New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Park Police Officer Trainee
New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Park Police Officer Trainee – New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Apply to the Park Police Officer Trainee position with New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. Recruitment for the 2026 Park Police Academy begins now. Applications are accepted through February 18, 2026. Salary
Base pay range: $61,587.00/yr – $93,129.00/yr. Salaries are based on skills and experience. Travel may be required for certain hiring steps. First 6 months of traineeship – $61,587 (residential academy) Second 6 months – $63,192 – $82,525 (rate based on county assignment) After completion (1 year) – $73,796 – $93,129 Officers working in New York City boroughs or Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester counties receive an additional $1,762 annual downstate adjustment. Additional supplemental local pay ranges from $1,467 to $2,571. Up to $15,000 geographic pay differentials may also apply. Benefits
13–24 vacation days, 12 holidays, 5 personal days, and 13 sick days each year. Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage. Retirement at half pay after 20 years. Promotional opportunities via competitive exams. All uniforms and equipment are provided. Duties and Responsibilities
The New York State Park Police provide law enforcement services in a wide variety of locations, from urban areas in New York City to ocean beaches and vast natural areas. Duties include: Handling large crowds Assisting park users Searching for and rescuing missing persons Making arrests Conducting criminal and non‑criminal investigations Providing emergency services on site Marine law enforcement and education on waterways Snowmobile enforcement and education High-angle and swift-water rescue teams Qualifications
Minimum qualifications: Age: 20 years on time of hire; must not have passed the 43rd birthday by October 1, 2026. Military duty or terminal leave may reduce age by up to six years. Education: Must meet educational requirements by June 30, 2026 if applicable. Experience: Must have required experience by February 18, 2026. Experience requirements: 60 college semester credit hours; or Two years active U.S. military service with honorable discharge or in accordance with the New York State Restoration of Honor Act;* Four years U.S. military reserve or any state National Guard service;* Two years full-time police officer experience in NY with valid New York State Municipal Police Training Course certification;* Two years full-time peace officer experience in NY with valid certification;* 30 college semester credit hours can substitute one year of required experience. Must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. U.S. citizen and New York State resident at time of appointment and maintain residency thereafter. Valid New York State driver’s license now and thereafter. Hiring Process
Agility Performance Test Background investigation Medical examination after conditional offer Psychological examination Civil Service written examination Visual acuity must be correctable to at least 20/30; if not, distant vision cannot be below 20/100 without correction. Cannabis use is not permitted. See Civil Service Physical/Medical Requirements Form: https://parks.ny.gov/sites/default/files/CivilServicePhysicalMedicalRequirements.pdf Successful candidates begin as Park Police Officer Trainees, Grade 13, and will be enrolled in a six‑month residential police academy in Rensselaerville, NY. Upon graduation, they will be assigned to a Park Police Zone and complete field training and the remaining six months of probation. After completing the traineeship, candidates advance to Park Police Officer Grade 14. Seniority Level
Internship Employment Type
Full-time Job Function
Consulting and Customer Service Industries
Government Administration
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Apply to the Park Police Officer Trainee position with New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. Recruitment for the 2026 Park Police Academy begins now. Applications are accepted through February 18, 2026. Salary
Base pay range: $61,587.00/yr – $93,129.00/yr. Salaries are based on skills and experience. Travel may be required for certain hiring steps. First 6 months of traineeship – $61,587 (residential academy) Second 6 months – $63,192 – $82,525 (rate based on county assignment) After completion (1 year) – $73,796 – $93,129 Officers working in New York City boroughs or Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester counties receive an additional $1,762 annual downstate adjustment. Additional supplemental local pay ranges from $1,467 to $2,571. Up to $15,000 geographic pay differentials may also apply. Benefits
13–24 vacation days, 12 holidays, 5 personal days, and 13 sick days each year. Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage. Retirement at half pay after 20 years. Promotional opportunities via competitive exams. All uniforms and equipment are provided. Duties and Responsibilities
The New York State Park Police provide law enforcement services in a wide variety of locations, from urban areas in New York City to ocean beaches and vast natural areas. Duties include: Handling large crowds Assisting park users Searching for and rescuing missing persons Making arrests Conducting criminal and non‑criminal investigations Providing emergency services on site Marine law enforcement and education on waterways Snowmobile enforcement and education High-angle and swift-water rescue teams Qualifications
Minimum qualifications: Age: 20 years on time of hire; must not have passed the 43rd birthday by October 1, 2026. Military duty or terminal leave may reduce age by up to six years. Education: Must meet educational requirements by June 30, 2026 if applicable. Experience: Must have required experience by February 18, 2026. Experience requirements: 60 college semester credit hours; or Two years active U.S. military service with honorable discharge or in accordance with the New York State Restoration of Honor Act;* Four years U.S. military reserve or any state National Guard service;* Two years full-time police officer experience in NY with valid New York State Municipal Police Training Course certification;* Two years full-time peace officer experience in NY with valid certification;* 30 college semester credit hours can substitute one year of required experience. Must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. U.S. citizen and New York State resident at time of appointment and maintain residency thereafter. Valid New York State driver’s license now and thereafter. Hiring Process
Agility Performance Test Background investigation Medical examination after conditional offer Psychological examination Civil Service written examination Visual acuity must be correctable to at least 20/30; if not, distant vision cannot be below 20/100 without correction. Cannabis use is not permitted. See Civil Service Physical/Medical Requirements Form: https://parks.ny.gov/sites/default/files/CivilServicePhysicalMedicalRequirements.pdf Successful candidates begin as Park Police Officer Trainees, Grade 13, and will be enrolled in a six‑month residential police academy in Rensselaerville, NY. Upon graduation, they will be assigned to a Park Police Zone and complete field training and the remaining six months of probation. After completing the traineeship, candidates advance to Park Police Officer Grade 14. Seniority Level
Internship Employment Type
Full-time Job Function
Consulting and Customer Service Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr