Park Police Officer Trainee

Position Summary

Park Police Officer Trainee at New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.

Base pay: $61,587.00/yr – $93,129.00/yr (based on skills and experience).

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! Applications are accepted through February 18, 2026.

Applicants will progress through the following steps:

• Agility Performance Test (April/May 2026)
• Psychological and Physical/Medical testing
• Background investigation
• Medical examination (after conditional offer)
• Civil Service written exam and Psychological examination

Travel is required for certain steps in the hiring process.

• Six‑month residential police academy in Rensselaerville, NY.
• Assignment to a Park Police Zone upon graduation.
• Completion of field training and remaining six months of probation.
• Advancement to Park Police Officer Grade 14 upon successful completion of the traineeship.

• Age: at least 20 years at time of hire; not over 43rd birthday by October 1, 2026 (military leave may be subtracted up to six years).
• Education/
  
  Experience:
  • 60 college semester credit hours, or
  • two years active U.S. military service with honorable discharge, or
  • four years U.S. military reserve/State National Guard service, or
  • two years full‑time police or peace officer experience in New York State with valid municipal police training certification.
  • 30 college semester credit hours can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• High‑school diploma, diploma of recognized authority, or USAFI GED.
• United States citizen and New York State resident at time of appointment, maintaining residency thereafter.
• Valid New York State driver license at time of appointment, maintained thereafter.
• Visual acuity correctable to better than or equal to 20/30 (Snellen) in each eye; distant visual acuity not less than 20/100 without correction.
• Drug testing. Cannabis use is not permitted.

• 13‑24 vacation days, 12 holidays, 5 personal days, and 13 sick days per year.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement at half pay after 20 years.
• Promotional opportunities via competitive examination process.
• Uniforms and equipment provided.

• Downstate adjustment: $1,762 annually for officers in NYC boroughs or Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester.
• Supplemental local pay ranges: $1,467 for Orange, Putnam, Dutchess; $2,204 for NYC boroughs, Rockland, Westchester; $2,571 for Nassau, Suffolk.
• Additional $15,000 differentials for Mid‑Hudson or Downstate regions.

Submit the following documents to PPOCareers.gov:

• NYS Parks Police Employment Application Part 1 (PDF)
• DD‑214 (if applicable)
• Official college transcripts electronically to PPOtranscripts.gov from your college or credential service.

For full salary charts, benefits, and next steps, visit NY State Parks Police Applicant Page.