Department of Civil Service

Starting Salary

$56,360

As a Park Police Officer Trainee, you will participate in a one-year traineeship. Upon completion of the traineeship, you will advance to the Grade 14 Park Police Officer, with a starting salary of $65,798. This includes all contractual wages.

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,613 annual downstate adjustment. In addition, appointees who work in the following locations will receive an additional supplemental local pay in the following amounts: the counties of Orange, Putnam and Dutchess - $1,343; the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland, and Westchester Counties - $2,017; and Nassau and Suffolk Counties - $2,352.

*Additionally, appointees who work in the mid-Hudson region (Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Westchester counties) or downstate region (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau or Suffolk counties) may receive up to an additional $15,000 geographic pay differential.

Salaries may increase pending approval of 2024 contract.

Where the Positions are Located

Positions exist in our eleven State Park Police Zones throughout the State. Appointments will be made based on the operational needs of the State at the time of graduation from the Police Academy.

Duties

As a Park Police Officer Trainee, you will participate in a one-year traineeship leading to a Grade 14 Park Police Officer. This traineeship will provide you with formal training and coursework, extensive on-the-job training, and carefully designed and monitored work experience. As part of the traineeship, and regardless of previous training, you will first be required to satisfactorily complete the Academy (a formal residential training program of approximately 26 weeks). Assignments will be made upon graduation from the Academy and will be determined based on the operational needs of the Agency. Failure to maintain the required academic standing, to qualify with weapons, to qualify in meeting the physical standards of the Municipal Police Training Council, or to successfully complete the traineeship will result in termination of employment. If you successfully complete the traineeship, you will be advanced to the Park Police Officer level without further examination.

As a Park Police Officer Trainee, you will serve as a police officer pursuant to section 1.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law. Your authority will extend throughout the state, although your primary responsibility will be to enforce laws and to provide information, assistance, and protection to visitors to New York State's parks and historic sites. You will be responsible for the enforcement of all federal and state laws including, but not limited to, the penal, parks and recreation, vehicle and traffic, and environmental conservation laws. Your responsibilities might include assignment on foot, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle, boat, personal watercraft, snowmobile, or other patrol. You might also be assigned to patrol duty or other police responsibilities.

Additional Requirements for Appointment

You must meet the below requirements to be appointed and for continued employment.

Background Investigation: Because of the nature of the position there is an investigative screening that will include a thorough character investigation, including a polygraph. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony will bar appointment. Misdemeanors or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.

Driver's License Requirement: You must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

Drug Testing: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a drug-screening test. Failure to meet the standards will result in your disqualification. Cannabis use is not permitted for employees in this title. Cannabis use will be tested for during the pre-employment screening process and may be the basis for disqualification for employment or may be a basis for removal from employment. A complete statement for drug testing for this title can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm

Fingerprinting and Fee Requirements: Fingerprinting is required prior to appointment. You will be required to pay the processing fee.

New York State Residency and United States Citizenship: Although not required for taking the test, you must be a citizen of the United States at the time of appointment. If appointed, you must maintain New York State residency pursuant to the Public Officers Law.

Physical/Medical Requirements: Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include but are not limited to: uncorrected distant visual acuity not less than 20/100 in each eye; corrected distant visual acuity better than or equal to 20/30 (Snellen) in each eye. Candidates must also have satisfactory color vision perception. You will be tested for satisfactory physical strength and coordination. You will be required to demonstrate the necessary physical fitness to perform the duties of the position of Park Police Officer. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm A medical examination will be required prior to appointment. Eligibles will be called to the physical/medical screening in score order as needed to fill existing and anticipated vacancies. Failure to meet the physical/medical standards will result in your disqualification.

Physical Skills and Abilities Testing: If you are considered for appointment, your skills and abilities will be evaluated through tests of strength, agility, flexibility, and endurance conducted by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. To obtain a statement of the requirements of these tests, visit the website at https://parks.ny.gov/park-police/default.aspx to view these requirements.

Psychological Evaluation: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a psychological evaluation to determine your fitness to perform the essential duties of the position. Failure to meet standards will result in your disqualification.

Public Officers Status: Park Police Officer Trainees and Park Police Officer Trainees (Spanish Language) are public officers under state law. At appointment, you must be a resident of New York State and at least 20 years old. You cannot have passed your 35th birthday on the date of the written test. However, time spent on military duty or on terminal leave, not exceeding a total of seven years, shall be subtracted from your age if you have passed your 35th birthday.

Probation: If you are appointed, but your conduct or performance during the traineeship is found to be unsatisfactory, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation may terminate your employment at any time.

Tattoo Policy: Candidates must comply with the New York State Park Police Tattoo policy. Tattoos, brands and/or body art that are unprofessional or offensive are prohibited. Tattoos on the head, neck, ears, scalp, face, hands or fingers are prohibited, except for a band tattoo that resembles a wedding ring on the traditional ring finger. For full details on the Tattoo Policy, visit the website below. https://parks.ny.gov/park-police/park-police-officers.aspx

If you are interested in an examination for this position, visit the Careers Opportunities in New York State Law Enforcement page for further information on how to apply.

Issued 7/12/2024