Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00097136	Description Activated On: 7/22/2026 1:50:09 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

This is work involving public contact and service, public safety, and law enforcement at Little Pine State Park Complex. The Little Pine State Park Complex includes Little Pine, Upper Pine Bottom, Hyner Run, and Hyner View State Parks. The person in this position will be expected to patrol and enforce park rules, regulations and laws in all four parks as well as issue permits and register overnight guests. Special detail and/or emergency work may also be required in other nearby state parks and forest districts. Weekend and holiday work will be required. Wearing a prescribed uniform is required.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

This position participates public contact and customer service; current developments and issues in the areas of outdoor recreation and conservation; conservation principles; environmental education; public safety; Departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; and law enforcement to perform the work of a DCNR Ranger:

Work involves patrolling the park property and boundaries in order to provide public contact, ensure visitor safety, compliance with park rules and regulations and the Commonwealth’s Criminal and Vehicle Codes.

PATROLS – Work involves patrolling state park property on foot, by motorized vehicle or by motorboat to ensure visitor safetyand protection of the resource. Provides assistance to visitors as required. Inspects buildings, structures and facilities for securityand safety. Ensures the posters, bulletin boards and signs are current and serviceable. Ensures assigned equipment and work areas are maintained in a clean and neat condition.

PUBLIC RELATIONS - Presents a professional Park Ranger image to the general public through uniform appearance, verbal skills, courtesies, and knowledge of the park, the environment and history, explanation of rules, regulations and laws, telephone skills and a presence of self-confidence. Provides information and assistance to park visitors, school groups, civic groups, sportsmen's associations and other special interest groups on and off park property. Staffs park offices and visitor centers. Prepares launching, mooring, and camping permits by entering the information into the Reservation and Revenue System. Collects fees and assists in preparation of transmittals by checking daily receipts for accuracy and making bank deposits.

LAW ENFORCEMENT – Enforces the provisions of the law, especially as it pertains to State Parks, makes physical arrests and issues citations and warrants consistent with State, Departmental and Bureau Directives, guidelines and regulations. Investigatescomplaints, accidents and crimes. Determines action to take, prepares incident reports and co-operates with the Local and StatePolice and the Fish and Game Commissions. Prosecutes cases, presents evidence and witnesses and examines and cross-examines witnesses and testifies on behalf of the Commonwealth before the courts. Maintains property log, lost and found articles, and daily attendance reports. Maintain radio equipment inventory and repairs.

EMERGENCIES – Takes charge of situations in emergencies, search and rescue and accidents to ensure the safety and protection of the visitor and the resource. Provides first aid and CPR consistent with current certifications. Directs traffic.

REPORTS AND INSPECTIONS – Completes monthly and daily logs including the status and condition of campgrounds, facilities, equipment, visitor safety, occurring incidents, citations, arrests, accidents and attendance. Operates and uses the following computer programs: Microsoft Office, Outlook 2000 e-mail, Windows operating systems, Reservation and Revenue System, networking to include sharing folders and transferring information from computer to computer. Prepares correspondence, reports and other written materials. The majority of this position’s duties is routine and is reviewed periodically.
Work not part of the daily routine is discussed with the supervisor before preparation and upon completion. All correspondence, reports and forms are reviewed and signed by the supervisor.

MISCELLANEOUS – This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment.
Possession of a valid certificate or its equivalent in first aid and adult, child and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as approved by the PA Department of Health for professional rescuers or healthcare professionals.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Patrols for the park and its facilities, and responds appropriately to any situation which may arise, including safety issues, park visitors that require assistance, emergencies and violations of Commonwealth or Park laws, rules or regulations. Assists with determining the course of action to take to resolve issue and follows through. Calls for back up assistance as necessary.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   First Aid and Safety Certificate from the American Red Cross

2.   Class C Driver's License

3.   Act 120 Certification

4.   CPR for the Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross

5.   N/A

6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisor, and the public.
2.	Report safety concerns to maintenance and your supervisor.
3.	Maintain certifications.
4.	Operate various motor vehicles.
5.	Administers standard first aid methods & CPR.
6.	Work in varying climatic conditions. Traverse long distances of rough terrain.
7.	Effectively uses oral or written communication techniques.
8.	Work with the public to obtain cooperation & compliance with rules & regs.
9.	React quickly and calmly to emergencies.
10.	Interpret policies and procedures with regard to outdoor recreation in state parks and forests.