DCNR Ranger Trainee (Seasonal) - Presque Isle State Park

Embark on a meaningful and adventure-filled career as a DCNR Ranger Trainee, where you will gain the skills and confidence needed to protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources and serve the public. In this role, you will receive hands-on training in public safety, environmental education, conservation practices, customer service, and foundational law enforcement. This program is designed to help you grow professionally while preparing you for the responsibilities of a full DCNR Ranger. If you are looking for a vibrant career path that blends outdoor work, public service, and personal development, this trainee position is an excellent first step toward a rewarding and impactful future.

This position involves completing a one-year combination of formal instruction and on-the-job training designed to develop the skills needed to perform the work of a DCNR Ranger. Throughout the program, you will gain experience in public contact and customer service, outdoor recreation and conservation issues, environmental education, public safety, departmental policies and procedures, and foundational law enforcement. As a trainee, you will assist with park patrols, respond to a variety of situations, and support daily park operations while building the knowledge and confidence required for full ranger responsibilities.

• Participate in structured training covering public safety, customer service, environmental education, conservation principles, and law enforcement fundamentals.
• Learn and apply Departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Develop practical skills through hands-on assignments and field experience.

• Assist with patrols of the park and its facilities to ensure visitor safety and resource protection.
• Respond appropriately to situations such as safety concerns, visitor assistance needs, emergencies, and violations of Commonwealth or Park laws and regulations.
• Support rangers in managing incidents and maintaining a safe environment for all park users.

• Complete daily and monthly logs documenting campground conditions, facility status, equipment needs, visitor safety issues, incidents, citations, arrests, accidents, and attendance.
• Prepare launching, mooring, and camping permits by entering information into the Reservation and Revenue System (PRRS).
• Collect fees, verify daily receipts for accuracy, and assist with preparing transmittals and bank deposits.

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. The season runs from approximately March 2026, until October 2026, at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment March 2027. 
• Shift hours and days vary due to operational need, 40 hours 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

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• 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
• 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
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirements:

• You 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.

Other Requirements:

• This position requires employees to successfully pass a physical fitness test within 6 months of the start of employment. Click here 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.

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.

• 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.