Forest Ranger 1

Date Posted:

05/05/26

Applications Due:

05/20/26

Vacancy ID:

215424 Position Information NY HELPNo AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of TitleForest Ranger 1 Occupational CategoryEnforcement or Protective Services Salary Grade14 Bargaining UnitAPSU-Agency Police Services Unit (PBAofNYS) Salary RangeFrom $64796 to $78530 Annually Employment TypeFull-Time Appointment TypePermanent Jurisdictional ClassCompetitive Class Travel Percentage0% Schedule WorkweekOther (see below) "Other" ExplanationSunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Hours Per Week40 Workday From8 AM To4 PM Flextime allowed?

No Mandatory overtime?

No Compressed workweek allowed?

No Telecommuting allowed?

No Location CountyWashington Street Address1115 Route 86 CityRay Brook StateNY Zip Code12977 Job Specifics Duties DescriptionAs a Forest Ranger 1, you would be required to participate in a formal residential training program lasting approximately 26 weeks. Upon successful completion, you would work in an assigned patrol area, and elsewhere throughout the state for emergencies and special assignments. You would be required to work out of your home and the location of your residence must comply with current Division residency requirements. Forest Rangers perform a wide variety of duties related to overseeing the care, custody, and control of DEC administered lands and as such will be required to be engaged in extensive foot, bike, canoe, boat, snowshoe, or ski patrol on assigned state land areas. The care, custody and control of state land also requires that Forest Rangers will routinely interact and assist DEC land managers to help them best manage state lands and public use. As a Forest Ranger 1, you would be a sworn Police Officer, authorized to investigate complaints and enforce provisions of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and other state laws to protect the State's lands, other natural resources, and the people who use them. You would be required to carry firearms and complete necessary annual training for State certification. Forest Rangers conduct search and rescue operations for lost or injured persons throughout New York State; conduct wildland fire management operations including wildfire suppression in New York State and when requested for national firefighting efforts; and coordinate and assist in incident response efforts to natural and manmade emergencies and disasters. Forest Rangers educate the public concerning the proper use of public lands and resources; visit schools, fire departments, and organizations to promote resource protection; teach national and state-certified courses to other agencies, volunteer groups, and fire departments concerning search and rescue, wildland fire suppression, and wilderness safety and etiquette; and foster and develop volunteer assistance from the local communities to support the Department's wildland firefighting and search operations. At times you will be expected to work weekends, holidays, and long irregular hours. You may also directly supervise volunteers and seasonal Assistant Forest Rangers and Wildland Firefighters. Minimum QualificationsReassignment

• Currently in the title and an employee of DEC or Reinstatement Eligible
• Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis Transfer Eligible
• One year of permanent competitive service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law or eligible for transfer under Section 70.4 of the Civil Service Law (of which candidate must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below). 55-b/55-c Candidates
• must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below and include with resume or application a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55-b/55-c program.

Min quals for 55-b/c candidates and 70.4 transfer candidates: Either 1: an associate or higher-level degree in aquatic biology, conservation biology, environmental biology, wildlife biology, environmental and natural resource conservation, environmental engineering, fisheries and fisheries sciences and management, fish and wildlife technology, aquatic and fisheries science, forestry, forest engineering, forest management, forest resource management, forest resources production and management, forest sciences and biology, forest technology, land surveying technology, natural resource management, natural resources management and policy, wildlife science, wildlife fish and wildlands science and management, or any other associate or higher-level degree program accredited by the Society of American Foresters; Or 2: 60 college semester credit hours or higher including or supplemented by 24 college semester credit hours in coursework as described below;

• Or 3: two years of active United States military service with an honorable discharge or under conditions in the New York State Restoration of Honor Act AND two years of qualifying experience in forest management, fish and wildlife management, forest, fish, or wildlife interpretation in a wildland setting, or law enforcement in a park, forest, or wildland setting.
• For the purpose of this examination, qualifying coursework includes: forestry, forest management, forest recreation, forest resources technology, forest fire management, forest engineering, environmental engineering, environmental education, fish or wildlife biology, fish or wildlife management, conservation biology, botany, zoology, limnology, ecology, environmental biology, environmental and natural resource conservation, forest science and biology, and natural resource management.

Coursework that will not qualify for the purposes of this exam includes but is NOT limited to: animal science, anthropology, archeology, astronomy, chemistry, climatology, earth science, engineering (except environmental or forest), geology, human biology, mathematics, medical biology, physics, social sciences, or space science.

• Examples of experience that will NOT qualify are but not limited to: animal husbandry, lawn mowing, landscaping, tree and brush trimming, timber harvesting, pesticide application, sawing firewood, farm hand and other types of experience that are categorized as laborer or maintenance work in a garden shop, park, or forestry setting.

Additional Requirements for

Appointment or Continued Employment:

Additional Requirements for Appointment You must meet the below requirements to be appointed and for continued employment.

Background Investigation:

Because of the nature of the position there is an investigative screening that will include a thorough character investigation, including a polygraph. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony will bar appointment. Misdemeanors or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.

Driver's License Requirement:

You must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

Drug Testing:

Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a drug screening test and are responsible for the clinical lab fee. Upon appointment, all probationary Forest Rangers are subject to periodic, unannounced drug testing from the initial date of hire up to and including the completion of field training. All permanent Forest Rangers are subject to a yearly random drug test. Failure to meet these standards may result in your disqualification and/or discipline. Cannabis use is not permitted for employees in this title. Cannabis use will be tested for during the pre-employment screening process and may be the basis for disqualification for employment or may be a basis for removal from employment. A complete statement for drug testing for this title can be found at http://cs.ny/ehs/forms.cfm .

Fingerprinting and Fee Requirements:

Fingerprinting is required prior to appointment. You will be required to pay the processing fee.

Firearms:

You must be legally eligible to carry firearms. Conviction of a felony will bar appointment and a misdemeanor may bar appointment.

Physical/Medical Requirements:

Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include

Vision:

Distant visual acuity should be correctable to better than, or equal to 20/30 (Snellen) in each eye; if correction is required, binocular visual acuity not less than 20/40 without correction. Binocular peripheral vision should not be less than 170 degrees.

Color Vision:

You must have satisfactory color vision perception.

Hearing:

The average hearing level (HL) for the three test frequencies of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz will not exceed 25 dB in either ear, and no single hearing level will exceed 30 dB at any of these three test frequencies in either ear. Hearing loss at 3000 Hz will not exceed 40 dB HL in either ear. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://cs.ny/ehs/forms.cfm.

Physical Skills and Abilities Testing:

If you are considered for appointment, your physical skills and abilities will be evaluated through tests of strength, agility, flexibility, endurance, and swimming. These physical skills and abilities tests will be conducted by the Department of Environmental Conservation. To obtain a statement of the requirements of these tests, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Forest Protection at (518) 402-8839, or rangers@dec.ny

Psychological Evaluation:

Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a psychological evaluation to determine your fitness to perform the essential duties of the position. Failure to meet standards will result in your disqualification.

Tattoo Policy:

You must comply with the Department of Environmental Conservation's, Division of Forest Protection (DFP) tattoo policy which requires all members to present a neat and professional appearance at all times. Tattoos are not permitted on the head, face, scalp, neck or hands. Tattoos which are visible on the lower arms, or lower legs, shall be reviewed by the regional Captain and if the tattoos are deemed to be in contradiction to a professional appearance the Forest Ranger shall be required to wear a tattoo sleeve, skin tone in color, long sleeve shirts or avoid shorts as applicable. Forest Rangers employed by DFP prior to September 1, 2008, are exempt from the portions of this policy which address tattoos; however, they may not acquire any additional tattoos that contradict the above guidance. Existing tattoos which are exempt because they were acquired prior to September 1, 2008, may not be expanded and may not be modified without permission of the Division Director. For additional information on this policy, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Forest Protection at (518) 402-8839, or rangers@dec.ny

United State Citizenship and New York State Residency:

Although not required for taking the test, you must be a citizen of the United States at the time of appointment. If appointed, you must be at least 21 years old and possess and maintain New York State residency pursuant to the Public Officers Law. Additional CommentsStarting Salary $64,796 Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,613 annual downstate adjustment. In addition, appointees who work in the following locations will receive an additional supplemental local pay in the following amounts: the counties of Orange, Putnam and Dutchess

• $1,343; the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland, and Westchester Counties
• $2,017; and Nassau and Suffolk Counties
• $2,352.
• Additionally, appointees who work in the mid-Hudson region (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, or Westchester counties) or downstate region (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau or Suffolk counties) may receive up to an additional $15,000 geographic pay differential.

Must have a valid driver's license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Use of personal protection equipment, including a respirator, will be required. Must be able to work in remote areas. Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions. Travel may be required. Overtime may be required. Overnight travel may be required. Weekends and holidays may be required. Must be available for emergency response. Must be available to respond to after-hours emergencies. Must successfully complete (or have completed) the 40-hour

OSHA 1910.120

training course and all other required training. Must complete an annual Health and Safety Program including medical monitoring, fit testing, and 40 (or 8) hour

OSHA HAZWOPER

certification. Per federal government requirements, if you are appointed to this position, you may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a state and federal criminal background check. Must have certification to operate motorized boats or personal watercrafts at time of appointment. We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees' Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more.

.. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency. Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT). Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity. How to Apply NameAlan Ilagan Telephone518-402-9273 Fax518-402-9038 Email AddressPostingResponses@dec.ny Address Street625 Broadway Personnel, 10th Floor CityAlbany StateNY Zip Code12233 Notes on ApplyingPlease email or mail your resume to the above. Be sure to include Posting #26-215424 on your resume and also in the subject line of your email or it may not be accepted.