Duties & Responsibilities
Park Rangers serve as ambassadors and site security at State Parks and Historic Sites across New York; their duties are wide-ranging in scope and include patrolling campgrounds, beaches, cabin areas, marinas, trails, and park buildings; assisting with camping and boater registration and permits; confirming park entrances and exits are secure; helping with general security services for large events such as concerts, fairs, including monitoring and screening attendees or providing traffic and crowd control; and assisting with traffic management during peak periods.
Park Rangers respond to calls for assistance, summon emergency responders as needed and ensure that patrons and property are safe and secure until police arrive. In addition, Park Rangers administer basic First Aid as trained and may assist police with search and rescue efforts and fire prevention and suppression activities. In addition to their regular duties, Park Rangers may periodically assist staff at toll booths and perform bank runs and audits. Rangers also assist site staff in maintaining and closing facilities, maintaining swim facility safety, and similar.
Park Rangers are subject to the provisions of the Security Guard Act of 1993, are unarmed, and have neither peace nor police officer status. Park Rangers are generally hired to work seasonally from mid-May through Labor Day. Seasonal employment may be extended beyond Labor Day in select locations.
Salary & Hiring
Applications are accepted from October 1 through December 31.
Selected candidates will be interviewed in January.
Current salary for a Park Ranger is $22.47 an hour.
Positions Available
Positions for Park Rangers exist in all eleven regions of the NY State Park system: Allegany, Central, Finger Lakes, Genesee, Long Island, New York City, Niagara, Palisades, Saratoga, Taconic, and Thousand Islands.
Qualifications
Candidates Must:
- be at least age 18 at time of appointment
- have a High School Diploma or its equivalent
- have a valid driver license when expected to drive state vehicles
- meet certain physical and medical requirements
- be of good moral character and successfully complete a background investigation
- possess basic computer and smartphone skills
- have a valid New York State issued ID
- complete 24 hours of Security Guard training upon hire
*Candidates are not required to complete this training to be considered for a Park Ranger position. This training is provided by OPRHP for all selected candidates.
Fees Apply: Selected candidates are required to pay for background fingerprinting ($101.75) and NYS Security Guard License Application Fee ($36).
The aforementioned fees are not required to submit an application and are not due until a candidate has been extended a conditional offer of employment.
Uniforms, Equipment, Appearance & Conduct Standards
All uniforms and equipment are provided and must be returned at the end of the season. Uniforms may only be worn while on duty and any issued equipment can only be used for official State business. Park Rangers are expected to present an image consistent with and act in accordance with the mission of the agency.
Questions? Contact:
NY State Parks, Park Rangers
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Email: ParkRangerRecruitment@parks.ny.gov
Apply Now: Start a digital employment application below
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