Forest Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $50,491.00 - $79,450.00 Annually
Location : Berks County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-56896-74750
Department: Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Division: CN Fors Dstr #17
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 74750
Position Number: 00113186
Union: PSRA
Bargaining Unit: R4
Pay Group: RG29
Bureau / Division Code: 00388117
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Forestry, Forest District 17
Worksite Address: 845 Park Road
City: Elverson, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 19520
Contact Name: Kassandra Schuyler
Contact Email: kschuyler@pa.gov
THE POSITION
The DCNR Ranger position in the William Penn Forest District offers an exciting chance to serve the public while protecting natural spaces. This role allows you to patrol beautiful forest areas, respond to emergencies, and help visitors enjoy the outdoors safely. You will take on meaningful work that supports conservation and strengthens community connections. This is a great opportunity for applicants who want an engaging and rewarding career.
Watch this video to see how DCNR Rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position serves the public by providing safety, education, and enforcement services throughout the William Penn Forest District. It combines emergency response, public interaction, and resource protection. As a DCNR Ranger, you will perform the following duties:

• Public Interaction: Engage visitors professionally and provide information on forest rules, recreation and natural resources
• Law Enforcement: Patrol assigned areas, issue citations, and conduct investigations in accordance with State Forest Officer responsibilities
• Educational Outreach: Present programs, lead hikes, and assist in developing materials that support environmental education
• Emergency Response: Administer aid, assist in search efforts, and monitor communications to support public safety
• Resource Support: Maintain signs, assist with social media efforts and help manage camping areas and recreational sites
• Fire Assistance: Support wildland fire prevention programs and participate in fire activities within qualification limits

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work will be scheduled 5 days/40 hours per week, and will include a 30-minute lunch.
• Work days and shifts will vary and will include holidays, weekends, and evenings.
• Overtime and travel may be required
• 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the DCNR Ranger Trainee (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration) program; or
• Completion of a department approved law enforcement training program and 15 college credits in natural or environmental sciences, natural resource management, park management, parks or outdoor recreation, forestry, environmental education, ecology, wildlife management, or in a closely related field; or
• One year of experience as a forest or park ranger at a park or recreational facility which includes the authority to exercise the powers of arrest.

Special Requirements:

• You must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment.
• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.
• All employees must obtain commission as a State Park or State Forest Officer and maintain this commission for the duration of employment in this job.
• All employees must obtain valid certification in standard first aid and adult, child, and infant CPR approved by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent during the probationary period.
• 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.

Other Requirements:

• This position requires employees to successfully pass a physical fitness test within 6 months of the start of employment. Click here to learn more about these requirements.
• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• 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.

Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.
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.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• 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.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Special Requirement - Will you be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment?
If yes, please click the button below. If no, please do not apply at this time and exit out of this application.

• Yes

02
Special Requirement - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

03
If you answered "Yes", please provide the issuing state, expiration date, and license number. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
04
Have you successfully completed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's DCNR Ranger Trainee program?

• Yes
• No

05
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
06
Have you completed a department approved law enforcement training program?
If you are claiming certification, you must attach a copy of your certification for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. You must attach your certification prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add your certification to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

07
Have you completed 15 or more semester college credits in natural or environmental sciences, natural resource management, park management, parks or outdoor recreation, forestry, environmental education, ecology, wildlife management, or in a closely related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

08
Do you possess one or more years of full-time experience as a forest or park ranger at a park or recreational facility which includes the authority to exercise the powers of arrest?