GOT-IT

Park Police Officer

Grade 14

New York State has approximately 253 positions* in this title statewide. You may view a breakdown of positions by county. This position exists in Parks and Recreation. View links to all New York State agencies including agencies that have this title. For more information, New York State employees can contact the Career Mobility Office at (518) 485-6199 or (800) 553-1322. If you are not a current New York State employee, you can use the Department of Civil Service Web site to explore possible employment opportunities.

*The number of positions is approximate and represents the number of positions established (both filled and vacant); it is not an indication or reference to position type or duration, or intent to be filled. If you are viewing a trainee title, please note this number reflects the number of positions established at the journey level. Agencies may fill at the trainee level(s) or at the journey level based on employee qualifications. GOT-IT does not provide information on any job postings or job availability. For information on current job postings, please visit State Jobs NY. You may also visit specific New York State Agency websites for information about an agency and its job opportunities.

Career Ladder

A listing of titles that are most commonly used as steps for upward mobility for this title series. The salary schedule for this career ladder is also available.

  1. Park Police Officer Trainee

    Similar to Grade 13

  2. Park Police Officer

    Grade 14

  3. Sergeant Park Police

    Grade 17

  4. Lieutenant Park Police

    Grade 20

  5. Captain Park Police

    Grade 22

  6. Major Park Police

    Grade 62

Summary of Job Description

Maintain order within facilities to ensure the safety and security of patrons and to preserve and protect the natural and historic resources of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  

• Deter crime by their uniformed presence and proactive patrol tactics.

• Provide crowd and traffic control.

• Protect victims at the scenes of crimes, accidents, and fires and direct the response of emergency personnel, including firefighters, paramedics, ambulances, and tow trucks.

• Direct the administration of first aid and secure medical assistance for the prompt treatment of sick or injured persons.

• Instruct park patrons regarding various laws and agency rules and regulation.

• Communicate laws, rules, and regulations to patrons while on patrol and when engaging in enforcement actions.

• Speak to interested groups at schools, fairs, and shows to explain the Park Police career and profession.

• Participate in administered traffic, boating, and snowmobile safety programs.

• Administer and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations to protect persons and property from injury or damage.

• Patrol an assigned area on foot, by car, bicycle, boat, or other form of transportation to detect crime and provide assistance to park visitors.

• Make arrests and/or issue tickets to halt illegal and disorderly behavior and deter future violations of the law.

• Evict violators from campgrounds and other facilities as necessary.

• Conduct sobriety checkpoints to detect alcohol or drug impaired motorists and make arrests of same.

• Conduct investigations throughout the District to apprehend subjects wanted for offenses committed in areas under the jurisdiction of the agency.

• Make inquiries by law enforcement computer networks to verify the identity of suspects and suspect vehicles.

• Detect hazards, unsafe conditions, or irregularities on park property and direct the response of appropriate personnel.

• Assist local law enforcement agencies in the collection and compilation of boating accident and casualty reports by conducting investigations and prosecuting offenders.

• Work with and assist other police agencies during emergency situations.

• Record activities and incidents by completing reports including accident reports, crime reports, investigative reports, and general incident reports, and complete other paperwork as required.

• Conduct police inquiries and investigations, using a variety of techniques.

• Analyze or direct the collection and analyses of breath, blood, and urine samples and other physical evidence and factual data for the purpose of identifying offenders and initiating successful prosecution.

• Inspect and photograph crime scenes to identify, preserve, collect, secure, and analyze physical evidence.

• Interview suspects, victims, and witnesses to obtain testimonial evidence.

• Execute search warrants to recover evidence as necessary.

• Present the results of enforcement and investigation to a court of law.

• Apprehend suspects, including physical restraint and custody, perform mandated booking procedures, and attend arraignment of the accused before a magistrate.

• Secure offenders to the custody of the appropriate law enforcement organization when so ordered by the court.

• Execute arrest and bench warrants.

• Complete all paperwork as required by the court or District Attorney.

• Testify in court when required.

• Seek and maintain the cooperation of other federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.

• Teach specific programs for the public and for police professionals.

• Assist municipalities and agency personnel in determining training needs, and develop, administer, conduct, and evaluate programs and courses.

• Conduct training programs for local law enforcement agencies and agency security personnel.

• Perform periodic field audits of municipalities to ensure conformance to program mandates and standards.

• Conduct or assist in the presentation of programs related to boating and safe navigation and assist staff of the Bureau of Marine Services in developing courses and programs.

• May attain state certification as police instructor to provide instruction in various topics at schools and academies.

• Perform field training of recruits and conduct in-service training and programs for Park Police Officers.

• Recruit candidates for permanent positions as well as temporary and seasonal positions.

• Speak at local colleges and attend job fairs to promote the Park Police Officer career and the Park Police Officer Trainee examination.

• Recruit candidates for temporary and seasonal police positions, interview candidates, conduct background investigations, and make recommendations for hire.

• Recruit and interview candidates for civilian positions, conduct background investigations, and make recommendations for hire.

View the classification standard for this title, on the Classification and Compensation webpage.

The NYS Title and Salary Plan provides additional information regarding other titles. If there is a classification standard available there will be a link under the column labeled STD. NO. If no link is available there is no classification standard available at this time for that title.

Summary of Minimum Qualifications

Please note: qualifications for this position may be subject to change. If substitutions for education and/or experience are allowed, this information would be available on the announcement.

You must take and pass a Civil Service Examination to be considered for this position.

Park Police Officers must:  possess a high school diploma, a high school equivalency diploma, or a USAFI GED high school level diploma.  Candidates must have completed or expect to complete 60 college semester credit hours by the time of the examination.  Two years of active military service with an honorable discharge may be substituted for 30 of the 60 college semester credit hours.  

Park Police Officers must:  maintain New York State residency pursuant to the Public Officers Law; be qualified to be a Police Officer under New York State Law and be legally eligible to carry firearms.  

They must also possess or obtain a valid and unrestricted Class D New York State Drivers License; meet the minimum physical, medical, psychological and agility requirements as determined by the Municipal Police Training Council; be not less than 20 years of age at the time of appointment; and be able to successfully complete mandatory training, including the Basic Course for Police Officers and specialized agency training provided during a traineeship.

For informational purposes only, click on the examination number(s) listed below to see the current or previous examination(s) that are used to fill this title.

How to Apply

When this examination is scheduled to be held, the announcement can be found on the Department of Civil Service, Examination Announcements web page. If you do not see an examination currently scheduled please check back on a monthly basis or sign up for announcement notification by email so that you will automatically be notified when new examinations are being offered.

Career Mobility

Career mobility is not just limited to the titles in the Career Ladder, above. Additional movement may be achieved through other examinations, additional education and/or work experience or transfer opportunities. For additional information or clarification of transfer determinations, current State employees should contact the Career Mobility Office. Visit ELMS Online to view established open-competitive, promotion, and transition eligible lists. If you are not a current New York State employee, see Employment Opportunities with New York State and find out how to become a New York State employee.

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