Overview

A career with the Maryland Park Service is an opportunity to work in some of Maryland's most beautiful places, while serving the outdoor recreation needs of over 19​​ million visitors each year. This privilege involves working with a dedicated and skilled team of park professionals who are passionate about natural and historic resource conservation, recreation and interpretation.

Maryland Park Service employees enjoy working in parks throughout Maryland, from Assateague State park on the Atlantic Ocean to Deep Creek Lake State Park in the mountains of Western Maryland. As a natural oasis from the sights and sounds of man, state parks uniquely provide Maryland's citizens and visitors with a wide range of important benefits, including:

• Education in nature and historic appreciation;
• Outdoor recreation that promotes healthy lifestyles;
• Services that contribute to tourism and local economies; and,
• Conservation of historic and natural resources.

The Work

The Maryland Park Service hires full-time entry to lead level rangers and maintenance employees, as well as administrative positions, assistant managers and park managers to help maintain 75 state parks. Each year, approximately 700 seasonal employees are hired to help maintain and operate Maryland's public lands. These seasonal part-time jobs include: rangers, maintenance staff, lifeguards, contact station attendants, naturalists, historic reenactors, and office administrative staff. Internship opportunities also offer college students an opportunity to gain experience in parks across the state.

Park Ranger

Duties: Park Ranger positions are "generalists" who can be involved in virtually every aspect of park management. The diversity of assignments provides an opportunity to learn about and experience a wide range of park operational functions. Duties may include:

• Implementing natural and historic conservation projects.
• Maintaining and managing trails.
• Developing interpretive and informational signs and brochures.
• Conducting environmental education programs.
• Collecting visitor service charges.
• Providing visitors with information.
• Working with volunteers.
• Supporting emergency response.
• Scheduling and budgeting.
• Purchasing supplies and materials.
• Maintaining and caring for park facilities.

Park Rangers work 40 hours per week, which includes working on weekends, evenings and holidays, depending on individual park schedules.

Eligibility: Maryland State Park Ranger candidates must possess five years of experience, one year of experience in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or preparing, developing or delivering programs that interpret natural, historical, cultural or recreational features and an additional four years of experience in park management, recreation or a natural or cultural resources related field. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field and one year of experience for the required experience. ​

Interested candidates can review the job specifications for entry level park ranger positions (State Park Ranger I​) here.

Park Maintenance

Duties: Park maintenance staff are responsible for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of grounds, facilities, and equipment and other maintenance functions necessary for aesthetics and public safety. Maintenance staff may also render assistance to the public with information, directions, first aid, and explaining regulations. Duties may include:

• Maintenance of park buildings
• Tree and lawn care, including hazardous tree removal
• Operating and repairing gas and diesel powered equipment
• Plowing and spreading of additives to road surfaces
• Plumbing and electrical repairs
• Inspecting water and septic systems
• Providing assistance during emergency responses
• Purchasing supplies and materials
• Monitoring fuel usage

Eligibility: Entry level park maintenance candidates must possess a high school diploma or high school equivalence certificate, as well as three years of experience in the skilled maintenance or construction trades that includes work as an electrician, plumber or experience in the maintenance of a park, forest or wildlife facility.

Interested candidates can review the job specifications for entry level park maintenance positions (Park Technician I) here.

For More Information On Maryland Park Service Jobs

All recruitments are posted on the JobAps website for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Candidates interested in applying for full-time positions, as well as part-time seasonal positions, with the Maryland Park Service must do so online through the JobAps website.

Candidates seeking assistance with submitting a job application via JobAps can contact: application.help@maryland.gov.

For more information about specific Maryland Park Service jobs, or working for the Maryland Park Service, please call 1-800-830-3974.

For information regarding the Maryland State Hiring process, visit the Maryland Park Service Hiring and Interview Tips website.

Operation Hire complements the supportive services already in place for Maryland veterans. If you are a veteran, please visit the Operation Hire website to learn about state resources to assist you in finding employment.

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.