Duties & Responsibilities
Park Rangers assist Park Managers by protecting patrons and park property; their duties are wide-ranging in scope including 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, Rangers would administer basic First Aid as trained and 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, 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 from mid-May through Labor Day; some jobs may be extended beyond Labor Day at select locations.
Salary & Hiring
The recruitment process runs from October-December. Interviews will be conducted during January-February. Current salary for a Park Ranger is $20.56 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's license when expected to drive state vehicles
- meet certain physical and medical requirements
- be of good moral character and successfully complete a background investigation
- successfully complete 24 hours of Security Guard training provided by Parks
- possess basic computer and smartphone skills
- have a valid New York State issued ID.
Please note: A New York State Driver License meets this requirement. Those with a driver license issued by another state, or those who do not have a driver license are required to have a valid NY State Non Driver ID to meet the qualifications to apply for a NY State Security Guard License.
Fees Apply: Candidates are required to pay for background fingerprinting ($101.75) and NYS Security Guard License Application Fee ($36).
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, Human Resources/Employment
Albany, New York 12238
Email: ParkRangerRecruitment@parks.ny.gov
Apply Now: Start a digital employment application below
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