State Park Ranger I

State of Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 40,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service, is seeking a State Park Ranger I to join statewide operations. You will interpret park rules, provide visitor information, and support forest and park programs across facilities and outdoors.

The role involves working weekends and holidays, lifting up to 25 pounds, and traveling across the state to maintain safe, enjoyable park experiences for the public.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in park or forest management or related interpretation programs.
• Mastery of park operations and ability to interpret park rules for the public.
• Experience working with volunteers or seasonal staff is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply park rules to ensure compliance and safety.
• Coordinate forest and park programs and inform visitors about resources.
• Provide services to visitors, maintain facilities, and support operations.

Skills

Park operations

Program delivery

Visitor services

Education

Bachelor's degree in park operations or related field

Master's degree in park management or related field

Job description

Introduction

This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.

GRADE

STD0014

LOCATION OF POSITION

STATEWIDE – eligible list will be used to fill vacancies across the state

Main Purpose of Job

State Park Ranger I is the intermediate level of work in the operation of a State park. Employees interpret and apply Park rules and regulations to ensure voluntary compliance with park standards, coordinate forest and park programs, and inform visitors of forest and park resources. Employees in this classification do not supervise, but may provide guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers. Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a State Park Ranger Supervisor or other designated administrator. Employees may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays and may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs. The work is performed indoors and in the field under various weather conditions. The work requires lifting objects weighing twenty-five pounds or more and traveling throughout the State. Employees may be required to wear protective clothing and equipment, carry specialized tools, walk over uneven and rocky surfaces and bend or stoop in confined spaces.

POSITION DUTIES

State Park Ranger I is the intermediate level of work in the operation of a State park. Employees interpret and apply Park rules and regulations to ensure voluntary compliance with park standards, coordinate forest and park programs, and inform visitors of forest and park resources. Employees in this classification do not supervise, but may provide guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers. Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a State Park Ranger Supervisor or other designated administrator. Employees may be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays and may be submitted to call-in based staffing needs. The work is performed indoors and in the field under various weather conditions. The work requires lifting objects weighing twenty-five pounds or more and traveling throughout the State. Employees may be required to wear protective clothing and equipment, carry specialized tools, walk over uneven and rocky surfaces and bend or stoop in confined spaces. The Maryland Park Service is recruiting for State Park Ranger I positions statewide. Candidates in these positions will serve as Park Rangers serving under the supervision of the Assistant Manager or their designee and will be responsible for directly providing services to visitors, maintaining and protecting natural and cultural resources, equipment, campground and day use areas, grounds and facilities. These positions perform front line work achieving operations, administration, information, education, interpretation, resource management and visitor services in support of the management of natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources for the benefit of the public. Candidates will be required to work weekends, evenings and holidays. These positions perform a wide variety of outdoor/indoor duties that contribute to the quality of the park visitors’ experience. This includes but is not limited to providing customer service, operating park facilities, ensuring public safety, responding to medical emergencies, administrative duties, park maintenance and cash handling. The facilities may include, among other areas, visitor centers, nature centers, campgrounds, cabins, picnic shelters, concessions, trails and beaches / swimming areas. Candidates in these positions do not supervise permanent employees, but may supervise and provide direction / oversight to other employees performing park operations work, including temporary, contractual or seasonal employees.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Five years of experience, one year of experience in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or preparing, developing or delivering programs that interpret natural, historical, cultural or recreational features and an additional four years of experience in park management, recreation or a natural or cultural resources related field.

Notes

• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of park operations, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences, history or a natural resources or history related field and one year of experience in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or preparing, developing or delivering programs that interpret natural, historical, cultural or recreational features for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of park management, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences or a natural resources related field for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in management and program clerical and assistance classification or management and program clerical and assistance specialty codes in the general, administrative, clerical, and office services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Desired Or Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in State Park operations
• Experience working in a National, County or City Park
• Experience in park maintenance, including landscaping, carpentry and plumbing
• Experience in volunteer management
• Experience or training with interpretation or environmental education
• Experience with money handling

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Special Requirements

Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the employing agency with a phone number where they can be reached.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not accept information submitted after this date. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all education and experience related to the essential functions and qualifications of this position. For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you provide all the experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.