Ranger Quentin Knorr

Quentin Knorr serves as the Senior Ranger at Hunting Island State Park, bringing strong leadership, a wide skill set, and a passion for public service to his role. At just 24 years old, Quentin is responsible for supervising ranger staff and overseeing a wide variety of operational and maintenance tasks that support one of South Carolina’s most visited state parks.

Originally from Medford, Wisconsin, Quentin moved to South Carolina as a child and later earned his Associate of Arts degree from Midlands Technical College. He began his career with South Carolina State Parks nearly three years ago as an Assistant Ranger at Hunting Island. His dedication and work ethic quickly led to a promotion to Off-Park Ranger, and shortly after, he was offered a Ranger I position at Aiken State Park. In 2024, Quentin was named Ranger of the Year for his outstanding service. Today, he has come full circle, now serving as Senior Ranger at Hunting Island.

In his current role, Quentin performs a variety of duties, from facility repairs and natural resource management to developing trail systems and supporting park projects. He particularly enjoys days dedicated to planning and building.

One of the most challenging aspects of Quentin’s role as a park ranger stems from his strong personal standards and attention to detail. “I always want to fix things and do them correctly the first time and not just a quick fix,” he explains. This mindset drives his work ethic and ensures that the improvements he contributes to the park are sustainable and thoughtfully executed, even when the job presents unexpected complications.

When reflecting on his time with South Carolina State Parks, Quentin says that working at Aiken State Park stands out as a memorable experience. “This is because we are always working on different projects day to day, always trying to improve the park,” he shares. More than just the work, it's the team dynamic that made a lasting impression. “We are also like a family at Aiken. When we succeed, we succeed together, and when we fail, we fail together.” That strong sense of unity and shared purpose helped create a supportive and energizing work environment.

When asked what advice he’d give to someone interested in becoming a park ranger, Quentin emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. “Always be willing to learn something new every day and take in as much information as you can," he says. "Be open to change because the park needs change daily."

Though he’s not yet an Ultimate Outsider, Quentin looks forward to visiting Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site and hopes to take a guided tour.

Quentin sums up his work in the field with a fitting phrase: “Working in the parks is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” 

Thank you, Quentin, for your hard work and dedication to the state park service! Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Park Service? Click here to see our current full-time job openings!

May 2025