Park Resource Ranger, DCNR - Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Full Job Description

The Department of Conservation & Natural Resources is hiring a Seasonal Full-Time Park Resource Ranger at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County. This role focuses on public engagement, customer service, and safety to support the proper and enjoyable use of park facilities and services. Apply today and be part of a team that helps visitors make the most of this beautiful state park!

Requirements

In this role, you will support the park manager, administrative assistant, and fellow Park Resource Rangers with a wide range of administrative responsibilities in the park office. This includes answering phones and emails, assisting the visiting public, and managing front-desk operations, which makes this a highly administrative position. You will use computer programs such as Windows and Microsoft Office/Teams to complete tasks, prepare correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other written materials, and enter data into various systems.

You will provide information to visitors, make reservations, issue permits, create reports, and collect fees using the ActiveWorks Outdoors reservation system. Duties also include distributing camping receipts to campsites and campground hosts. Maintaining a professional image is essential, demonstrated through proper uniform appearance, courteous communication, and strong knowledge of the park’s history, environment, rules, and services. You will meet with visitors to answer questions about park facilities, recreational schedules, natural features, and the surrounding area.

Patrolling the park by vehicle, watercraft, bicycle, or on foot is another key responsibility. During patrols, you will explain park rules, regulations, and policies to visitors and notify the Park Manager or DCNR Ranger if any situation requires law-enforcement involvement. You will also monitor the security of park buildings and facilities. In emergency situations, you will assist appropriate staff with search and rescue efforts, first aid/CPR, weather-related incidents, traffic control, and road closures.

Light maintenance duties may be assigned to help maintain safe and sanitary conditions throughout the park. You will inspect buildings, structures, trails, and boundaries for safety hazards, take immediate corrective action when possible, and report issues to the maintenance supervisor or manager. Additionally, you will support the Environmental Education Specialist with program scheduling, advertising, setup, and presentation, and may lead recreational activities under their direction or that of the Park Manager.

You will also assist with planning, coordinating, and implementing events and volunteer projects. Ensuring that park bulletin boards and brochure racks remain updated, clean, and well-organized is part of your regular responsibilities. Attendance at required trainings is expected, and you will perform other duties as assigned.

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. There is not an option to buy into health care benefits.

The season runs from approximately May 2026 until October 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment May 2027.

Days/shifts will vary due to the seasonal nature of the position, employees will work 37.5 hrs./5days per week including holidays and weekends

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

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
• This position requires employees obtain a valid certification in standard first aid and adult, child, and infant CPR approved by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent within 60 days of employment.

Other Requirements:

• 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.

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.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.