State Park Patrol Officer Recruitment announced

The Civil Service entrance exam for park patrol officers will be held on December 6; the deadline for applications is October 20.

Vacancies for park patrol officers exist throughout New York state. Qualified applicants who successfully pass the exam will be considered for hiring into a residential basic police academy and subsequent assignment to one of eleven park regions statewide. The parks system includes 168 state parks and 35 historic sites.

To qualify for appointment as a park patrol officer, candidates must be a resident of New York state, possess a valid New York state driver's license, have 60 college credit hours at the time of appointment, and be 20 to 35 years of age (military service credits allowed up to six years). In addition, candidates must successfully complete physical, psychological and drug testing, as well as an extensive background investigation.

Candidates selected for the basic police academy must also successfully complete 25 weeks of intensive practical training and classroom education. The program of instruction includes training in Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law and park regulations, as well as training in emergency and specialized vehicle operation and the handling and use of firearms. In addition, candidates are required to complete a 12-week Field Officer Training Program.

State park patrol officers are New York state police officers whose authority extends statewide and whose primary responsibility is to enforce laws and provide assistance and protection at New York's state parks and historic sites. They enforce all state and federal laws and may be assigned to patrol by boat, ATV, snowmobile, bike, personal watercraft or foot. Candidates appointed to the Park Police Academy receive a starting salary of $32,803 with salary increases up to the current job rate of $43,034.

Examination applications are available at any New York State Department of Civil Service or Department of Labor office and at the Civil Service web site, www.cs.state.ny.us. For further information, contact the New York State Parks Police: Kathy Schongar in Albany, 518-474-4029 or Major David Page in Genesee, 585-658-4692.