Park police officer trainee

Description

Duties Description

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 2026 Park Police Academy begins now! The Park Police Officer Trainee/Trainee (Spanish Language) exam is scheduled to be held November 1, 2025. The application period to sign up for the exam starts August 15, 2025. All applications must be submitted online or postmarked by September 17, 2025.

To review announcement and apply for the exam, go to:

Stay Updated By Subscribing For Notifications

NY State Parks

Civil Service

About The State Park Police

Typically, the State Park Police handle very large crowds, assist park users, search for and rescue missing persons, make arrests, conduct criminal and non-criminal investigations, and provide emergency services wherever and whenever they are needed. Special services the State Park Police also offer include marine law enforcement and education duties on New York waterways, snowmobile enforcement and education, and high angle and swift water rescue teams.

The Park Police plan and conduct police and public safety operations for some of the largest public assemblies in the nation. State Park Police officers patrol in marked police cars, four-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, boats, and personal water crafts, as well as on foot. The Park Police also have an elite group of K9 teams that help keep State Parks, our visitors, and our neighboring communities safe.

Starting Salary

• First 6 months of traineeship - $61,587 (at the residential academy)
• Second 6 months of traineeship - $63,192 - $82,525 (rate will be based on what county the Park Police Officer Trainee is assigned to for field training after the 6-month residential academy)
• After traineeship is complete (1 year) - $73,796 - $93,129
  
  

To see a full Salary Chart for the career of a Park Police Officer, visit:

Additional Geographic Pay

Officers who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester counties will receive an additional $1,762 annual downstate adjustment.

In addition to the downstate adjustment, Police who work in the following locations will receive an additional supplemental local pay in the following amounts: the counties of Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess counties - $1,467; the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties - $2,204; and Nassau and Suffolk counties - $2,571.

Officers 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 differentials.

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 20 years.
• Promotional opportunities are available by competitive examination processes.
• All uniforms and equipment are provided.
  
  

Learn More About Salary And Benefits Here

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To read more about the minimum qualifications:

Age Requirements

• Candidates must be at least 20 years of age at time of hire. Candidates must not have passed their 43rd birthday on the date of the written test.
• Time spent on military duty or on terminal leave, not exceeding a total of six (6) years, shall be subtracted from your age if you have passed your 43rd birthday.
  
  

Education Requirements

• Either 1: 60 college semester credit hours;
• Or 2: two years of active United States military service with an honorable discharge or under conditions in the New York State Restoration of Honor Act;*
• Or 3: four years of United States military reserve or any state National Guard service;*
• Or 4: two years of full-time of experience as a police officer within New York State with a valid New York State Municipal Police Training Course certification;*
• Or 5: two years of full-time of experience as a peace officer within New York State with a valid a New York State Municipal Police Training Course certification.*
• * 30 college semester credit hours can substitute for one year of the required experience
• At the time of appointment, you must have a high school diploma, high school equivalency diploma issued by a recognized educational authority, or a USAFI GED high school level diploma.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Must be a United States citizen and a 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.
  
  

Additional Comments

Once the exam registration has been completed, candidates that pass the exam can be canvassed for the role. Candidates who respond “Yes” to the canvass can be invited to participate in the next steps of the evaluation process, which include:

• Agility performance test
• Medical examination, after a conditional offer of employment
• Psychological examination
  
  

**Travel is required for certain steps in the hiring process**

To learn more about next steps in the evaluation and hiring process visit:

Those who are selected for hire will start as Park Police Officer Trainees Grade 13 and will:

• Be enrolled in a six-month residential police academy located in Rensselaerville, NY.
• Be assigned to a Park Police Zone within New York State upon graduation.
• Complete Field Training and the remaining 6 months of their probationary period.
  
  

After successfully completing the traineeship, candidates will advance to Park Police Officer Grade 14.

If you have any questions, please contact Division Headquarters at [email protected].