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Are you looking for a career where you will spend a great deal of time outdoors?
Pennsylvania offers numerous employment opportunities within its state parks.
From the Lehigh Valley in the east to the Laurel Highlands in the west, the beauty of nature is everywhere.
Being a Park Ranger in Pennsylvania offers endless opportunities for those who love the environment and like helping the public enjoy it.
Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Pennsylvania
- Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment.
- An active motor vehicle license is required.
- All employees must be commissioned as a State Park or State Forest Officer.
- The commission must be maintained for the duration of employment in this job.
- Certification in standard first aid and American Red Cross CPR is required.
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) psychometric testing must be passed.
- Pennsylvania State Police and FBI Criminal Background Checks are a requirement.
- A conviction for a criminal offense that results in more than one year in prison is cause for removal from consideration.
- Completion of a water rescue training program.
- Possession of a Class M operator’s license.
- Successful candidates must either have:
- Completed the DCNR Ranger Trainee Program
- Completed an approved law enforcement training program and 15 college credits in a related field.
- Must have one year of experience as a ranger with the power to arrest.
Park Ranger Duties in Pennsylvania
A Park Ranger in Pennsylvania is expected to perform recreational, educational, conservation, law enforcement, visitor safety, and rescue services in state forests and parks.
Provide information to visitors about resources, recreational activities, regulations, and the environment.
Come up with a presentation to deliver to school groups and other interested community groups.
Enforce and explain regulations that protect visitor safety and the environment.
Patrol the park.
Patrols can be on foot, by bicycle, motorized vehicles, or boats.
Investigate complaints and determine the correct course of action.
When needed, make arrests, issue citations, and file complaints.
Testify in court when it is requested.
Coordinate with other law enforcement officials.
Responding to local emergencies to maintain safety.
Administer CPR and first aid, conduct water rescues, and coordinate with other first responders.
Do fire prevention and suppression activities in the park.
Prepare reports and correspondence.
Operate a variety of motorized equipment.
Conduct investigations as needed.
State Parks in Pennsylvania
Presque Isle State Park
Located in Erie County, Presque Isle State Park is on a sandy peninsula that juts into Lake Erie.
It has over 3300 acres of recreation, including swimming, boating, fishing, biking, and hiking.
Birding is a favorite pastime in the park, with many endangered species making it their home.
Preque Isle Light House at the east end of the park is open for tours.
The park has 13 beaches that provide plenty of places to swim or surf.
Year-round educational activities are provided at the park.
Visitors to the park also have access to a boat tour of Lake Erie.
The park is open all year.
Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen State Park is over 13,000 acres in three counties.
The parks offer 120 RV and tent camping sites.
Hiking the Falls Trail System is one of the most popular activities in this scenic park.
Twenty-two named waterfalls are located in the park.
The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the tallest.
Many activities, including Yoga on the Beach, are offered.
The 600-foot beach is open May-September for swimming.
A refreshment concession is nearby.
Boat rentals are available.
French Creek State Park
French Creek State Park is an important birding area in the Schuylkill Highlands.
It offers a swimming pool near Hopewell Lake.
Swimming is not allowed in either lake in the park.
A snack bar is near the pool.
French Creek has a boat rental and a disc golf course.
Horses are allowed on the Horse-Shoe Trail, which travels from Valley Forge to Harrisburg for 140 miles.
Promised Land State Park
Promised Land State Park is in Pike County, surrounded by the Delaware State Forest.
It is 3,000 acres with two lakes, Promised Land Lake and Lower Lake.
Hiking trails offer easy to difficult levels of hiking.
Trails are also available for winter use.
Six camping areas as well as rustic cabins provide overnight accommodations.
Program: Wildlife Forestry and Conservation Career Diploma
Program Details:- Study online at your own pace
- Earn a career diploma in as little as 4 months*
- Budget-friendly tuition with personalized payment options
- Nationally accredited program
- Guidance from experienced instructors
1 Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA
Lackawanna College offers a 16-week Conservation & Natural Resource Certificate.
Five undergraduate-level field biology courses are part of the program.
The course also includes hands-on training in the field at over a dozen locations.
Contact Information
- Address: 501 Vine St, Scranton, PA 18509, United States
- Phone: +1 570-961-7898
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA |
Park Ranger Salary in Pennsylvania
Salaries for Park Rangers in Pennsylvania range from $29,000 to $57,000.
The lower range is usually for new rangers and, at the higher end, those with more experience or education.
The average salary range is from $35,000 to $52,000.
The Park Rangers who work in areas closest to the larger cities in Pennsylvania tend to earn at the higher end.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$25K |
|
$39.5K |
|
$62.5K |
Average Salary in Pennsylvania
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $55,294 |
| Pittsburgh | $63,309 |
| Allentown | $37,800 |
| Reading | $44,257 |
| Erie | $46,430 |
| Upper Darby | $46,008 |
| Scranton | $48,292 |
| Lower Merion | $49,030 |
| Bensalem | $47,893 |
| Abington | $48,323 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 30 | $50,420 | $24.24 | $57,870 | $45,860 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 130 | $42,600 | $20.48 | $62,400 | $29,120 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 40 | $48,860 | $23.49 | $57,350 | $44,930 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Find Park Ranger Career Guides by State
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- VA Virginia
- WA Washington
- WV West Virginia
- WI Wisconsin
- WY Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pennsylvania hire seasonal/summer park rangers?
Pennsylvania hires seasonal employees to work in the state parks.
They may be hired for a specific part of the duties a ranger does, such as educating the public.
They are required to wear a uniform, be a resident, and pass a background check.
Trainee rangers need to pass a comprehensive exam to be considered.
How many employees does the DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have in Pennsylvania?
The DCNR has approximately 1400 employees, responsible for the care of the 124 state parks.
They work in a variety of capacities, including educational, rangers, and maintenance.
What is the oldest state park in the state of Pennsylvania?
Mont Alto is the oldest state forest park.
It was established as a state park in 1902.
What are the newest state parks in Pennsylvania?
Three new parks were announced in 2022 and are expected to be open to the public in 2026-2027.
The parks are Big Elk Creek in Chester County, Vosburg Neck in Wyoming County, and Susquehanna Riverlands in York County.
How many state parks are there in Pennsylvania?
There are 124 state parks in Pennsylvania.
Only seven states, including California and New York, have more state parks.
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