NYC Urban Park Ranger Positions

NYC Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking Urban Park Rangers.  This job has an hourly salary of $24.25 per hour. 

All new hires must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religion or disability. If you are offered city employment, this requirement must be met by your date of hire, unless a reasonable accommodation for exemption is received and approved by the hiring agency.

NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 67 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. 

The Urban Parks Rangers’ (UPR) mission is to link New Yorkers to the natural world through environmental education, outdoor recreation, wildlife management and active conservation.

Employees who work for 6 months or longer are eligible for healthcare benefits.

All staff will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Major responsibilities:
Under supervision, lead environmental education, interpretation and recreation-based programs for school children, summer camps and adults in natural areas throughout the city. Programs can include fishing, canoeing, overnight camping, biking, hiking and more.

Lead projects that support wildlife, preserve the urban natural world and promote stewardship of parks and natural resources.

Staff nature centers, greet visitors and disseminate information regarding Parks Rules & Regulations, health & safety hazards and park events to the public.

Respond to animal conditions that include sick and injured wildlife, and domestic animals.

Patrol parks and natural areas, provide a uniform presence and enforce Parks Rules & Regulations.

Provide first aid and emergency response to park patrons.

Issue summonses for the violation of Parks Rules & Regulations; may detain or arrest violators of city and state laws. 

May be assigned to work in any borough.

Minimum qualification requirements:

1) An associate degree or completion of 60 college-level semester credits from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Educational Accreditation (CHEA); or

2) A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in one of the following: law or code enforcement; security; ecology; or as an environmental instructor or ranger in a recognized park, recreation or ranger program, cultural institution or accredited school; or

3) A satisfactory combination of education and experience that is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. College education may be substituted for the required experience in “2” above on the basis of 5 semester credits for 1 month of experience. Experience working as a clerk or secretary is not acceptable.


Special Patrolman Requirement:
At the time of appointment, you must meet the following qualifications for Special Patrolman status (a status given by the New York City Police Department pursuant to Title 38, Chapter 13 of the Rules of the City of New York):
Must be twenty-one years of age or older,
Must be a citizen of the United States
Must be a resident of New York City
Must have no record of convictions for any felony or for any serious offence against public safety (as defined in the New York State Penal Law),
if discharged from military service, the discharge must not have been dishonorable, and
Must be of good moral character.

Driver License Requirement:
By the time you are appointed to this position, you must have a motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York. If you have moving violations, license suspension(s) or an accident record, you may be disqualified. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
Medical Requirement:
Medical guidelines have been established for the position of Urban Park Ranger. Candidates will be examined to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position of Urban Park Ranger.  Where appropriate, a reasonable accommodation will be provided for a person with a disability to enable him or her to take the examination, and /or to perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred Skills:

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Experience working with children and families.

Bachelor’s degree. 60 college credits in Education, Science, Wildlife, Forestry or a related field.

Priority given to those who passed the most recent Urban Park Ranger Civil Service Exam.

connect