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Delaware State Parks Employment Information
Full-time, part-time, casual/seasonal positions and internships at Delaware State Parks are available and you can apply for them online today!
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About Delaware State Parks Seasonal Employment
Seasonal jobs may be available at parks throughout the state.
What kinds of jobs are offered?
A variety of positions are available in locations from the rolling hills in New Castle to the beaches in Sussex county. Summer openings typically include park patrol officers, lifeguards, naturalists, fee collectors, campground registrars and maintenance technicians. These positions provide an excellent way for individuals interested in permanent, full-time employment with the Division of Parks and Recreation to gain experience and requisite knowledge that could aid their future employment consideration.
Seasonal positions are for limited-term employment and do not provide benefits such as compensated leave and/or health insurance. Direct Deposit is a condition of employment.
Who can apply?
Seasonal job postings are open to the general public. Eligible candidates for seasonal jobs include high school students, college students, school teachers, retirees and other people who are customarily unemployed during the summer months. Minimum age for employment is 16 years old. Preference will be given to applicants who are residents of Delaware.
What are the work hours?
Seasonal employees work up to 40 hours per week depending on the position and must be available to work additional hours when needed. Many positions have work schedules that include Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. The majority of our seasonal positions are available for three-month periods from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
When should I apply?
Note that some positions have specific deadlines that will be noted in the job description. For summer positions, applications received prior to February 15 of each year will receive full consideration for that seasonal calendar year. Applications after that date will be considered only as positions become vacant, but applicants are encouraged to apply at any time. Applicants selected for employment will be notified as soon as possible.
For general information regarding seasonal employment, please contact the park where you would like to work.
For information about full-time employment, see DNREC’s employment information.
The State of Delaware is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Resources Ranger and Beach Patrol
- Delaware State Parks Natural Resources Ranger
The Delaware State Parks rangers are law enforcement officers who work to keep the public safe and protect Delaware’s natural and cultural resources. Our rangers work in some of the most beautiful locations in Delaware while enforcing public safety and promoting the mission of Delaware State Parks.
What’s it like to be a Delaware State Parks Ranger? Watch this video to find out!
About the Job
Job Responsibilities
Delaware State Parks Natural Resources Rangers are responsible for:
- Crime prevention and detection
- Public safety
- Enforcement of all Delaware criminal and traffic laws
- Responding to calls for service
- Enforcing Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control rules and regulations
- Interacting with the public to promote the Delaware State Parks mission in a variety of settings, including through public presentations, school presentations, community events, and Delaware State Parks Friends organizations.
Job Duties
Job duties for Delaware State Parks Natural Resources Rangers include:
- Implementing appropriate law enforcement action in response to complaints, traffic, and criminal, regulatory, and other activities
- Investigating suspicious and criminal activity, which includes:
- Detecting, collecting and preserving physical evidence
- Interviewing victims, witnesses, suspects and defendants
- Processing charging documents
- Executing search and arrest warrants
- Processing defendants.
- Performing vehicle and foot patrol of assigned areas
- Performing community policing through informational presentations and educational seminars for other state agencies, schools, the public, and community organizations.
- Providing protective services to state employees, visitors and the general public
- Conducting surveillances and performing undercover assignments.
- Providing assistance to other law enforcement agencies as back-up or primary response
- Taking into custody and transporting felons and prisoners.
Job Requirements
- Minumum age of 20 years and 6 months
- Associates degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Sociology or related field.
OR
- Minumum age of 20 years and 6 months
- Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Six months experience in conducting investigations, which includes conducting interviews to obtain confidential information, gathering evidence and documenting findings
- Six months experience in applying natural resources laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures
- Six months experience in narrative report writing
Benefits
- Health, dental and vision insurance Insurance
- Disability and group universal life/dependent life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Training and development programs
- Paid time off
- Flexible spending, pre-tax commuter benefits, and supplemental benefits through AFLAC
Testimonials
It is my job to keep the public safe and ensure that Delaware State Parks are places that people want to come every day where they can feel safe and have an enjoyable time. The most rewarding aspect of my job is being a K9 officer. My K9 partner, Leo, and I assist the public in many ways, which goes back to our mission of keeping the public safe while they’re in our natural resource areas. ~ Trevor Ditmore 
I decided to be an officer with the Delaware Natural Resources Police because I enjoy keeping Division lands safe for recreational use. It is my goal to keep the Division properties in Kent County as safe as possible for Delaware residents and visitors. I find my job rewarding because no two days are the same. I enjoy working outdoors and the physical component of the job. This unique work environment was an important factor in my decision to be an officer with the Delaware Natural Resources Police. ~ Dan Gobel Being a ranger is a demanding yet rewarding job. Our experienced staff will prepare you to meet every challenge. If you have any questions about Delaware State Parks Ranger positions, contact our Chief of Enforcement:
Chief Wayne Kline
Phone: (302) 739-9232
Email: Wayne.Kline@delaware.gov - Beach Patrol
About the Delaware State Beach Patrol!
The Delaware State Beach Patrol is an elite group responsible for ocean rescue and beach safety at Delaware’s award-winning state park beaches. Our beach patrol members receive advanced, nationally certified training, work in some of the most beautiful locations in the state, meet lifelong friends, compete in lifeguard competitions, and serve the people of Delaware, all while getting paid and having fun! Guarded beaches include Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park – Tower Road, Delaware Seashore State Park – South Inlet, and Fenwick Island State Park.
2024 Patrol Tryouts
Tryouts for 2024 have now concluded. Thank you to everyone who participated! For additional inquiries or questions, please reach out to Capt. Bailey Noel: Bailey.Noel@delaware.gov
Pay and Bonus Information
Pay Structure
All DSBP guards will receive base pay determined by their tenure and guarding rank, plus additional hourly pay upon achieving the following certifications. All certifications are available through Delaware State Parks.- All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV): +$0.25/hr
- Personal Watercraft (PWC): +$0.25/hr
- Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA): +$0.25/hr
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – Basic (NREMT-B): +$1.00/hr
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – Paramedic (NREMT-P): +$2.00/hr
- *Fluency in a 2nd Language (no certification): +$0.50/hr
Bonuses
- Rookie Bonus ($250): Complete rookie training and pass all required certifications to guard your first summer with DSBP
- Referral Bonus ($200 per recruit): Recruit a new guard to DSBP who successfully passes all training, and works a total of 400hrs during the season (incl. Labor Day)
- Retention Bonus ($350): Work a minimum of 51 hours between Aug. 23 – Sept. 06
- End of Season Bonus ($500): Work 12+ weekends during guarding season (*2 weekends must be Memorial Day & Labor Day)
Junior Lifeguards
Check back next year for registration for the 2025 Junior Lifeguard Program.
Annually, Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol offers a Junior Lifeguard Program for children ages 9-16 years at Cape Henlopen State Park. This fun and educational program is designed to teach the importance of water safety, surf rescue techniques, minor first aid, respect for natural resources, and to provide children with the knowledge and experience of true ocean rescuers.
See What It’s Like To Be A DBSP Lifeguard
“I joined Delaware State Beach Patrol because of my love for the beach and helping others. Getting paid to workout, tan, and guard the beach all day is the best job I could ever imagine. My favorite part of guarding for DSBP is being able to compete in lifeguard competitions throughout the summer with some of my best friends! I love how our patrol is so close and able to come together as a team. I have made some of my favorite memories working for DSBP and can’t wait to make even more this summer!” ~ Hailey 
“I joined the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol not only as a result of my lifelong love of the ocean, but also to help those in need. It is extremely rewarding using your lifesaving knowledge to make a true impact on someone’s life. In addition, the patrol is a unified group of well-skilled individuals who love what they do. This gives a great sense of community at work, and therefore I enjoy my time on the stand each and every day. The members of this patrol have my full trust at all times because they are not only my co-workers, but my friends as well.” ~ Alec 
“DSBP has given me some of the greatest memories of my life. It truly has felt like my second family from the day I started, and I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime. Not only have I been taught skills that I can carry with me anywhere, but it gave me a chance to fall in love with the beach all over again. If I could go back and do anything differently, I would have joined sooner!” ~ Kyle Testimonials from Rookie Training Week:
“This has been the most physically, emotionally, and psychologically challenging week of training that I have ever participated in. It taught me to have better confidence in myself, my friends, and in all the DSBP lifeguards. Our workouts have made me realize what I am capable of. I’m very glad I chose DSBP this summer and look forward to wearing my uniform proudly. I only have positive things to say about DSBP and the training that was included.”
“Throughout this past week, I have learned a lot about how to be a lifeguard but also to stay strong when things are rough. Rookie training was by no means easy, and I was pushed more than ever before. I have also learned a lot about being on a team and encouraging everyone else to stay strong as well. At the end of the day, it is my job to make sure that everyone makes it home safely no matter what might be going on in my personal life. While training was physically and mentally demanding, every day I went home feeling accomplished for what I had learned and the workouts I had completed.”
“These have been some of the best and worst days of my life. I’ve grown so much already and have learned so many valuable life skills and lifeguarding skills alike. You have all shown me the discipline I need in order to succeed on the stand and in life. I feel confident in my ability to protect the lives of others and I am wholly confident that I can save a life. This has been an amazing program and I consider myself lucky to be part of it. I will never forget my experience.”
Join our team!
Ocean rescue is a demanding job, and our experienced staff will prepare you to meet every challenge. If you have any questions about the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol, contact our beach patrol captain:
Bailey Noel
Phone: (302) 632-2070
Email: Bailey.Noel@delaware.gov