DCNR Ranger Trainee - Laurel Hill State Park Complex

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Somerset County is seeking a DCNR Ranger Trainee to gain hands‑on experience in public safety, visitor service and conservation within Laurel Hill State Park Complex. This role offers structured training and progression toward a ranger position while serving visitors and safeguarding park operations.

The program emphasizes classroom and field instruction, patrol duties, public relations, and emergency response, with a 40-hour workweek and no telework option.

Qualifications

• 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 closely related field.
• Six months of experience providing visitor services in a public park, forest, recreation area, or a related center.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Training Participation: Attend classroom and field instruction to learn conservation principles, recreation practices, and public service skills
• Park Patrols: Assist with patrols by vehicle, bicycle, ATV, or boat to support visitor safety and inspect park facilities
• Public Relations: Provide information, answer questions, and present a confident and professional ranger trainee image
• Law Enforcement: Accompany supervisors on patrols, help prepare reports, and assist in maintaining logs and records
• Emergency Support: Help respond to emergencies, provide first aid and CPR as trained, and assist with traffic direction
• Report Preparation: Complete logs and summaries documenting building conditions, visitor activity, incidents, and park operations

Skills

Public safety

Visitor services

Conservation

Education

15 college credits in natural or environmental sciences

Job description

Salary

$23.15 Hourly

Location

Somerset County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Seasonal Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-57862-74745

Department

Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Division

CN Laurel Hill Prk Complex

Opening Date

09/10/2026

Closing Date

9/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

74745

Position Number

00008181

Union

PSRA

Bargaining Unit

R4

Pay Group

RG28

Bureau / Division Code

00386207

Bureau / Division

CN Laurel Hill Park Complex

Worksite Address

1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd.

City

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

15501

Contact Name

OA, CE Section Intake Division

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Begin your journey with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a DCNR Ranger Trainee. This role gives you the chance to learn public safety, visitor service, and conservation skills through real experience in the Laurel Hill State Park Complex. You will gain hands‑on training that builds confidence and prepares you for a future ranger position. Start a path that allows you to grow while helping visitors enjoy Pennsylvania's natural spaces.

Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position focuses on learning public contact, safety practices, environmental education, and basic law enforcement through classroom instruction and field training. It builds the foundation needed to carry out ranger duties while supporting visitor safety and park operations. As a DCNR Ranger Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Training Participation: Attend classroom and field instruction to learn conservation principles, recreation practices, and public service skills
• Park Patrols: Assist with patrols by vehicle, bicycle, ATV, or boat to support visitor safety and inspect park facilities
• Public Relations: Provide information, answer questions, and present a confident and professional ranger trainee image
• Law Enforcement: Accompany supervisors on patrols, help prepare reports, and assist in maintaining logs and records
• Emergency Support: Help respond to emergencies, provide first aid and CPR as trained, and assist with traffic direction
• Report Preparation: Complete logs and summaries documenting building conditions, visitor activity, incidents, and park operations

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This is a seasonal, full-time position with no healthcare benefits. The season runs from approximately March 2026 until November 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment March 2027.
• Employee will work 40 hours/5 days per week to include holidays and weekends.
• 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:

• 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
• 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
• 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 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 Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• 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.
• In accordance with Act 153 of 2014 this position is required to complete Child Abuse, Criminal and Federal Criminal History Checks around the time of hire and thereafter every 5 years

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.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

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.
• 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.