California State Parks Seeking Rangers and Lifeguards to “Live the Parks Life”

California State Parks invites individuals to “Live the Parks Life” as rangers and lifeguards in the nation’s largest state park system.

For more than 150 years, rangers and lifeguards have worked closely with the state’s network of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to protect visitors to California’s State Park System and surrounding communities. The rangers and lifeguards provide not only public safety law enforcement and aquatic rescue services, but they also provide public education through interpretation and protect natural and cultural resources. Their offices are located in or near beaches, deserts, lakes, historic landmarks and state vehicular recreation areas. 

The 2022 State Park Peace Officer Cadet Academy continues to operate, in person, under new COVID-19 safety guidelines. Applications for the academy opens Thursday, April 1, 2021. All interested applicants must mail an official state application by Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Successful applicants will be sent notification to attend the eight-month long Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified law enforcement academy.

The academy instruction prepares cadets physically, mentally, and emotionally to enter the workforce as a ranger or lifeguard. Cadets will learn how to assist visitors, run interpretive programs, and actively protect park resources. Training also includes how to conduct investigations, make physical arrests, use firearms, and perform emergency responses.

The entire selection process for becoming a ranger or lifeguard takes 15 to 18 months. The first step in the selection/examination process is to mail an application during the open application period. The application is used to determine if the candidate meets the minimum qualifications for admission into the examination, which consists of the POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) written exam. This exam is used to admit the candidate into the next phases of the selection process which include the Physical Agility Test (PAT), background investigation, oral interview, and the medical and psychological evaluations.

For more information on the cadet academy, minimum qualifications, frequently asked questions, and a timeline of the recruitment cycle, please visit www.LiveTheParksLife.com.