Summer Dream: Jobs In New York State Parks

It's warm enough to think about summer! The New York State Parks Department's Summer Recreation program operates 51 public campgrounds and 5 day use areas throughout the Adirondack and Catskill parks.

More than 600 seasonal employees are hired to provide varied services throughout the summer season. In many cases, housing is available.

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Assistant Forest Rangers

The Division of Forest Protection employs assistant forest rangers (AFRs) to support its forest ranger force in patrolling interior state land management units in the Adirondack Park. AFRs spend each day hiking trail or paddling waterways to meet hikers and campers using these states lands. For more information go to Assistant Forest Rangers.

Environmental Education Camps

Youth camps are operated by DEC from June to August and employ temporary workers including: camp directors, counselors, cooks, food service workers and medical staff. For more information on the camps and requirements for the various positions go to Employment at Education Camps.

Lifeguards

Lifeguards are hired for our campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill regions. Testing for these positions usually start in January and may continue until early June. For more information on being a lifeguard, go to Lifeguard Test.

• 2019 Lifeguard Candidate Packet (pdf)
• Employment Application (pdf)

There is a lifeguard class in Amsterdam in February. There are lifeguard tests throughout the Hudson Valley this spring.

• March 3 and April 14 at Monroe Woodbury Middle School in Central Valley
• April 20, May 19, and June 8 at Taconic Hills High School in Craryville
• May 18 and June 15 at North Rockland High School in Thiells
• June 2 and June 8 at Copper Beech Middle School in Yorktown

Temporary seasonal positions other than Lifeguard do not require an examination.

All hiring is done through regional offices. For more information on applying for seasonal employment, please contact the nearest Regional Office of the state Parks and Recreation Department.

Don't forget to check your county and local recreation departments for summer employment opportunities. Here are a few examples:

• Lifeguard: Saw Mill Club, Mount Kisco
• Summer Day Camp Lifeguard: Sprout Westchester Day Camp, Croton-on-Hudson
• Lifeguard: EF International Language Campus, Tarrytown
• Lifeguard: Green Chimneys, Brewster
• Weekday Lifeguard: Club Fit, Jefferson Valley
• Lifeguard: SafeSplash Swim School, Nanuet
• Water Safety Instructor: Port Chester Carver Center, Port Chester
• Lifeguard: New York Sports Club, White Plains

Image via NY Parks Dept

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