The New York State Park Police provide essential police services consistent with the Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation's mission-to provide safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for New York State residents and
visitors. State Park Police patrol in marked police cars, four-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, boats,
personal water crafts, and in one region, horses, as well as on foot. In addition, State Park Police assist park users, make
arrests, conduct criminal and non-criminal investigations, and provide emergency services. State Park Police also provide
special services including marine law enforcement and education duties on New York waterways, snowmobile enforcement and
education, and rope rescue teams. Park Patrol Officers are full time employees; Parks does not currently hire part-time
Officers or accept transfers.
Exam
NYS Civil Service announced November 17, 2012 as the exam date for Park Patrol Officer Trainee; the deadline
to register for the exam was October 1, 2012. At this time the next exam date has not been announced. Please visit NYS Civil Service
website to see the archived exam announcement
.
Qualifications
- Must be at least age 20 at time of appointment, and no more than 35 at time of written exam; however, up to 6 years of military active duty credit may be subtracted from the age at the time of the exam;
- Minimum educational credits-60 college credit hours. Two years of active military service with an honorable discharge may be substituted for 30 of the 60 college semester credit hours.
- Must be a United States Citizen and New York State resident at time of appointment, and maintain New York State residency after appointment.
- Must have a valid New York State Driver's License at time of appointment.
- Uncorrected visual acuity not less than 20/100 each eye; corrected distant visual acuity better than or equal to 20/30 (Snellen) in each eye.
- Must pass a physical/medical examination.
- Must not have visible tattoos per the Division’s policy: Tattoos, brands, body piercing and other body art shall not be visible while a member is in uniform or other business attire. The uniform includes a short sleeve shirt open at the front of the neck.
- Must successfully pass completion of a background investigation, including a polygraph. Conviction of a crime may bar appointment.
Selection Process
- Competitive written Civil Service examination
- Agility performance test (see Cooper Norms (pdf))
- Extensive background investigation, including polygraph examination
- Psychological examination, drug testing
- Medical examination, subsequent to a conditional offer of employment
- Successfully complete a six month residential police basic school
Salary & Benefits
- Current starting salary for a Park Patrol Officer Trainee, at SG-13 is $54,258. Appointees who work in the five boroughs
of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,520 annual downstate adjustment.
In addition, appointees who work in the following locations will receive an additional supplemental location pay in the following
amounts: Orange, Putnam and Dutchess Counties - $1,266; the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland and Westchester Counties - $1,900,
and Nassau and Suffolk Counties - $2,217. After satisfactorily completing a 6 month residential training academy at the NYS Park Police
Academy in Rensselaerville, NY, candidates will be appointed to a one-year traineeship leading to a SG-14 Park Patrol Officer position
with the adjustments and location pay indicated above. Salaries do not include overtime.
- Retirement is at half pay after 25 years.
- Promotional opportunities by competitive examination processes.
- 13-24 vacation days per year, 12 paid holidays, 5 personal leave days, and 13 days paid sick leave per year.
- Excellent health, dental and optical insurance coverage
- All uniforms and equipment are provided
Contact
NYS Park Police
OPRHP
Albany, New York 12238
(518) 474-4029
email: PPOcareers@parks.ny.gov
Persons with questions regarding employment with the New York State Park Police should contact the Park Police Headquarters in one of the State Park Regions listed below.
- Long Island - (631) 321-3700
- Hudson Valley - (845) 786-2781 (Palisades, Taconic, Saratoga/Capital)
- New York City - (212) 694-3620
- Mid-State - (315) 482-1071 (Thousand Islands, Central, Finger Lakes)
- Western New York - (716) 278-1777 (Niagara, Genesee, Allegany)
- Division Headquarters - Albany - (518) 474-4029
