DCNR Ranger Trainee (Seasonal) - Pymatuning State Park

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Pymatuning State Park within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) seeks a seasonal Ranger Trainee to support public safety and visitor exploration of Pennsylvania’s natural areas. You will learn patrol duties, emergency response, and community engagement while joining a team committed to protecting Pennsylvania parks.

The position runs approximately March 2026 through November 2026, with shifts 3:00 PM–11:00 PM, five days a week, and no healthcare benefits.

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 private nature or outdoor education center.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Park Patrols: Operate vehicles, ATVs, and boats to monitor park grounds and ensure visitor safety.
• Public Assistance: Provide directions, answer visitor questions, and support park office operations.
• Law Enforcement: Enforce park rules, investigate incidents, and cooperate with police and wildlife agencies.
• Emergency Response: Provide first aid, direct traffic, and take charge during emergency situations.
• Safety Inspections: Inspect facilities, equipment, and grounds and complete daily and monthly reports.
• Professional Conduct: Maintain a professional ranger presence through strong communication and knowledge of park operations.

Education

College credits in natural/environmental sciences

Job description

If you are enthusiastic about the beauty of nature, enjoy connecting with people, and wish to make a significant difference in the lives of others, consider joining Pymatuning State Park within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as a seasonal Ranger Trainee. This position allows you to support public safety while helping visitors explore the beautiful natural areas of the Commonwealth. Here, you will have the opportunity to further develop your skills as you learn how to participate in patrol work, emergency response, and community engagement. Apply today to join a team that values professionalism, service, and a strong commitment to protecting Pennsylvania parks!

If you are enthusiastic about the beauty of nature, enjoy connecting with people, and wish to make a significant difference in the lives of others, consider joining Pymatuning State Park within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as a seasonal Ranger Trainee. This position allows you to support public safety while helping visitors explore the beautiful natural areas of the Commonwealth. Here, you will have the opportunity to further develop your skills as you learn how to participate in patrol work, emergency response, and community engagement. Apply today to join a team that values professionalism, service, and a strong commitment to protecting Pennsylvania parks!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position focuses on ensuring the safety of park visitors, protecting park resources, and providing public contact throughout the park. Within this role, you will gain the skills necessary to conduct patrol duties, provide emergency response, participate in law enforcement tasks, and assist visitors. As a seasonal DCNR Ranger Trainee, you will learn how to perform the following duties:

• Park Patrols: Operate vehicles, ATVs, and boats to monitor park grounds and ensure visitor safety
• Public Assistance: Provide directions, answer visitor questions, and support park office operations
• Law Enforcement: Enforce park rules, investigate incidents, and cooperate with police and wildlife agencies
• Emergency Response: Provide first aid, direct traffic, and take charge during emergency situations
• Safety Inspections: Inspect facilities, equipment, and grounds and complete daily and monthly reports
• Professional Conduct: Maintain a professional ranger presence through strong communication and knowledge of park operations

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 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 in March 2027.
• Work hours are 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with a 30-minute lunch.
• • Work will be scheduled 5 days/40 hours per week. Work days and shifts will vary and will include holidays, weekends, and evenings.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

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

• 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

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
• 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.