Jobs

Work for Park Police

Officer Opportunities

The application process consists of the following:

*Not required for approved lateral candidates.

Job preview

A variety of assignments are available for Maryland-National Capital Park Police Officers. Our highly-visible patrol Unit polices the 37,000 acres of parkland 24 hours a day by car, foot, ATV, or bicycle. Our Special Operations Section Officers are cross-trained in horse-mounted, motorcycle, and marine patrols. The Special Services section interacts with the community through such programs as safety preservations, events, the Volunteer Program, etc. The Investigative Services section provides undercover and intelligence services.

If you’re not sure you’d like a career in law enforcement, come Ride-Along with us and see. Whatever your interests are, we hope you will consider joining the ranks of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police.

Salary and benefits

Starting salary for Police Officer Candidates is $54,620. The non-competitive officer salary range is up to $94,716. Holiday work is paid at 2.5 times the rate of pay. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times. Court compensation is paid at a minimum of 3 hours of overtime or compensatory time. The shift differential is $1.80 an hour for evening work and $2.60 an hour for the midnight shift. Officers are given a uniform allowance. A full uniform is issued at the time of appointment.

Benefits include a variety of health insurance plans, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability. Tuition assistance is available for those seeking college degrees. Annual leave is 120 hours per year for personnel with one to three years of service; 160 hours per year for four to 14 years of service; and 208 hours per year for 15 plus years of service. Three days of personal leave are granted per year after a 12-month waiting period. 120 hours of sick leave is accrued per year. Retirement is paid at 60% of pay with 25 years of credited service. The annual cost of living increases are given as the budget allows. Multi-lingual pay is available for officers who are proficient in other languages (subject to testing). Take-home vehicles are available for off-duty use subject to Division rules and regulations.

Qualifications

Applications are being accepted for both entry-level and lateral positions. To qualify to be a Park Police Officer Candidate, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be at least 21 years of age as of the first day of employment
• Have a High School Diploma or GED
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Have excellent mental and physical health
• Have an excellent moral character

Training and career development

A well-trained workforce is a priority for our agency. Our officers are certified in firearms three times a year. In-service training on recent trends and techniques is held twice a year. Training on motorcycles, horses, search and rescue, etc. is available to qualified officers. New officers participate in an extensive three to four month field training program. Officers are encouraged to seek out other training opportunities to refine their skills or learn new ones. Tuition assistance is also available.

Entry-level officers (Privates – PO2s) are eligible for promotion to Private First Class (PO3) after 36 months upon successful completion of a comprehensive test. For promotion from Private First Class to Corporal (PO4), an officer must pass the P4 test and have 18 months’ time in grade at the Private First Class level. The next level is Sergeant and promotion is based on competitive testing, time in grade of 24 months at the Corporal level, and position availability. Promotion to Lieutenant and Captain (Assistant Chief) is based on competitive testing, position availability, and selection by the Chief.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and encourage minorities and females to apply.

Civilian Opportunities

Job preview

Positions in our Communications Section are available for civilians interested in joining our team. Using state-of-the-art equipment, Communication Technicians work with the community and Officers to keep Montgomery County Parks safe. Communication Technicians work in a fast-paced environment and must be able to multi-task to provide Montgomery County Citizens with the highest level of service.

Civilian salary and benefits

The salary range for Communication Technicians is $33,937 – $60,101, based on experience. Holiday work is paid at 2.5 times the rate of pay. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times. The shift differential is $1.45 an hour for evening work and $1.60 an hour for the midnight shift. Uniforms are issued in accordance with the bargaining unit agreement.

Benefits include a variety of health insurance plans, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability. Tuition assistance is available for those seeking college degrees. Communication Technicians earn 120 hours annual and 120 hours of sick leave each year plus three personal days (after a 12-month waiting period). Ten holidays a year are observed. There is a defined retirement benefit plan for eligible employees.

Civilian Qualifications

Applications are being accepted for Communication Technicians. To qualify to be a Park Police Communication Technician, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a High School Diploma or GED
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Have excellent mental and physical health
• Have an excellent moral character

The application process consists of the following:

• Typing Test
• Critical Dispatcher Screening Test
• An Oral Review Board (Interview)
• A Thorough Background Investigation
• Job Offer (if the above is satisfactory and you are selected to fill the position)
• Employee Orientation
• On-the-Job Training
• One Year Probationary Period

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and encourage minorities and females to apply.