DCNR Ranger (Seasonal) - Prince Gallitzin State Park

Full Job Description

If you have a deep-seated passion for environmental stewardship and a love for the outdoors, we invite you to consider applying for our seasonal DCNR Ranger position. This opportunity allows you to become part of a dedicated team focused on enhancing the visitor experience at Prince Gallitzin State Park. In this role, you will be instrumental in advocating for responsible recreation practices while helping to maintain the park as a breathtaking and secure sanctuary for generations to come. Joining our team means you will not only play a crucial part in safeguarding Pennsylvania's natural beauty but also gain invaluable insights and experience in park management and outdoor education, enriching both your personal and professional journey.

Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play!

Requirements

The role involves actively patrolling the park's grounds and boundaries to facilitate public interaction, ensure visitor safety, and uphold compliance with park regulations as well as the Commonwealth’s Criminal and Vehicle Codes.

Patrols are conducted using various modes of transportation, including motor vehicles, bicycles, ATVs, or boats, particularly within Prince Gallitzin State Park.

This responsibility includes safeguarding visitor well-being and protecting natural resources, as well as providing assistance to those in need.

Regular inspections of buildings, structures, and facilities are performed to assess security and safety, while also ensuring that informational materials such as posters and signs are up-to-date and in good condition.

Additionally, maintaining assigned equipment and work areas in a clean and orderly state is a crucial aspect of the job.In terms of public relations, the position requires presenting a professional image as a Park Ranger, characterized by a well-maintained uniform, effective communication skills, courteous interactions, and a solid understanding of the park's environment, history, rules, and regulations.

Rangers are responsible for providing information and assistance to visitors, staffing park offices and visitor centers, and managing visitor registrations through the Aspira system.

Law enforcement duties are also integral to the role, which includes enforcing laws relevant to State Parks, making arrests, issuing citations, and investigating complaints, accidents, and crimes.

Rangers must determine appropriate actions, prepare incident reports, and collaborate with local and state law enforcement agencies, as well as the Fish and Game Commissions.

They are also tasked with prosecuting cases, presenting evidence, and testifying in court on behalf of the Commonwealth, while managing lost and found items.In emergency situations, the ranger takes command to ensure the safety of visitors and the protection of resources during search and rescue operations or accidents.

This includes providing first aid and CPR in accordance with current certifications and directing traffic as necessary.

Furthermore, the ranger is responsible for completing daily and monthly logs that document the status of various activities and incidents within the park, ensuring thorough record-keeping and accountability in all aspects of park management.

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This is a seasonal, full-time position with no healthcare benefits. The season runs from approximately March 2026, through November 2026, at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment March 2027.
• Will work 40-hour work week, 5 days per week. Will include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Work Hours are varied eight-hour shifts, with 30-minute paid lunch.
• 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

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the DCNR Ranger Trainee (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration) program; or
• Completion of a department approved law enforcement training program and 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
• One year of experience as a forest or park ranger at a park or recreational facility which includes the authority to exercise the powers of arrest.

Special Requirements:

• 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 obtain commission as a State Park or State Forest Officer and maintain this commission for the duration of employment in this job.
• 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 probationary 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:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• 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.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

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.

Additional 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.