State Park Ranger Trainee - DNR
Department
DNR - Maryland Park Service - State Wide Operation
Date Opened
6/25/2025 09:30:00 AM
Filing Deadline
7/11/2025 11:59:00 PM
Salary
$50,565.00 - $80,884.00/year
Employment Type
Full-Time
HR Analyst
Emilee Knott
Work Location
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Baltimore City
Baltimore County
Calvert
Caroline
Carroll
Cecil
Charles
Dorchester
Frederick
Garrett
Harford
Howard
Kent
Montgomery
Prince George's
Queen Anne's
Somerset
St. Mary's
Talbot
Washington County
Wicomico
Worcester
Introduction
This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.
GRADE
13
LOCATION OF POSITION
STATEWIDE - eligible list will be used to fill vacancies across the state
Main Purpose of Job
A State Park Ranger Trainee is the entry level of work in the operation of a State park. Employees interpret and apply Park rules and regulations to ensure voluntary compliance with park standards, coordinate forest and park programs, and inform visitors of forest and park resources. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions. Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a State Park Ranger Supervisor or other designated administrator. Employees may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays and may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs. The work is performed indoors and in the field under various weather conditions. The work requires lifting objects weighing twenty-five pounds or more and traveling throughout the State. Employees may be required to wear protective clothing and equipment, carry specialized tools, walk over uneven and rocky surfaces and bend or stoop in confined spaces.
POSITION DUTIES
State Park Ranger Trainee is the entry level of work in the operation of a State park. Employees interpret and apply Park rules and regulations to ensure voluntary compliance with park standards, coordinate forest and park programs, and inform visitors of forest and park resources.
Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions. Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a State Park Ranger Supervisor or other designated administrator. Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends. Employees may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs. The work is performed indoors and in the field under various weather conditions. The work requires the ability to lift objects weighing twenty-five pounds or more and to travel throughout the State. Employees may be required to wear protective clothing and equipment; carry specialized tools, walk over uneven and rocky surfaces and bend or stoop in confined spaces.
Candidates in these positions will serve as Park Rangers serving under the supervision of the Assistant Manager or their designee and will be responsible for directly providing services to visitors, maintaining and protecting natural and cultural resources, equipment, campground and day use areas, grounds and facilities. These positions perform front line work achieving operations, administration, information, education, interpretation, resource management and visitor services in support of the management of natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources for the benefit of the public. Candidates will be required to work weekends, evenings and holidays.
These positions perform a wide variety of outdoor/indoor duties that contribute to the quality of the park visitors’ experience. This includes but is not limited to providing customer service, operating park facilities, ensuring public safety, responding to medical emergencies, administrative duties, park maintenance and cash handling. The facilities may include, among other areas, visitor centers, nature centers, campgrounds, cabins, picnic shelters, concessions, trails and beaches / swimming areas.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Four years of experience in park management, recreation or a natural resources related field.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of park operations, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences or a natural resources related field for the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in management and program clerical and assistance classification or management and program clerical and assistance specialty codes in the general, administrative, clerical, and office services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in State Park operations
• Experience working in a National, County or City Park
• Experience in park maintenance, including landscaping, carpentry and plumbing
• Experience in volunteer management
• Experience or training with interpretation or environmental education
• Experience with money handling
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the employing agency with a phone number where they can be reached.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you provide all the experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.
BENEFITS
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3 Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.
Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division. Please note, standard business hours for the help desk are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inquiries made after hours will be reviewed the following business day.
If you need to make adjustments to a submitted application before the announcement deadline or if you have general inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Emilee Knott at Emilee.Knott@maryland.gov.
Please provide ample time to complete the application template. If you are having technical difficulties submitting an application on the day of the deadline, it is strongly advised that you complete the JobAps physical application template and hand deliver to DNR - HRS at 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 before 4:30 p.m. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cannot guarantee that late submissions, as a result of technical difficulties, will be accepted.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.