PARK RANGER

Park Ranger

Req:                 51261

Position #:      22092077

Salary:             $55,930

Grade:             LES03

Location:        Lake Chicot and Delta Heritage Trail (or as assigned)

Closing date:   07/24/2025

Job Duties: Patrol park grounds, facilities, campgrounds, trails, and waterways to ensure public safety and security. Duties include patrolling for possible thefts, illegal hunting and vandalism and other violations, making physical arrests, testifying in court, assisting local agencies, and administering first aid. Enforce Arkansas’s traffic and criminal statutes, and park-specific rules or park directives, and regulations, including applicable Arkansas Game and Fish laws. This includes making arrests and issuing warnings and/or citations as needed. Respond to emergencies such as medical events, accidents, lost persons, wildlife encounters, or criminal activity, providing appropriate action or assistance. Conduct preliminary investigations of crimes, accidents, or incidents occurring within park boundaries. Serve as a friendly, knowledgeable public contact for park guests, providing guidance, information, and education on park features, rules, and safety protocols. Be the health and safety officer for park events, or as support for law enforcement duties as assigned for events. Assist or lead public programming for health, safety, or security needs. Monitor natural and cultural resources for signs of damage, misuse, or illegal activity. Collaborate with resource management staff to support habitat protection and historical preservation efforts. Maintain accurate records and reports of patrol activities, incidents, arrests, and safety hazards. Complete daily logs, evidence documentation, and case-related paperwork in compliance with agency policies and directives. Assist with park operations including traffic control, campground compliance, and support during high visitation periods or special events. Participate in search and rescue efforts or emergency evacuations as needed.

KAS: Strong verbal communication skills for public interaction and enforcement. Ability to defuse tense situations and manage conflict calmly and effectively. Sound decision-making under pressure and in potentially hazardous or dynamic conditions. Excellent observational and situational awareness skills. Committed to ethical conduct, impartiality, and public trust. Displays a high standard of personal accountability and integrity. Ability to work cooperatively with other rangers, law enforcement, park staff, and state agencies. Adaptability to changing weather, visitor volume, and emergency scenarios.

Minimum Qualifications:  This position is subject to 24-hour calls, must be able to traverse rough terrain, work a varied shift including weekends, evenings, and holidays, work in inclement weather and carry a firearm while on duty.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in park management, outdoor recreation, criminal justice, criminology, or related field; or two years of college coursework; plus, two years of experience in a natural resources field. Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the ADPHT Committee for LEO Policy and Procedures. 
• All applicants must be able to pass a full background to meet the Commission of Law Enforcements Standards and Training requirements.
• Must have or be able to complete the Arkansas law enforcement certification training in accordance with
• ACA12-9-106.

All ADPHT Uniformed Law Enforcement positions are designated as Safety Sensitive Positions and are subject to random drug testing pursuant to the Secretarial Directive governing Personnel Drug Testing. Medical marijuana usage, as defined in Amendment 93 of the Arkansas Constitution, prohibits Personnel in a Safety-Sensitive Position from the use of medical marijuana even if they are qualifying patient under the amendment and/or hold a registry identification card. Department Personnel are prohibited from the use or possession of a medicinal marijuana card pursuant to this policy and state law.

Housing is provided located at Lake Chicot.

EOE/AA/ADA Women and minorities encouraged to apply. 

Applications accepted online only: https://arcareers.arkansas.gov

Please visit us on the web at https://adpht.arkansas.gov to find out more about us.

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism has three major divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism. Arkansas State Parks manages 52 state parks and promotes Arkansas as a tourist destination for people around the country. Arkansas Heritage preserves and promotes Arkansas’s natural and cultural history and heritage through four historic museums and four cultural preservation agencies. Arkansas Tourism improves the state’s economy by generating travel and enhancing the image of the state.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.