Park Resource Ranger, DCNR - Park Regional #4 Regional Office

Full Job Description

The Department of Conservation & Natural Resources is excited to announce an opportunity for a seasonal Park Resource Ranger position. This role is integral to enhancing the visitor experience at Big Elk Creek State Park and White Clay Creek Preserve, where you will engage with the public, provide essential visitor services, and promote outdoor recreation activities. As a Park Resource Ranger, you will play a vital role in ensuring public safety while fostering a welcoming environment for all park guests. If you are passionate about nature and enjoy working with people, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact in these beautiful natural settings. Do not miss out on this opportunity—apply today!

Requirements

In this position, you will be responsible for ensuring public safety within the parks by patrolling the area via vehicle, on foot, or by bicycle to address any existing or potential issues that could jeopardize the health and safety of visitors. Your duties will include inspecting buildings, facilities, and grounds for safety hazards, taking immediate corrective action, posting warnings, or implementing controls as necessary, and promptly reporting any concerns to your supervisor. You will also monitor visitor activities to ensure the appropriate use of park facilities, securing and checking buildings, equipment, and amenities to prevent vandalism and theft.

Additionally, you will provide essential information to park visitors regarding available facilities, activities, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, environmental history, points of interest, and nearby state parks. In emergency situations, you will deliver effective care, including CPR, First Aid, and search and rescue operations for lost individuals. Utilizing the park's reservation system and other software, you will issue permits for launches, moorings, camping, and pavilion reservations while accurately accounting for all revenue collected and preparing bank deposits. You will inform visitors about park rules and regulations, encouraging voluntary compliance, and issue courtesy notices in accordance with Bureau Policy and Philosophy. Collaboration with State Police and other enforcement agencies will be essential, particularly in crowd control situations, as you respond to complaints, non-vehicular accidents, and incidents, reporting any legal violations to the Park Manager or DCNR Ranger Supervisor.

Effective communication is key, as you will employ proper radio procedures to minimize traffic while ensuring that supervisors, ranger staff, maintenance personnel, and clerical staff are informed of any developments in the park that may impact their responsibilities. You will be tasked with preparing daily ranger logs, incident reports, vehicle usage reports, and other documentation in a timely manner to maintain accurate records of park activities and incidents.

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 March 2026 until November 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment March 2027.

Days/shifts will vary due to the seasonal nature of the position, employee will work 37.5 hrs. 5 days per week to include 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.
• 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.
• In accordance with Act 153 of 2014 this position is required to complete Child Abuse, Criminal and Federal Criminal History Checks around the time of hire and thereafter every 5 years.

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.