DCNR Ranger Trainee (Seasonal) Ohiopyle State Park

Commonwealth of PA; Ohiopyle (PA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources invites applications for the Ranger Trainee position at Ohiopyle State Park. This seasonal full-time role involves park patrols, visitor support, basic law enforcement assistance, and emergency response capabilities.

Successful candidates will train in essential ranger duties, safety practices, and conservation techniques while serving park visitors and protecting natural resources.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience providing visitor services in a public park, forest, recreation area, or a related outdoor center.
• Completion of 15 college credits in natural or environmental sciences or related fields.
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Patrol park grounds by vehicle or on foot to observe the grounds, assist visitors, and check facilities.
• Provide information, staff offices, and help visitors register at park locations.
• Accompany trained staff on patrols, complete basic reports, and help maintain equipment.
• Assist in rescues, give first aid, and manage traffic when trained.
• Record daily activities, safety conditions, incidents, and attendance.

Skills

Public safety

First aid CPR

Customer service

Education

Six months of park visitor services experience

15 college credits in natural/environmental sciences

Equivalent combination of experience and training

Job description

THE POSITION

Start your path toward a meaningful outdoor career with the DCNR Ranger Trainee position at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources! This role gives you hands‑on experience that helps protect visitors and natural resources at a popular state park. You will learn safety skills, conservation practices, and public service techniques. It is a great opportunity to grow your abilities while making a positive impact.

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

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role supports public service, safety, and conservation at Ohiopyle State Park while you receive training in essential ranger duties. The work helps protect visitors and park resources through daily patrols, education, and field assignments. As a DCNR Ranger Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Park Patrol: Operate vehicles or move on foot to observe the grounds, assist visitors, and check facilities
• Visitor Support: Provide information, staff offices, and help visitors register at park locations
• Law Enforcement Aid: Accompany trained staff on patrols, complete basic reports, and help maintain equipment
• Emergency Response: Assist in rescues, give first aid, and manage traffic when trained
• Reports and Logs: Record daily activities, safety conditions, incidents, and attendance
• Physical Training: Perform regular exercise to meet required fitness standards

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• This is a seasonal, full-time position with no healthcare benefits. There is not an option to buy into health care benefits. The season runs from approximately April 2026 until December 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment April 2027.
• Days and shifts will vary, 40 hours per week to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• 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

• You 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.

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.