THE POSITION
Join a passionate team dedicated to the great outdoors and contribute to a safer environment for all. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking individuals who share this enthusiasm. Your role involves serving the public as a safety and law enforcement officer, committed to providing a secure and enjoyable experience for visitors while safeguarding the park's environment and facilities. Embrace the chance to make a meaningful impact while indulging in the wonders of nature. This is more than just a job, it is a calling to safeguard the treasures of the park and create unforgettable memories for all who visit.
Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play!
Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
In the role of a Park Ranger Trainee, you will engage in a comprehensive 12-month training program designed to cultivate essential skills and techniques related to public interaction and customer service, contemporary developments and challenges in outdoor recreation and conservation, foundational conservation principles, environmental education, public safety, as well as departmental policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and law enforcement, all aimed at equipping you to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of a DCNR Ranger.
Your role will include helping patrol the park and its facilities, as well as addressing various situations that may arise. These situations might involve safety issues, providing help to visitors, handling emergencies, and enforcing Commonwealth or park laws and regulations. You will also be responsible for keeping daily and monthly logs that track the condition of campgrounds, facilities, equipment, visitor safety, incidents, citations, arrests, accidents, and attendance.
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Seasonal full-time employment, without benefits
- Shift hours and days vary due to operational need, 8 hour shifts, 5 days per week.
- Weekends, holidays, and all shifts as needed at 40 hours per week.
- Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- Six months of experience providing visitor services in a public park, forest, recreation area, or a privately-owned and operated nature or outdoor education center; or
- Completion of 15 college credits in natural or environmental sciences, natural resource management, park management, parks or outdoor recreation, forestry, environmental education, ecology, wildlife management, or in a closely related field; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
Special Requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment
- All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license
- All employees must successfully complete a structured law enforcement training program to obtain authority in exercising the powers of arrest during the trainee period.
- All employees must obtain valid certification in standard first aid and adult, child, and infant CPR approved by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent during the trainee period.
- All employees must pass psychological testing (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Failure to pass this test is a basis for removal from the position.
- All employees must pass Pennsylvania State Police and FBI Criminal Background Checks. A record of conviction of a criminal offense for which more than one year in prison can be imposed as punishment is a basis for removal from the position.
Other Requirements:
- This position requires employees to successfully pass a physical fitness test within 6 months of the start of employment. Click here (Download PDF reader) to learn more about these requirements.
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Legal Requirements:
- You must pass a background investigation.
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This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
- Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at [email protected].
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
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You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
- Eligibility rules apply.
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