Park Manager Trainee - Park Operations and Maintenance Division

Become a Park Manager Trainee with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and start a career that makes a real impact! This role gives you hands-on experience in the statewide program areas responsible for guidance to the Bureau of State Parks, as well as the daily operations, maintenance, and planning that keep state park sites running smoothly. You will learn from experienced managers while building skills that prepare you for future advancement. This role sets you on the path to meaningful leadership in Pennsylvania's state parks!

This trainee role provides hands-on experience in supporting park operations and bureau program areas under guidance from park management and program managers.  As a Park Manager Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Resource Planning: Learn natural and cultural resources prescriptions, treatments and management strategies
• Operational Planning: Learn and document management decisions and processes, workflow, and park operating standards
• Park Supervision: Assist with guiding staff, reviewing performance, and supporting daily work activities
• Budget Processes: Participate in budget preparation, monitor expenditures, and review purchasing needs
• Public Interaction: Respond to visitor questions, assist with special events, and coordination with agencies and partners and help coordinate park events
• Maintain Park Resources: Contribute to natural resource care and help apply park rules, policies, and regulations
• Resource Stewardship: Support efforts to maintain natural resources, uphold park rules, and ensure safe and respectful park use
• Facility Management: Support maintenance, repairs, and construction projects across park grounds and buildings

Interested in learning more?  Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Park Management is a 24 hour operation that may require overtime during emergency situations.  Employee will work 37.5 hours/5 days per week to include holidays and weekends.  Days and shifts will vary.
• Requires travel throughout Commonwealth for training and work assignments.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.  
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email.  Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor, safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area; or
• Two years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor, safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area; and an associate degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field; or
• A bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
• All employees must pass psychological testing (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)).  Failure to pass this test is a basis for removal from the position.
• All employees must pass Pennsylvania State Police and FBI criminal background checks. A record of conviction of a criminal offense for which more than one year in prison can be imposed as punishment is a basis for removal from the position.
• This position requires the selected candidate to obtain and maintain commission as a State Park Officer.
• This position requires the selected candidate to obtain valid certification in standard first aid and adult, child, and infant CPR approved by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent.  Training will be provided by the Department.

Other Requirements:

• You must be willing to wear the prescribed uniform.
• You must be willing to reside on state park grounds when housing is available.
  
• You must meet the PA residency requirement.  For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines. 
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements: 

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.
• In accordance with Act 153 of 2014 this position is required to complete Child Abuse, Criminal and Federal Criminal History Checks around the time of hire and thereafter every 5 years.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.  Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements.  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date.  Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work.  Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.  Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted.  Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans: 

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.  The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.  The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.  All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position.  No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. 
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.