DCNR Ranger Trainee (Seasonal) - Prince Gallitzin State Park
About The Position
Start a career that lets you serve the public while working outdoors! The DCNR Ranger Trainee position with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers an exciting path to build your skills while protecting Pennsylvania's parks. This role provides hands-on learning in public safety, environmental care and visitor service. Every day brings opportunities to grow your confidence and knowledge in a supportive team setting. Step forward into a role that grows your skills while helping keep our parks safe and welcoming! Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play! DESCRIPTION OF WORK This role focuses on learning the responsibilities of park safety, public contact, and basic law enforcement through training and guided field experience. The work helps you build the skills needed to support park operations and assist visitors in a variety of situations. As a DCNR Ranger Trainee, you will perform the following duties: Training Participation: Take part in classroom and field instruction covering customer service, conservation practices, and environmental education Patrol Support: Assist with park patrols by operating vehicles and checking facilities for safety and security Public Interaction: Provide information to visitors and support office and visitor center functions Law Enforcement Aid: Accompany supervisors and Rangers on patrol, as well as assist with reports and record keeping Emergency Assistance: Help respond to accidents, searches, and rescues while providing first aid and directing traffic Record Maintenance: Support completion of logs and reports on facilities, incidents, and attendance 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 November 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, 5 days and 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.
Requirements
- Minimum of 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
- 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
- An equivalent combination of experience and training
- Must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment
- Must possess an active motor vehicle license
- Must successfully complete a structured law enforcement training program to obtain authority in exercising the powers of arrest during the trainee period
- 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
- Must pass psychological testing (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI))
- Must pass Pennsylvania State Police and FBI Criminal Background Checks
- Must meet the PA residency requirement
- Must be able to perform essential job functions
- Must pass a background investigation
- Must submit and approve satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance
Nice To Haves
- Successfully pass a physical fitness test within 6 months of the start of employment
Responsibilities
- Take part in classroom and field instruction covering customer service, conservation practices, and environmental education
- Assist with park patrols by operating vehicles and checking facilities for safety and security
- Provide information to visitors and support office and visitor center functions
- Accompany supervisors and Rangers on patrol, as well as assist with reports and record keeping
- Help respond to accidents, searches, and rescues while providing first aid and directing traffic
- Support completion of logs and reports on facilities, incidents, and attendance
Benefits
- No healthcare benefits
- No option to buy into health care benefits
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
