DCNR Ranger Trainee Laurel Hill State Park Complex

Commonwealth of PA; Somerset (Somerset County); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, seeks a DCNR Ranger Trainee for the Laurel Hill State Park Complex. This entry‑level role focuses on learning public safety, visitor service, and conservation skills through hands‑on training and classroom instruction, preparing you for future ranger duties.

You will participate in park patrols by vehicle, bicycle, ATV, or boat; assist with reports and logs; and support emergency responses while building

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 related field.
• Six months of experience providing visitor services in a public park, forest, recreation area, or related nature/outdoor education setting.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Training Participation: Attend classroom and field instruction to learn conservation principles and public service skills.
• Park Patrols: Assist with patrols by vehicle, bicycle, ATV, or boat to support visitor safety.
• Public Relations: Provide information and present a professional ranger trainee image.
• Law Enforcement: Accompany supervisors on patrols and help with reports and logs.
• Emergency Support: Respond to emergencies and assist with first aid/CPR as trained.
• Report Preparation: Complete logs and summaries documenting conditions and activities.

Skills

Public safety

Visitor services

Communication

Education

15 college credits in natural or environmental sciences

Job description

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:No telework available 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.

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.