. Wanting to broaden her experience and learn how different parks operate, she later transferred to Lake Wateree State Park, where she now serves full-time.

In her role, no two days look the same, and that’s exactly how Marina likes it. From planning and managing large events to maintaining park grounds, assisting with retail operations, and ensuring guests feel welcome, her responsibilities span nearly every corner of park operations. Along the way, she’s picked up an impressive range of skills, including backing trailers, driving tractors, fixing water leaks, troubleshooting electrical issues, organizing events, and even designing retail merchandise. One of her favorite parts of the job is seeing visitors wear items she designed for the park’s tackle shop. 

"I enjoy all parts of my job, but one of my favorite job duties is creating new designs for retail in the tackle shop. To see people wear the things I designed is an awesome feeling. I also enjoy doing projects to make the park better."

Marina also enjoys working on projects that improve the park and enhance the guest experience. Whether she’s behind the scenes or interacting directly with visitors, she takes pride in helping people feel at home at Lake Wateree. That sense of teamwork is part of what makes Lake Wateree her favorite place she’s worked. “We all work really hard,” she says, “but we have fun doing it,” a balance that makes even long days enjoyable.

Of course, the job comes with challenges. Marina notes that one of the hardest parts is finding the balance between customer service and rule enforcement responsibilities. And while she laughs about it, snakes and spiders remain a personal hurdle. Still, she embraces the unpredictable nature of the job.

Outside of work, Marina shares her life with her partner, Michelle, and a lively household of five pets—three cats and two dogs. Living close to her parents, brother, and extended family, she values the strong support system that surrounds her.

When asked whether she would encourage others to become park rangers, Marina doesn’t hesitate: "Yes! It is an amazing job and a great career path. I love working for the Parks Service and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the outdoors and has the need to help people."

The skills learned on the job, she notes, often extend beyond the park gates, from fixing household issues to tackling new challenges with confidence. Her advice to those interested in the field is simple: learn all you can about the park service and never be afraid to ask questions. "We are always happy to answer questions about our job and love helping others learn and get more interested in this career," she says.

While she isn’t an Ultimate Outsider yet, she has visited many state parks. "I am not currently an Ultimate Outsider, but I have visited a number of parks throughout the State. My favorite state park by far to visit is Devil’s Fork State Park because you get the best of both worlds, the mountains and the crystal-clear waters," she says.

At Lake Wateree State Park, Marina Wolfe continues to grow, learn, and contribute to a place she loves, proving that passion, curiosity, and a willingness to try anything can take you far. Thank you, Marina, for your dedication to the South Carolina State Park Service!

Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Parks? Click here to see our current full-time job openings or reach out to a park near you for part-time opportunities!