Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 

Can you imagine a job working in the great outdoors?
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) seeks individuals who want
challenging and rewarding careers in conservation, recreation, and environmental protection. You
may qualify to become part of a team responsible for overseeing the state park system, managing
state forest lands, or expanding outdoor education and recreation opportunities throughout the state.
DCNR maintains 121 state parks, manages more than 2.2 million acres of state forest land,
provides support for the state’s ecological and geological resources, assists with community
conservation, and provides education and recreation programs. To do this, it employs about 1,400
full-time and 1,300 seasonal employees. Most of these positions are covered by the Pennsylvania
Civil Service Act.
DCNR RANGER: Perform technical work involving public education and service, public safety,
and law enforcement. They explain state park and forest resources, facilities, rules and regulations;
patrol parks and forest lands; investigate complaints, accidents, and suspected crimes; and handle
emergencies. They perform the full range of law enforcement services.
Required: Completion of the DCNR Ranger Trainee program or 15 credits in natural or
environmental science or related natural resource or recreation courses AND completion of a
department-recognized police training course or certification program that allows eligibility for
commissioning as a police officer.
DCNR RANGER TRAINEE: Participate in formal and on-the-job training in public service,
conservation, environmental education, public safety, and law enforcement, including classroom
and physical training required to obtain authority to exercise the power of arrest.
Required: Completion of 15 credits in natural or environmental sciences, natural resource
management, park management, outdoor recreation, forestry, environmental education, ecology,
wildlife management, or related courses, plus first-aid and CPR certification.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SPECIALIST: Develop and implement environmental and
park education programs. They design materials, conduct programs, and serve as trail guides or
naturalists for educational institutions, government agencies, civic organizations, and the general
public. These positions may be seasonal or permanent.
Required: Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, social sciences, environmental education,
interpretive service, or park management OR four years of professional experience in
environmental education.
ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETIVE TECHNICIAN: Present environmental programs for
park visitors, organizations, and the public. They conduct field studies, guided walks, and campfire
sessions to identify and discuss park plants and wildlife. This is a high-demand, seasonal job
typically lasting three months.
Required: High-school education or equivalent and at least two college-level courses in botany,
ornithology, ecology, wildlife, mammalogy, entomology, or related courses.
FORESTER: Plan and implement programs designed to manage, protect, and preserve forest
resources. Work includes landscape examination and timber-stand treatment, forest fire prevention
and suppression, and forest pest suppression activities.
Required: Two years of technical forestry experience AND an associate’s degree; OR a
bachelor’s or master’s degree in forestry, forest technology, forest management, forest ecosystem
management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or related forestry degree.
FORESTRY TECHNICIAN: Perform technical assignments in timber sales, fire prevention,
insect and disease control, forest-tree nursery development, and recreation projects. They assist in
timber-stand analysis, surveying, map preparation for timber sales, forest disease and insect control,
and forest fire prevention and suppression. This is a seasonal position.
Required: Associate’s degree in forest technology or equivalent formal education in forestry.
GEOLOGIC TRAINEE: Participate in on-the-job training to perform geological work in
connection with the study, charting, use, development, preservation, and protection of geological
features or mineral resources such as groundwater, natural gas, coal, and oil.
Required: Bachelor’s degree in geology or a related field that includes 30 credits in geology
courses.
NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST: Perform field work and conduct technical natural
resource studies. They collect and analyze data, design and implement environmental studies, and
provide technical guidance and training programs.
Required: Two years of natural resource management experience AND a bachelor’s degree in
parks and recreation, environmental resource management, wildlife biology, wildlife management,
forestry, ecology, or a related natural resource major; OR equivalent experience and training.
PARK MANAGER TRAINEE: Participate in on-the-job and formal training on how to direct the
operation, maintenance, and recreational activities of a state park.
Required: Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, or
landscape architecture OR an associate’s degree in any of these fields and two years of experience
in the administration, operation, or maintenance of the physical plant, visitor services and safety, or
environmental education in a park or outdoor recreational program.
PARK RANGER: Perform public safety work and promote recreation in state parks. They answer
questions about park facilities and environmental features; explain and enforce park regulations;
patrol park grounds, buildings, and waterways; and in emergencies, administer first-aid or
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to injured park visitors. This is a seasonal position.
Required: Two years of public contact work involving public information, plus first-aid and CPR
certification.
Other DCNR Positions
How to Apply
OUTDOORS: Additional positions that involve working outdoors are available in the Trades and
Maintenance categories. These include mechanics, equipment operators, semi-skilled laborers,
maintenance repairmen, water and sewage treatment plant operators, lifeguards, and forest
patrolmen.
INDOORS: Still other jobs support DCNR in the Administrative, Clerical, and Computer Science
categories. Jobs include administrative assistants, clerk typists, human resource assistants/analysts,
budget analysts, information technology specialists, and application developers.
Most of DCNR’s positions require Pennsylvania residency. For information on how to apply, visit
www.employment.pa.gov
INTERNSHIPS: Paid and unpaid positions are available to full-time college students. For more
information and to apply online, visit: www.employment.pa.gov