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Got a summer job? If you are not interning at MyRye.com, perhaps you want to patrol Playland Amusement Park as a seasonal park rangers with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.
The Department is accepting applications for seasonal park rangers to patrol County parks this summer. Applications are due by February 17 and are available online. If you are not sure a seasonal park ranger job will take you places, just ask Rye’s top cop Mike Kopy – he started his career in law enforcement as a seasonal park ranger at Rye Playland in the mid 1980s. Kopy had a 30+ career at the State level before becoming the director of public safety here in Rye in 2021.
Uniformed park rangers work under the supervision of County Police officers to maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere in the county’s parks. They assist park users, provide information on park rules and procedures, help in searches for lost children, perform basic first aid on occasion and make regular security checks of buildings and facilities.
First-time park rangers are paid $17 hourly. Salaries are higher for those who have worked as a ranger for the County before.
To qualify, applicants must be a high school graduate, at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and possess a valid New York State driver’s license by the time of appointment. Preference in hiring may be shown to Westchester residents. The application form may be found in the Employment: Seasonal Park Rangers section of the Department website.
Accepted candidates must complete a 162-hour peace officer training program at the Westchester County Police Academy. Park rangers are paid during this Academy training. Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor said persons interested in law enforcement careers often benefit greatly from the experience gained by working as summer park rangers.
“By working under the supervision of Westchester County Police officers, park rangers get a unique view into the law enforcement field and the potential career opportunities that exist,” Raynor said.
