DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  Work involves responsibility for providing information and leadership to park patrons in a manner which encourages greater public safety, enjoyment and compliance with park rules and regulations. Park Ranger duties involve high public visibility and providing assistance to the general public in the use of County Park Facilities. Work is performed under direct supervision of a Park Superintendent. Supervision may be provided over the work of a number of seasonal and/or hourly employees who patrol various sites within the Parks system. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Provides the public with general information on park activities, services and facilities;
• Promotes proper use and enjoyment of parks through persuading compliance with park rules and regulations;
• Promotes safe park use by observing and reporting unusual or illegal incidents, directing traffic, crowd control at special events, reporting hazardous conditions, assisting lost persons, making security inspections of buildings and grounds, etc.:
• Assists in administration of first aid and contact of emergency personnel in case of accidents;
• Assists in public safety by removal of potentially unsafe conditions through maintenance effort;
• Assists in park maintenance efforts;
• Assists in other park operations;
• Assists in the conduct of interpretive tours;
• May direct the work of seasonal and/or hourly employees who patrol various sites within the Parks system to ensure safe use of Park facilities by patrons;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONNEL CHARACTERISTICS:  Good knowledge of rules and regulations relating to park facilities; good knowledge of basic law enforcement methods and techniques; working knowledge of first aid procedures; working knowledge of environmental and natural resources, their conservation and protection; ability to provide leadership and interact positively with the public; ability to present and/or conduct park-related programs for a variety of age groups; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions; ability to act quickly and calmly in emergencies; ability to direct the work of seasonal employees; ability to prepare written reports; resourcefulness; initiative; integrity; dependability; tact and courtesy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:     Either

1. Associates degree or completion of two (2) years of post secondary level education in environmental studies, recreation, natural sciences or related field and two (2) years of experience involving recreation leadership, first aid and rescue operations, enforcement of laws or rules, environmental maintenance or administration, or related experience; or
2. Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and four (4) years of experience involving recreation leadership, first aid and rescue operations, enforcement of laws or rules, environmental maintenance or administration, or related experience; or
3. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in a) and b) above.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SUBSTITUTION NOTE: Military service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America may be substituted for the above-described education and/or experience on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid, unrestricted, appropriate level driver’s license appropriate to the type of motor equipment being operated, and acceptable driving record, are required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

7/00; 2/09; 7/12; 10/24

Competitive Class