Natural Resource Officer I/Park Ranger

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park

Job Type	Permanent
Salary	$25.68 per hour
Deadline	Mar 20, 2026

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NATURAL RESOURCE OFFICER I (PARK RANGER) - POSITION# K0122973

This classified, permanent full-time position is located at Cheney State Park, Parks Division; and is directly supervised by Mitchell Schwartz, State Park Manager Supervisor II.

Key Responsibilities:

Administers and participates in law enforcement activities in assigned state park areas.
Enforces license and permit requirements; detects violations, makes arrests, collects evidence, prepares cases, and testifies.
Must be a credible witness in court.
Coordinates and conducts property and facility inspections.
Develops, coordinates and maintains a public relations program.
Represents the department through public speaking, constituent contacts, media contacts, and educational program participation.
Plans, assigns, reviews, and schedules work performance of park staff responsible for safety, construction, maintenance, land management, development, permit sales, and public relations, as assigned by supervisor.
Prepares and submits budget and cost estimates.
Conduct studies and surveys; recommends and participates in training development; and coordinates and actively participates in all aspects of park maintenance.

Post Offer Conditions:

If an applicant is not currently law enforcement certified, our agency will send the successful applicant to the required training as listed below. Applicants do not have to be law enforcement certified to apply.

Benefits:

Salary: Beginning hourly wage $25.68/hr
Health and Insurance: Immediate group health, dental and vision coverage and life insurance coverage.
Retirement and Options: Kansas Police and Fire Retirement plan and optional deferred compensation.
Paid Leave: Holidays, sick leave, vacation leave, and parental leave.

Minimum Requirements:

High School diploma or GED Equivalent
Must be 21 years of age
Must pass a background check, be a credible witness in court, and possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Necessary Special Requirements:

This class requires the employee to be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. Certification must be obtained before the employee is given permanent status. The employee must complete a basic law enforcement training program recognized by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission and annual training as required by K.S.A. 74-5607a.
This class requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; therefore, to be eligible for appointment to a position in this class, candidates cannot have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth in 18 U.S.C.§ 992 (g) (8) and (9).To be eligible for certification in the state of Kansas, one must also be free of any diversions from a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act.
Candidates for positions in this class must have the following: be a U.S. citizen; be 21 years of age at the time of appointment; free of conviction of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or a state prison; and be required to pass a physical exam administered by the hiring agency.
This class requires that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services, a pre-employment physical, a psychological examination, and a polygraph is required for admission into the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Basic Course.

HOW TO APPLY: Go to the State Employment Center at https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center and follow the directions below:

Click in the middle of the page under the Sunflower. From there either Sign into your existing account or Register for a new account.
Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page. Please make sure to include your email address.
Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
Complete and Submit your application.
Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page

The following are the required items to apply:

1) a letter of interest

2) a detailed resume; including a valid e-mail address

3) transcript material, if you wish to include them

4) employment application – this is generated from the information which is input into the system

5) an Authorization to Release Information form** (this can be found at the following website):

https://www.ksoutdoors.gov/news/KDWP-Info/Jobs/Employment-Application-Additional-Info

**Please note, this form must either be witnessed and signed by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employee or signed in front of and notarized by a notary public. We reserve the right to conduct a background check on all qualified applicants.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application packet must be submitted for each position. We no longer make copies of previous applications. Submitted application materials will be reviewed in Pratt to assure that the position minimum requirements are met, and those meeting the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the respective division for interview selection.

Applicants are notified whether or not they are selected to interview. The interview is generally a one-time, panel interview consisting of position-specific questions for all applicants (same questions for each applicant), with the selection being made after all candidate interviews are completed.

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran” under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum requirements of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the appointing authority. Additional VPE information can be found at https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/veterans. Applicants claiming veterans’ preference for the first time must mail a copy of your DD-214 to the Office of Personnel Services, 900 SW Jackson, Room 401-N, Topeka KS 66612, or FAX to 785/291-3715.

Disability Hiring Preference: If you are claiming Disability Hiring Preference for the first time please mail a copy of your supplemental security income or social security disability insurance determination letter, letter from a managed care organization or qualified medical professional attesting to the disability, home and community-based services waiver approval letter, or vocational rehabilitation letter from a vocational rehabilitation counselor. These documents can be sent by fax to (785) 296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed or delivered in-person to ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator, Office of Personnel Services, 900 SW Jackson Rm 401-N, Topeka, KS 66612. Visit https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs/disabilityhiring-preference for more information.

DEADLINE TO APPLY – March 20, 2026

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.

When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.

Category	General / Stewardship , Outdoor Recreation
Tags	Park Ranger , Nature Center

THANK YOU!