State Park Ranger I

State of Maryland • Allegany, MD

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Park Service is recruiting State Park Ranger I employees for statewide vacancies. This is intermediate-level work in the operation of a State park. Rangers interpret and apply park rules and regulations to encourage voluntary compliance, coordinate forest and park programs, and inform visitors about park resources. They provide frontline operations, administration, information, education, interpretation, resource management, and visitor services supporting natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources. Duties include serving visitors; maintaining and protecting resources, equipment, grounds, facilities, campgrounds, and day-use areas; operating park facilities; supporting public safety and medical emergency response; performing administrative work, park maintenance, and cash handling. Work locations may include visitor centers, nature centers, campgrounds, cabins, picnic shelters, concessions, trails, and beaches or swimming areas.

Employees do not supervise permanent employees, but may guide seasonal employees and volunteers or direct and oversee temporary, contractual, or seasonal staff performing park operations work. They receive moderate supervision from a State Park Ranger Supervisor or another designated administrator; the posting also identifies the Assistant Manager or designee as the supervisor for these positions. Employees may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays and may be called in based on staffing needs. Work is indoors and in the field under various weather conditions, requires travel throughout Maryland, and may involve lifting 25 pounds or more, wearing protective clothing and equipment, carrying specialized tools, walking on uneven or rocky surfaces, and bending or stooping in confined spaces. A Maryland-valid motor vehicle operator’s license is required when assigned duties involving operation of a motor vehicle. Employees subject to call-in must provide the agency with a phone number where they can be reached.

Requirements

• Five years of qualifying experience, including one year in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or in preparing, developing, or delivering programs interpreting natural, historical, cultural, or recreational features, plus four additional years in park management, recreation, or a natural or cultural resources-related field.
• As an alternative, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in park operations, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences, history, or a natural resources- or history-related field, plus one year of qualifying experience in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or in preparing, developing, or delivering interpretive programs.
• As an alternative, a master's degree from an accredited college or university in park management, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences, or a natural resources-related field.
• As an alternative, qualifying U.S. Armed Forces commissioned-officer military service experience in specified management and program clerical and assistance classifications or specialty codes in the general, administrative, clerical, and office services field may substitute year-for-year for required experience.
• Possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in Maryland if assigned duties requiring operation of a motor vehicle.
• Provide the employing agency with a reachable phone number because employees are subject to call-in.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Ability to meet physical demands that may include lifting 25 pounds or more, wearing protective clothing and equipment, carrying specialized tools, walking over uneven and rocky surfaces, and bending or stooping in confined spaces.

Nice To Haves

• 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 in interpretation or environmental education.
• Experience with money handling.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply park rules and regulations to ensure voluntary compliance with park standards.
• Coordinate forest and park programs and inform visitors about park resources.
• Provide visitor services and frontline park operations, administration, information, education, interpretation, and resource management.
• Maintain and protect natural and cultural resources, equipment, campgrounds, day-use areas, grounds, and facilities.
• Operate park facilities, which may include visitor centers, nature centers, campgrounds, cabins, picnic shelters, concessions, trails, and beaches or swimming areas.
• Support public safety and respond to medical emergencies.
• Perform administrative duties, park maintenance, and cash handling.
• Provide guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers, and may direct or oversee temporary, contractual, or seasonal staff performing park operations work.
• Travel throughout the State as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed