Become a natural resource ranger

SCRANTON — The Lackawanna College Continuing Education Department will be offering a new Conservation and Natural Resource Officer starting in January.

This one-year, dual-certificate program combines the Lackawanna College Police Academy with a 15-credit, undergraduate level, environmental semester at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, located on 211-acres of diverse habitat in Covington Township, Pa.

The program will prepare students for entry-level natural resource ranger and interpreter positions in federal, state, county, and municipal park systems. Students can also transfer their environmental courses in a two or four-year environmental studies program.

The partnership between the college and its police academy also qualifies students for law enforcement ranger positions as well as positions with municipal police departments.

The environmental curriculum focuses on the conservation and interpretation of the natural environment. Students will learn the basic principles of conservation through knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Northeastern United States. The program includes instruction in subjects such as environmental interpretation, wildlife management, freshwater ecosystems, dendrology, ornithology, and recreational use of renewable and non-renewable natural resources. Students will get both classroom and hands-on field training throughout the program.

“We believe this program will become very successful since there are very few dedicated park ranger programs that have police academy courses attached to them,” said Dean of Continuing Education Anita Cola. “Candidates with police training are better equipped for job placement than candidates without this training.”

She said many park ranger positions in the Northeast may become vacant in the coming years due to an aging population. "We want to offer a high quality program and high quality candidates to fill this need," she said.

Representatives will be available to answer questions during an open house in the main building of the Lackawanna College Scranton campus from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. Application fees will be waived to all who attend.

To register or for more information call Sharon Yanik-Craig at 570-842-1506.