New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

Park Police Officer Trainee

The New York State Park Police are highly trained and dedicated to helping people and protecting the state's natural and historic treasures. If you're interested in a rewarding career in law enforcement, consider becoming a New York State Park Police Officer. Our team works in some of the most beautiful places in the state!

Recruitment for the 2024 Park Police Academy begins now! The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation is accepting applications now for the Park Police Officer Trainee for roles throughout New York State. Learn how to apply below!

Apply Today!

The first step is to apply by submitting the required documents below to PPOCareers@parks.ny.gov

- Employment Application Part 1 and Addendum - https://parks.ny.gov/documents/park-police/NYSParkPoliceEmploymentApplicationS1000Part1andAddendum.pdf
- A copy of your transcripts
- A copy of your DD-214 (applicable only for veterans)
- Date of birth

Applications and documentation listed above are due by September 30, 2023. After applying, if you meet the requirements listed under "Am I Eligible?” and provide all documentation listed above, you will be contacted with an invitation to the Agility Testing in Fall 2023 (date to be announced).

Am I Eligible?

Age Requirements:

- Candidates must be at least 20 years of age at time of hire. Cannot be more than 34 years old on June 1, 2024.

- Time spent on military duty or on terminal leave, not exceeding a total of seven (7) years, shall be subtracted from your age if you have passed your 35th birthday.

Education Requirements:

- Minimum college education requirements: 60 college credit hours by June 1, 2024; 30 of those hours may be waived if candidate is an honorably discharged veteran with at least two years of active military duty.

Additional Requirements:

- Must be a United States citizen and New York State resident at the time of appointment and maintain a New York State residency after appointment.

- Must hold a valid New York State Driver license at time of appointment and maintain it after appointment as a term and condition of employment.

Salary, Benefits & Work Location

Starting Salary:

First 6 months of traineeship - $56,360 (at the residential academy)

Second 6 months of traineeship - $57,827 - $76,792 (rate will be based on what zone the Park Police Officer

Trainee is assigned to for field training after the 6 month residency school)

After traineeship is complete (1 year) - $65,798 - $84,763 (rate will be based on what zone the Park Police Officer is assigned to)

To see a full Salary Chart for the career of a Park Police Officer, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/park-police/park-police-officers.aspx#Salary

Additional Geographic Pay:
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 to the downstate adjustment, 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.

NEW: Additionally, appointees who work in the mid-Hudson region (Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties) or downstate region (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, or Suffolk counties) are eligible for an additional $15,000 in geographic pay differential.

Benefits:
- Accrue 13-24 vacation days, 12 holidays, 5 personal days and 13 sick days each year.
- Excellent health, dental and vision insurance coverage
- Salaries do not include overtime.
- Retirement is at half pay after 25 years.
- Promotional opportunities available by competitive examination processes.
- All uniforms and equipment are provided

Learn more about Salary and Benefits, including a salary chart by location, here: https://parks.ny.gov/park-police/park-police-officers.aspx#Salary

Work Location:
After completing a six-month residential police academy located in Rensselaerville, NY, Park Police Office Trainees will be assigned to a Park Police Zone, which may be anywhere in New York State, upon graduation. Then trainees will complete field training at their assigned zone for the remaining 6 months of their probationary period before advancing to Park Police Officer, Grade 14.

To learn more about the next steps in the hiring process, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/park-police/park-police-officers.aspx

If you have any questions, please contact Division Headquarters at (518) 474-4029 or email PPOCareers@parks.ny.gov.