DCNR Ranger Trainee (Seasonal) - Little Pine State Park

THE POSITION

The DCNR Ranger Trainee role with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers a chance to build strong skills while supporting Little Pine State Park. This position provides hands-on learning that helps you grow into a confident and capable Ranger. You will take part in important tasks that protect visitors and park resources. This opportunity sets the foundation for a rewarding future in public service.
Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play!

The DCNR Ranger Trainee role with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers a chance to build strong skills while supporting Little Pine State Park. This position provides hands-on learning that helps you grow into a confident and capable Ranger. You will take part in important tasks that protect visitors and park resources. This opportunity sets the foundation for a rewarding future in public service.
Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play!

This position focuses on guided training that prepares you to support public contact, visitor safety, park protection, and law enforcement at Little Pine State Park and nearby areas. You will build the skills needed to respond to park needs and assist visitors in a variety of situations. As a DCNR Ranger Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Park Support:
  Assist with patrols of park grounds, facilities, and boundaries to ensure visitor safety and rule compliance
• Visitor Assistance:
  Provide information, help visitors with concerns, and prepare permits and related documents
• Emergency Response:
  Respond to accidents, safety issues, and urgent situations and assist with first aid as required
• Log Completion:
  Record daily and monthly details on facilities, equipment, incidents, attendance, and safety conditions
• Rule Enforcement:
  Support enforcement of park regulations, state laws, and safety requirements under supervision

• 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 December 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment March 2027.
• Work hours are 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday - Sunday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Days and shifts may vary to include holidays and weekends. Will work 40 hours per week.
• 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.

• Completion of 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
• Six months of experience providing visitor services in a public park, forest, recreation area, or a privately-owned and operated nature or outdoor education center; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

• 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 successfully complete a structured law enforcement training program to obtain authority in exercising the powers of arrest during the trainee period.
• 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 trainee 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.

• This position requires employees to successfully pass a physical fitness test within 6 months of the start of employment.  to learn more about these 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.

• 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…