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Employment Opportunities in Summer Recreation

Campground Seasonal Employment

Summer Recreation operates 52 public campgrounds and 7 day-use areas throughout the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. Over 600 seasonal employees are employed to provide varied services throughout the summer season. All hiring is done through regional offices.

Most Common Titles

Conservation Recreation Facilities Supervisor - Two years of experience in maintenance or mechanical work under the supervision of a skilled trades person or completion of an appropriate two year technical school course.

Lifeguard - Must be at least 16 years of age (Preference given to 18 years and up). Possess current certification in lifeguard training or equivalent, community first aid and safety or equivalent, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation or equivalent. Must pass DEC's practical exam in Lifesaving and CPR skills.

Park and Recreation Aide Series - Must be physically able to perform a variety of maintenance duties. May require valid driver's license.

Conservation Security Worker (previously Conservation Park Ranger) - Must be in good physical condition. Must possess a motor vehicle operator's license and have completed either (A) one year at ranger school; or (B) one year park experience - involving contact with public, or in the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations; or (C) one year of assisting in construction or maintenance work; or (D) one year environmental experience in a remote

DEC's Summer Recreation program appoints seasonal lifeguards and interpreter interns to work at Campgrounds and Day Use Areas in the beautiful Adirondack and Catskill Mountains.

Lifeguard Positions

Would you like to work in New York State's beautiful Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves this summer?

Most jobs will start the last part of May and run through Labor Day. The current hourly rate is $10.35. Qualifications for employment are:

1. Minimum age is 16.
2. Prior to employment, a candidate must possess a currently valid American Red Cross Life guarding, the Lifeguard Waterfront Module, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer, or the equivalent certifications. All Certificates MUST REMAIN CURRENT through the operating season. Candidates may participate in the practical exam without certifications; however, they MUST be provided BEFORE employment begins.
3. Candidates must successfully complete the lifeguard practical exam of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) or the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). The DEC and OPRHP are two separate state agencies that hire lifeguards. By accepting each others test results, the two agencies are working together to provide candidates with more testing opportunities throughout New York State. For further information and to pre-register to take the lifeguard exam with OPRHP, please contact the region most convenient for you.
4. New candidates must undergo an interview by regional staff, the purpose of which is to evaluate an individual's maturity, related work, or other experience along with the ability to communicate and demonstration of job related knowledge. The interview will be conducted without regard to sex, race, color, creed or national origin, marital status or physical or mental disability that does not relate to the ability to perform the duties of the position.
5. After receiving a conditional offer of employment, each NEW candidate will be required to submit a current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation "Medical Standards and Examination Findings" form with a physician's certification that the candidate is physically capable of performing lifeguard duties. Returning lifeguards will be required to complete the Medical Standards for Returning Lifeguards. If there is any question concerning a candidate's physical status, the returning lifeguard will be required to complete a standard medical examination. All medical records will be held in confidence.
6. A minimum of 20/40 uncorrected vision is required in each eye.
7. PRE-REGISTRATION FOR ALL LIFEGUARDS TAKING THE DEC EXAM. All lifeguards wishing to take the DEC exam must pre-register with the central office no later than one week prior to the scheduled exam. Any lifeguard who fails to pre-register and shows up for the exam will NOT be allowed to participate if the examiner to testee ratio has been met. DEC will only allow five OPRHP guards to test at each exam. Only pre-registered OPRHP guards will have their test results forwarded to OPRHP. The contact number for pre-registration is 518-457-2500 ext. #1. You may also e-mail us at lfgdinfo@gw.dec.state.ny.us

For more information and a schedule of testing dates and locations, contact:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Summer Recreation
Third Floor
625 Broadway
Albany, N.Y. 12233-5253
e-mail - lfgdinfo@gw.dec.state.ny.us
or call 518-457-2500 ext. #1

PRE-REGISTERING IS REQUIRED 518-457-2500 ext. #1
Candidates must arrive at the specified start time. Exams will begin on time. Late arrivals will not be accepted

For further information please call: 518-457-2500 ext. #1
E-mail address: lfgdinfo@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Or write to:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Lifeguard Testing
Recreation 3rd Floor
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-5253

* For further information about the review/challenge course please call 518-457-2500 ext. #1 or email us at lfgdinfo@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Summer Interpretation Internships

The Positions

The Bureau of Recreation is currently recruiting to fill ten summer internships in the Nature Recreation Program, for the 2008 season. These positions will be located at campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves. These are paid positions. Rate of pay is $310/week based on forty hours of duty.

Locations

The Nature Recreation Program is offered at the following Forest Preserve Campgrounds:

• Adirondacks - Fish Creek Pond, Meacham Lake, Moffitt Beach, Cranberry Lake, Nicks Lake, Lake Luzerne, Northampton Beach, Limekiln Lake.
• Catskills - Mongaup Pond, North/South Lake.

Living arrangements vary depending on the campground. Accommodations range from simple platform structures to rustic cabins.

The Experience

Interns will receive training and experience in nature interpretation, environmental awareness and recreational programming. The intern will participate in a three day training/orientation program at the end of June, followed by a nine to ten week campground assignment.

Programming experience will include the following type of activities:

• Nature/Interpretive walks and hikes.
• Nature study, outdoor skills and environmental awareness.
• Children's programs, including the DEC's Junior Naturalist Program.
• Group canoe trips and day hikes.
• Campfire programs, guest speakers and performers, audio-visual presentations, and evening programs.
• Sports and recreation activities.

Qualifications

The Nature Recreation Program Internship is designed for candidates pursuing a degree in Natural Resources, Natural Sciences, Environmental Education, Parks and Recreation, or a related field. Candidates must have successfully completed one year of college training in such a field. Full time work experience in Environmental Education may be substituted on a year for year basis.

Experience (or willingness to learn) in the following areas is desirable: outdoor recreation skills, leadership, natural resources interpretation, sports leadership/organization and dealing with people.

It is recommended that interns have a drivers license. Personal Transportation Recommended:

• Rides to stores and personal services may be obtained by other means but may be limited by small staff size.
• Experience has shown that remote locations may result in a negative experience for participants with no transportation.

Application Information

Send a resume and cover letter to the address below. Application deadline is April 4, 2008. (Early application recommended.)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Attn: Jessica Tompkins or June Wojcik
Recreation 3rd Floor
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-5253
nrpinfo@gw.dec.state.ny.us

DEC Regional Office Contacts and Addresses

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• On This Page:
• • Campground Seasonal Employment
  • Lifeguard Positions
  • 2008 Lifeguard Testing Dates and Locations
  • 2008 Orientation Dates
  • Summer Interpretation Internships
  • DEC Regional Office Contacts and Addresses
• Related Links:
• • Lifeguard Testing Locations and Dates PDF File (18.6KB)
  • 2008 Lifeguard Candidate Package PDF (69KB)
• Contact for this Page:
• Division of Operations
  625 Broadway
  Albany, NY
  12233-5253
  518-457-2500
  email us