State Park Jobs and Career Opportunities - Pennsylvania
Name: Ben Ranney
Current Position: Environmental Education Specialist at Little Buffalo State Park
How long have you been with Pennsylvania State Parks and in what capacity?
Since July of 2005. I work 8 1/2 months a year.
How did you become interested in working as an Environmental Education Specialist?
I think camping at national and state parks as a child, and attending campground programs and various day events had a profound effect on me.
It has been a dream of mine to be involved in that type of work ever since. I spent too many years doing other work.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
On a typical day in May I would set up for a visiting school group, lead them through various activities or run a station while teachers from the school ran other stations. We get the kids in the creek quite often to do stream surveys, play a game where they experience the ups and downs of being a migrating bird, search for fossils, and lots of other activities. Most days involve some set up and tear down time as well as administrative duties such as scheduling groups, planning events, answering emails, etc.
On a summer weekend day, I might lead a walk to our historic cemetery and talk about the three civil war soldiers buried there. After lunch I?d open up our 19th century gristmill for tours from 1-3pm.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
37.5 hours.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Working with kids who really show an interest, and seeing the look on someone?s face when they discover something new and fascinating to them. Also, being outdoors a good bit of the day, as a park naturalist. You have to take time once and a while to be a naturalist and go off exploring for a bit.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Not enough time to do everything I?d like to do.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A four-year degree in any one of a variety of selected majors.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
More science courses.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
I?ve been delving into the historical aspects of our park. The signs of the early 1800s iron industry are abundant. We have a tavern used during the war of 1812 as a stop for army dispatch riders, the rail bed of a narrow gauge railroad, a covered bridge, and a working gristmill built in 1840. All these tie together to tell part of the story of the little valley where the park is located. I?d like to develop a program that encompasses all of that.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
The positions are civil service, so check the civil service website for the job requirements and the dates the tests are open. Schedule a test and get your name on the availability lists. Learn about the parks that you are hoping to work at.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I love my job, I work with fantastic people, and I learn something new every day. Pennsylvania State Parks place a good deal of emphasis on environmental education and interpretation. We are fortunate to have a great program and lots of support from the leadership of the Environmental Education & Information Division.
Current Position: Environmental Education Specialist at Little Buffalo State Park
How long have you been with Pennsylvania State Parks and in what capacity?
Since July of 2005. I work 8 1/2 months a year.
How did you become interested in working as an Environmental Education Specialist?
I think camping at national and state parks as a child, and attending campground programs and various day events had a profound effect on me. It has been a dream of mine to be involved in that type of work ever since. I spent too many years doing other work.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
On a typical day in May I would set up for a visiting school group, lead them through various activities or run a station while teachers from the school ran other stations. We get the kids in the creek quite often to do stream surveys, play a game where they experience the ups and downs of being a migrating bird, search for fossils, and lots of other activities. Most days involve some set up and tear down time as well as administrative duties such as scheduling groups, planning events, answering emails, etc.
On a summer weekend day, I might lead a walk to our historic cemetery and talk about the three civil war soldiers buried there. After lunch I?d open up our 19th century gristmill for tours from 1-3pm.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
37.5 hours.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Working with kids who really show an interest, and seeing the look on someone?s face when they discover something new and fascinating to them. Also, being outdoors a good bit of the day, as a park naturalist. You have to take time once and a while to be a naturalist and go off exploring for a bit.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Not enough time to do everything I?d like to do.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A four-year degree in any one of a variety of selected majors.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
More science courses.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
I?ve been delving into the historical aspects of our park. The signs of the early 1800s iron industry are abundant. We have a tavern used during the war of 1812 as a stop for army dispatch riders, the rail bed of a narrow gauge railroad, a covered bridge, and a working gristmill built in 1840. All these tie together to tell part of the story of the little valley where the park is located. I?d like to develop a program that encompasses all of that.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
The positions are civil service, so check the civil service website for the job requirements and the dates the tests are open. Schedule a test and get your name on the availability lists. Learn about the parks that you are hoping to work at.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I love my job, I work with fantastic people, and I learn something new every day. Pennsylvania State Parks place a good deal of emphasis on environmental education and interpretation. We are fortunate to have a great program and lots of support from the leadership of the Environmental Education & Information Division.
Current Position: Environmental Education Specialist at Little Buffalo State Park
How long have you been with Pennsylvania State Parks and in what capacity?
Since July of 2005. I work 8 1/2 months a year.
How did you become interested in working as an Environmental Education Specialist?
I think camping at national and state parks as a child, and attending campground programs and various day events had a profound effect on me.
It has been a dream of mine to be involved in that type of work ever since. I spent too many years doing other work.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
On a typical day in May I would set up for a visiting school group, lead them through various activities or run a station while teachers from the school ran other stations. We get the kids in the creek quite often to do stream surveys, play a game where they experience the ups and downs of being a migrating bird, search for fossils, and lots of other activities. Most days involve some set up and tear down time as well as administrative duties such as scheduling groups, planning events, answering emails, etc.
On a summer weekend day, I might lead a walk to our historic cemetery and talk about the three civil war soldiers buried there. After lunch I?d open up our 19th century gristmill for tours from 1-3pm.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
37.5 hours.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Working with kids who really show an interest, and seeing the look on someone?s face when they discover something new and fascinating to them. Also, being outdoors a good bit of the day, as a park naturalist. You have to take time once and a while to be a naturalist and go off exploring for a bit.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Not enough time to do everything I?d like to do.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A four-year degree in any one of a variety of selected majors.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
More science courses.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
I?ve been delving into the historical aspects of our park. The signs of the early 1800s iron industry are abundant. We have a tavern used during the war of 1812 as a stop for army dispatch riders, the rail bed of a narrow gauge railroad, a covered bridge, and a working gristmill built in 1840. All these tie together to tell part of the story of the little valley where the park is located. I?d like to develop a program that encompasses all of that.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
The positions are civil service, so check the civil service website for the job requirements and the dates the tests are open. Schedule a test and get your name on the availability lists. Learn about the parks that you are hoping to work at.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I love my job, I work with fantastic people, and I learn something new every day. Pennsylvania State Parks place a good deal of emphasis on environmental education and interpretation. We are fortunate to have a great program and lots of support from the leadership of the Environmental Education & Information Division.
<< See other Pennsylvania interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>Interview with an Environmental Education Specialist Name: Ben Ranney
Current Position: Environmental Education Specialist at Little Buffalo State Park
How long have you been with Pennsylvania State Parks and in what capacity?
Since July of 2005. I work 8 1/2 months a year.
How did you become interested in working as an Environmental Education Specialist?
I think camping at national and state parks as a child, and attending campground programs and various day events had a profound effect on me. It has been a dream of mine to be involved in that type of work ever since. I spent too many years doing other work.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
On a typical day in May I would set up for a visiting school group, lead them through various activities or run a station while teachers from the school ran other stations. We get the kids in the creek quite often to do stream surveys, play a game where they experience the ups and downs of being a migrating bird, search for fossils, and lots of other activities. Most days involve some set up and tear down time as well as administrative duties such as scheduling groups, planning events, answering emails, etc.
On a summer weekend day, I might lead a walk to our historic cemetery and talk about the three civil war soldiers buried there. After lunch I?d open up our 19th century gristmill for tours from 1-3pm.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
37.5 hours.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Working with kids who really show an interest, and seeing the look on someone?s face when they discover something new and fascinating to them. Also, being outdoors a good bit of the day, as a park naturalist. You have to take time once and a while to be a naturalist and go off exploring for a bit.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Not enough time to do everything I?d like to do.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A four-year degree in any one of a variety of selected majors.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
More science courses.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
I?ve been delving into the historical aspects of our park. The signs of the early 1800s iron industry are abundant. We have a tavern used during the war of 1812 as a stop for army dispatch riders, the rail bed of a narrow gauge railroad, a covered bridge, and a working gristmill built in 1840. All these tie together to tell part of the story of the little valley where the park is located. I?d like to develop a program that encompasses all of that.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
The positions are civil service, so check the civil service website for the job requirements and the dates the tests are open. Schedule a test and get your name on the availability lists. Learn about the parks that you are hoping to work at.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I love my job, I work with fantastic people, and I learn something new every day. Pennsylvania State Parks place a good deal of emphasis on environmental education and interpretation. We are fortunate to have a great program and lots of support from the leadership of the Environmental Education & Information Division.
<< See other Pennsylvania interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>
