Park Manager Trainee - Resource Management and Planning Division

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is recruiting for a Park Manager Trainee in Harrisburg, PA. This hands-on role provides exposure to statewide program areas, guiding park operations and daily management across state park sites.

You will learn from seasoned managers and build skills toward future advancement within Pennsylvania’s state parks, including leadership opportunities and ongoing training. Salary ranges align with civil service scales in this region.

Qualifications

• Four years of paraprofessional or technical experience in public parks or recreation settings.
• Educational requirements align with the listed degree options or an equivalent mix of experience and training.
• Applicants may meet education requirements within three months of graduating.

Responsibilities

• Resource Planning: learn prescriptions, treatments and management strategies for natural and cultural resources.
• Operational Planning: document management decisions, workflows and park operating standards.
• Park Supervision: assist with guiding staff, reviewing performance, and supporting daily activities.
• Budget Processes: participate in budget prep, monitor expenditures and review purchasing needs.
• Public Interaction: respond to visitor questions, assist with events and coordinate with agencies and partners.
• Maintain Park Resources: contribute to natural resource care and enforcement of park rules.
• Resource Stewardship: support efforts to maintain resources and ensure safe park use.
• Facility Management: assist with maintenance, repairs, and construction across park grounds and buildings.

Education

Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field

Associate degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field

Four years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor, safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area

Two years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor, safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area; and an associate degree

A bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and training

Job description

Salary

$46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Location

Dauphin County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-57126-54310

Department

Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Division

CN Res Mgmt Plng Div

Opening Date

09/14/2026

Closing Date

9/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

54310

Position Number

00020037

Union

Non-Union

Bargaining Unit

B3

Pay Group

ST05

Bureau / Division Code

00386060

Bureau / Division

Resource Management and Planning Division

Worksite Address

400 Market Street

City

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

17101

Contact Name

OA, CE Section Intake Division

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Become a Park Manager Trainee with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and start a career that makes a real impact! This role gives you hands-on experience in the statewide program areas responsible for guidance to the Bureau of State Parks, as well as the daily operations, maintenance, and planning that keep state park sites running smoothly. You will learn from experienced managers while building skills that prepare you for future advancement. This role sets you on the path to meaningful leadership in Pennsylvania's state parks!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This trainee role provides hands-on experience in supporting park operations and bureau program areas under guidance from park management and program managers. As a Park Manager Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Resource Planning: Learn natural and cultural resources prescriptions, treatments and management strategies
• Operational Planning: Learn and document management decisions and processes, workflow, and park operating standards
• Park Supervision: Assist with guiding staff, reviewing performance, and supporting daily work activities
• Budget Processes: Participate in budget preparation, monitor expenditures, and review purchasing needs
• Public Interaction: Respond to visitor questions, assist with special events, and coordination with agencies and partners and help coordinate park events
• Maintain Park Resources: Contribute to natural resource care and help apply park rules, policies, and regulations
• Resource Stewardship: Support efforts to maintain natural resources, uphold park rules, and ensure safe and respectful park use
• Facility Management: Support maintenance, repairs, and construction projects across park grounds and buildings

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Requires travel throughout Commonwealth for training and work assignments
• Park Management is a 24-hour operation that may require overtime during emergency situations. Employee will work 37.5 hours, 5 days per week to include holidays and weekends.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• 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

• Four years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor, safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area; or
• Two years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor, safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area; and an associate degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field; or
• A bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.
• 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.
• This position requires obtaining and maintaining a commission as a State Park Officer.
• This position requires obtaining a valid certification in standard first aid and adult, child, and infant CPR approved by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent. Training will be provided by the Department

Other Requirements

• Employees must be willing to wear prescribed uniform.
• Employee must be willing to reside on park grounds when housing is available.
• 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.

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.