Park Police Officer Trainee

Pay Range

Base pay: $61,587.00/yr - $93,129.00/yr

The New York State Park Police are highly trained and dedicated to helping people and protecting the state’s natural and historic treasures. If you’re interested in a rewarding career in law enforcement, consider becoming a New York State Park Police Officer. Our team works in some of the most beautiful places in the state!

Recruitment for the 2026 Park Police Academy begins now! We will be accepting applications for the Park Police Officer Trainee position through February 18, 2026.

• Serve, protect, and preserve visitors and natural resources in parks throughout New York State.
• Handle large crowds, assist park users, search for and rescue missing persons, make arrests, conduct criminal and non‑criminal investigations.
• Provide emergency services wherever and whenever needed.
• Perform specialized duties such as marine law enforcement, snowmobile enforcement and education, high‑angle and swift‑water rescue.
• Complete a six‑month residential police academy and subsequent field training.

• Travel is required for certain steps in the hiring process, including agility testing, background investigation, medical examination, psychological examination, and Civil Service written examination.

• 13‑24 vacation days, 12 holidays, 5 personal days, and 13 sick days per year.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• No overtime compensation (salaried).
• Half‑pay retirement after 20 years of service.
• Promotional opportunities available through competitive examinations.
• Uniforms and equipment provided.

• Age Requirements: Must be at least 20 years of age at the time of hire and not have passed the 43rd birthday by October 1, 2026 (military duty may be subtracted from age if applicable).
• Education Requirements: Must meet education requirements by June 30, 2026; education includes 60 college semester credit hours or equivalent experience.
• Experience Requirements: Must have
  • 60 college semester credit hours; or
  • two years of active U.S. military service with honorable discharge; or
  • four years of U.S. military reserve or state National Guard service; or
  • two years full‑time experience as a police officer in New York State with valid Municipal Police Training Course certification; or
  • two years full‑time experience as a peace officer in New York State with valid Municipal Police Training Course certification.
  Additionally, 30 college semester credit hours can substitute for one year of required experience, and a high school diploma, equivalency, or GED is required.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and New York State resident at the time of appointment and maintain residency thereafter.
• Must hold a valid New York State driver’s license at the time of appointment and maintain it thereafter.
• Visual acuity must be 20/30 (Snellen) corrected with or without correction; 20/100 without correction is the limit.
• Drug testing (Cannabis use is not permitted).

• Submit application documents to PPOCareers.gov: initial application, DD‑214 (if applicable), official college transcripts from institution or via Parchment to PPOtranscripts.gov.
• If eligible, receive an invitation to agility testing (April/May 2026).
• Following successful agility test, proceed to psychological and physical/medical testing.
• Upon successful completion of the 12‑month traineeship, advance to Park Police Officer Grade 14.
• For more detailed next steps, consult the Civil Service Physical/Medical Requirements Form and related resources by visiting the provided URLs.

To learn more about salary, benefits, and detailed qualifications, visit: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

For questions, contact Division Headquarters .