The Department of Forests has opened applications for the recruitment of 16 park rangers to staff the Akamas National Forest Park, strengthening on-site supervision and enforcement. The positions aim to enhance protection of the park, improve visitor management, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation on land and at sea.
Call for applications and positions available
The Department of Forests is accepting applications until 27 February for sixteen permanent hourly-paid positions at salary scale E5, for the occupation of park ranger at the Akamas National Forest Park.
Applications are open to both men and women. The recruitment process includes a physical fitness test and an oral interview.
Duties and mission of the park rangers
Speaking to Politis, the Director of the Department of Forests, Savvas Iezekiil, stated that the 16 park rangers will be responsible for enforcing forestry legislation, guarding the Akamas National Forest Park, guiding visitors within the park, and addressing safety-related matters.
He added that the rangers will also be tasked with enforcing legislation under the Department of Fisheries in relation to the marine area adjacent to the park.
Patrols, visitor contact, and supervision
According to Mr Iezekiil, the park rangers will operate as a team carrying out patrols and monitoring nature study trails. They will be in direct contact with visitors to the National Forest Park.
Following their recruitment, the park rangers will undergo training. They will operate under the supervision of forestry officers and follow a specific work programme.
Recruitment timeline
As stated to Politis by the Ministry of Agriculture, the recruitment process is expected to take approximately two and a half months to be completed.
Evaluation criteria
According to an announcement by the Department of Forests, each candidate will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- Physical fitness test: A minimum passing threshold is set, with a maximum acceptable completion time of 28 minutes. Candidates exceeding this time will be rejected. This criterion is scored up to 40 points.
- Level of education: Scored up to 15 points.
- Ability for rapid response to the workplace in relation to permanent residence: Scored up to 15 points.
- Oral interview performance in relation to duties: Scored up to 30 points.
Final selection process
The physical fitness test and oral interview will be conducted on a date to be announced by the Department of Forests. On the day of assessment, candidates must present their identity cards.
Based on the evaluation, the Selection Committee will prepare a list of candidates ranked by order of success. Candidates who achieve a score of 50 percent or higher will be considered successful.
Appointments will be made from the list of successful candidates in order of highest score until all positions are filled, subject to approval. A reserve list may also be created. Candidates not selected for appointment will be informed in writing or verbally by the relevant Forest District.
Required qualifications
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus or a citizen of a Member State of the European Union.
- Hold a secondary or technical school leaving certificate from a recognised institution.
- Have reached the age of 18.
- In the case of male applicants, have completed military service or have been lawfully exempted.
- Be physically able-bodied and in good physical condition, with no serious health issues.
- Demonstrate integrity of character.
- Have no conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude.
- Not have been dismissed for disciplinary reasons or had their service terminated from the Public Service or a Public Law Body, including Local Authorities.
- Hold a valid driving licence of at least category B, for vehicles with a maximum mass of up to 3,500 kg and up to eight passengers.
- Demonstrated very good knowledge of the Greek language, for citizens of EU Member States.
- Demonstrated good knowledge of the English language.
- Hold a clean criminal record, with submission of a Clean Criminal Record certificate upon application.
Application forms
Application forms can be obtained from the website of the Department of Forests or from local Forest Stations of the Paphos Forest District.