Outdoor Recreation and Interpretation Program Coordinator (Natural Resource Program Specialist 2)

State of Pennsylvania

$69K — $104K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum one year as a Natural Resource Program Specialist or equivalent, or three years in natural resource management or education with a relevant bachelor’s degree.
  • Valid Class C driver's license required.
  • PA residency requirement must be met.

Responsibilities

  • Lead development and evaluation of outdoor recreation and education programs statewide.
  • Develop and deliver training sessions and workshops for field staff.
  • Coordinate partnerships with agencies and organizations to enhance initiatives.
  • Create educational materials and virtual programs for public engagement.
  • Assess program effectiveness and suggest improvements for statewide initiatives.
  • Provide technical guidance and support to field staff and interpreters.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage options including dental and vision.
  • Generous paid leave, including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave.
  • Flexible work schedules and part-time telework options available.
  • Opportunities for professional development and internal mobility.
  • Employee discounts on various services and memberships.
Full Job Description
Salary: $69,086.00 - $104,959.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Division: CN Outdr Prgmg Srvs Div
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 54910
Position Number: 00028991
Union: Non-Union
Bargaining Unit: B3
Pay Group: ST08
Bureau / Division Code: 00386070
Bureau / Division: Outdoor Programming Services Division
Worksite Address: 400 Market Street
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17105
Contact Name: Zachary Bender
Contact Email: [email protected]

THE POSITION
Step into a role that makes Pennsylvania's outdoor spaces come alive! As the Outdoor Recreation and Interpretation Program Coordinator for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you help people discover new ways to explore nature. You guide programs that build outdoor skills, strengthen partnerships, and support lifelong learning. This position is perfect for someone who enjoys motivating others and creating meaningful outdoor experiences.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position guides the development, coordination, and evaluation of statewide outdoor recreation and environmental education programs. The work strengthens public engagement, supports field staff, and ensures high-quality learning experiences across many initiatives. As a Outdoor Recreation and Interpretation Program Coordinator, you will perform the following duties:
  • Program Leadership: Lead statewide coordination, development, and evaluation of outdoor recreation and environmental education programs
  • Training Support: Develop and deliver training sessions, workshops, and lesson plans for field personnel and educators
  • Partnership Coordination: Work with agencies, schools, and organizations to advance recreation and education initiatives
  • Content Development: Create educational materials, virtual programs, and informational resources for public use
  • Program Evaluation: Assess program effectiveness, review reports, and recommend improvements to statewide initiatives
  • Technical Guidance: Provide expert assistance, interpret policies, and support field staff with program needs

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
  • Full-time employment
  • Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
  • Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, 5 days in a 10 day pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
  • Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
  • You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
  • One year of experience as a Natural Resource Program Specialist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
  • Three years of professional experience in natural resource management or natural resource education; and a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, parks and recreation, education, biology, forestry, ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field; or
  • An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:
  • This particular position also requires possession of a valid Class C driver's license that is not under suspension.
  • You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
  • You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:
  • This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
    • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.


How to Apply:
  • Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
  • If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
  • Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
  • Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
  • All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.


Veterans:
  • Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.


Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
  • 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).


If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

  • Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
  • Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
  • Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
  • You must provide complete and accurate information or:
    • your score may be lower than deserved.
    • you may be disqualified.
  • You may only apply/test once for this posting.
  • Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01

Additional Requirement - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?
  • Yes
  • No

02

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide the issuing state, license number, and expiration date. If you answered "No" type N/A in the box.
03

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Natural Resource Program Specialist 1 (Natural Resource Specialist) for one or more years full-time?
  • Yes
  • No

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05

How many years of full-time professional experience do you possess in natural resource management?
  • 3 years or more
  • 2 but less than 3 years
  • 1 but less than 2 years
  • Less than 1 year
  • None

06

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
07

How many years of full-time professional experience do you possess in natural resource education?
  • 3 years or more
  • 2 but less than 3 years
  • 1 but less than 2 years
  • Less than 1 year
  • None

08

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
09

How much graduate coursework have you completed in natural resource management, parks and recreation, education, biology, forestry, ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.
  • 30 credits or more
  • 15 but less than 30 credits
  • Less than 15 credits
  • None

10

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, inclu

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