DCNR Ranger Trainee - Laurel Hill State Park Complex Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania $23.15 Hourly dental insurance, vision insurance, parental leave, vacation time, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan United States, Pennsylvania, Somerset 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road (Show on map) Sep 10, 2026 Salary $23.15 Hourly Location Somerset County, PA Job Type Civil Service Seasonal Full-Time Job Number

CS-2026-57862-74745

Department Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Division CN Laurel Hill Prk Complex Opening Date 09/10/2026 Closing Date 9/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern Job Code 74745 Position Number 00008181 Union PSRA Bargaining Unit R4 Pay Group RG28 Bureau / Division Code 00386207 Bureau / Division CN Laurel Hill Park Complex Worksite Address 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd. City Somerset, Pennsylvania Zip Code 15501 Contact Name OA, CE Section Intake Division Contact Email Ra-OACEINTAKESEC@pa.gov

THE POSITION

Begin your journey with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a DCNR Ranger Trainee. This role gives you the chance to learn public safety, visitor service, and conservation skills through real experience in the Laurel Hill State Park Complex. You will gain hands-on training that builds confidence and prepares you for a future ranger position. Start a path that allows you to grow while helping visitors enjoy Pennsylvania's natural spaces. Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position focuses on learning public contact, safety practices, environmental education, and basic law enforcement through classroom instruction and field training. It builds the foundation needed to carry out ranger duties while supporting visitor safety and park operations. As a DCNR Ranger Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

Training Participation:

Attend classroom and field instruction to learn conservation principles, recreation practices, and public service skills

Park Patrols:

Assist with patrols by vehicle, bicycle, ATV, or boat to support visitor safety and inspect park facilities

Public Relations:

Provide information, answer questions, and present a confident and professional ranger trainee image

Law Enforcement:

Accompany supervisors on patrols, help prepare reports, and assist in maintaining logs and records

Emergency Support:

Help respond to emergencies, provide first aid and CPR as trained, and assist with traffic direction

Report Preparation:

Complete logs and summaries documenting building conditions, visitor activity, incidents, and park operations

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

This is a seasonal, full-time position with no healthcare 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.

Employee will work 40 hours/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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

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.

Special Requirements:

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.

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.

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.

EXAMINATION 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.