Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00113186	Description Activated On: 7/24/2026 8:49:17 AM

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 position involves work as a public service, law enforcement, safety, and public contact officer for the William Penn Forest District. The DCNR ranger is tasked with public contact, emergency services, investigation, powers of arrest, and assist in the development and implementation of environmental strategies.

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.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
1. Interacts with State Forest visitors in a professional and courteous manner
2. Informs the public on State Forest Rules and Regulations, recreation opportunities and the forest environment
3. Presents educational programs to the general public, civic groups, and other organizations.

Law Enforcement
This position requires commission as a State Forest Officer with the ability to exercise powers of arrest. Employee must obtain and maintain commission through a Bureau approved training program, ongoing trainings, and updates.
1. Issue traffic and non-traffic citations
2. Files citations and criminal complaints with District Judge in a timely manner
3. Act as prosecutor and witness or the Commonwealth
4. Collect evidence and obtain search warrants
5. Conduct interviews
6. Assist other agencies such as: PA Game Commission, PA Fish and Boat Commission, Bureau of State Parks, local police departments, PA State police with enforcement on DCNR lands
7. Wears the issued DCNR uniform in the performance of duties
8. Patrols in the assigned Commonwealth vehicle, on foot, bicycle, ATV, canoe, or other conveyance.
9. Monitor the Commonwealth and county communications radio frequencies
10. Assist with search and rescue incidents to the appropriate level of training
11. Administer aid to injured persons
12. Attend and successfully complete annual Act 120 updates
13. Required to attend and successfully complete training in the use of defensive weapons
14. Complete incident reports and citations accurately and professionally
15. Monitor State Forest boundaries for encroachments

Environmental Education, Interpretation, and Communication:
1. Creates/ assists in researching and developing educational publications, exhibits, and maps.
2. Develops and presents localized special activities for forest visitors, and environmental and interpretive programs focusing on localized natural history, historic and cultural events, and environmental management issues for students, youth groups, civic organizations, and others.
3. Facilitates guided hikes and provides audiovisual presentations including preparing lesson plans, promotional materials for events, and educational materials for trainings and workshops.
4. Works in conjunction with Forest District employees
5. Engages with the public and responds to office phone inquiries, providing general forest information, camping permits, and does other administrative tasks as needed.
6. Assist with the District’s social media presence.
7. Assist with the permitting and maintenance of camping areas, access sites, and other infrastructure
8. Assist with the maintenance and placement of informational signs
9. Coordinates work with the Recreation forester and Conservation Volunteers to conduct educational programs, establish partnerships, and complete volunteer projects.
10. Remains current on trail and habitat projects/priorities and communicates those needs effectively with the public.
11. Use GPS/GIS to inventory district recreational resources.

Forest Fire Protection
The primary duties of DCNR Officers are public contact, law enforcement and emergency response on DCNR manage lands. If there is a conflict between assisting in fire related activities and primary duties, such as weekends or evenings of high visitor use days, officers should be assigned to meet public contact and emergency response needs unless fire danger conditions as evaluated by the District Fire Warden determine the use of the Officer as a fire responder is critical.
1. Assists in the delivery of the Wildland Fire Prevention Program (Smokey Bear programs)
2. DCNR officers may participate in prescribed fire and wildland fire within the district to the extent of their qualifications and experience, and ensuring the aforementioned responsibilities are met
3. DCNR Officers may participate in Type III team activities with permission from the District Forester.
4. DCNR Officers are not authorized to participate in out-of-state fire suppression crew or single resource details
Other duties as directed
Employee will be required to follow any other job related instructions and to perform other job related duties requested by the supervisor.

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.

Often makes decisions independently based on training and sound judgment within the authority granted. Informs and seeks advice from supervisor when decisions may have complex consequence or impact other programs. Maintains working relationships with partners with overlapping jurisdiction. Consults with supervisor to ensure expenses are appropriate and within budget.

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.   Act 120 Certification

2.   Class C Driver's License

3.   N/A

4.

5.

6.

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

1.	Drive a Commonwealth vehicle.
2.	Obtain and maintain commission as a DCNR Officer with the ability to exercise powers of arrest
3.	Maintain certification in firearms and defensive weapons systems
4.	Acquire and maintain first aid and CPR certifications
5.	Lift and carry up to 60 pounds
6.	Traverse steep and rocky terrain for long distances in various weather conditions.
7.	Lead guided hikes, tours, and workdays.
8.	Able to work a variable schedule of evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
9.	Understand recreation and habitat management principles and in practice implementation
10.	Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, in ways that are audience appropriate and effective.