Park Ranger

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, assists with the planning, development, and maintenance of District lands; performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the enforcement of District land use regulations and applicable laws to ensure safe and efficient access for the public and staff; performs a variety of work in the construction, modification, maintenance, restoration, and repair of District lands and facilities; responds to requests and inquiries from the public and provides visitor information as necessary; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Supervising Ranger. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May provide technical and functional direction to assigned part-time staff, inmate crews, and/or volunteers.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey-level class in the ranger class series that performs the full range of duties required to ensure that the District’s properties and facilities are maintained in a safe and effective working condition and provide the highest level of safety for public use.  Responsibilities include patrolling assigned areas in a timely manner and enforcement of District regulations and State and local laws, as well as performing a wide variety of maintenance and construction tasks of assigned properties and facilities.  Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the department.  This class is distinguished from the Supervising Ranger in that the latter is the full supervisory-level class and has responsibility for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of all staff involved in District patrol and enforcement activities.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans and coordinates a variety of construction, maintenance, restoration, and repair activities of District properties and related facilities to ensure safe and efficient access for the public and staff; provides site assessment and evaluation of costs, materials, and time; coordinates activities with outside contractors and consultants, and reviews ongoing work as assigned.
• Performs park, trail, and road maintenance and construction duties including trail brushing, clearing downed trees, mowing, and erosion control; performs facilities and structure construction and maintenance, including semi-skilled carpentry, painting, electrical, and plumbing tasks, and general custodial duties; maintains and constructs drainage systems, trail bridges, culverts, fences, gates, and signs.
• Patrols an assigned area by vehicle or foot to ensure safe and proper use of District lands and facilities, monitors boundaries for encroachments, observes situations, reports, and investigates suspicious criminal activity or hazardous conditions, and deters crime by maintaining a highly visible presence.
• Provides public relations and interpretive services, including providing information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; taking reports and assisting the public with complaints or unusual situations; explaining District and preserve history, programs, and projects; and making presentations and providing tours of lands and facilities as requested.
• Enforces District regulations and pertinent local, State, and Federal regulations as authorized; issues verbal warnings and/or citations as necessary; makes arrests in accordance with District policy; secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence; performs investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support; prepares court cases and testifies in court as required.
• Performs resource management tasks, including identifying, removing, and spraying non-native invasive plants, pest control, identifying habitat concerns, and participating in data collection projects as assigned; provides information to resource management staff as needed.
• Responds to emergency medical incidents, search and rescue, and other emergency calls; notifies appropriate medical, law enforcement, and/or fire response agencies; assumes incident command; assesses and secures accident scenes; provides traffic and crowd control; provides first responder emergency medical attention.
• Responds to wildland and structural fires and performs fire suppression duties; participates in fire control and safety projects including identifying and removing potential fire hazards and participating in controlled burns; drives brush patrol and operates specialized firefighting equipment and tools.
• Operates and maintains a variety of vehicles, tools, and equipment such as, patrol vehicles, power saws, drills, brush cutters, mowing tractors, all-terrain vehicles, and various tools required for enforcement, patrol, construction, and maintenance duties performed.
• Assists with the preparation and implementation of the Operations and Maintenance Division annual budget; submits proposed goals, objectives, and budget recommendations; forecasts additional funds needed for equipment, materials, and supplies and recommends adjustments, as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Oversees volunteers, seasonal workers, and/or other groups on assigned projects; inspects work to ensure quality control, proper use of equipment, and safety of participants.
• Maintains accurate logs, reports, and records of work performed and materials and equipment used.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Maintenance principles, practices, tools, and equipment for maintaining and repairing open spaces, parks, and related facilities.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of park law enforcement, emergency medical response, fire suppression and prevention, and search and rescue.
• Basic principles and practices of resource management, including weed management and habitat restoration.
• Basic methods and techniques of emergency response and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools and light equipment.
• Operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions.
• Local flora, fauna, cultural, and geological resources and methods and techniques of wild land resource protection and restoration.
• Applicable local, State, and Federal laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment, and basic computer applications.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, retention, and reporting.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively dealing with individuals of various ages, various socio-economic and ethnic groups, and effectively representing the District in contacts with the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and District staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of construction, modification, maintenance, and repair work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and enforce complex District, local, State, and Federal codes, and regulations.
• Perform various emergency medical aid, fire suppression, search and rescue, and other emergency response and prevention activities.
• Manage medical emergencies and injuries in a calm, effective, and confidential manner, including providing first aid and CPR.
• Safely and effectively use and operate emergency rescue equipment, patrol vehicles, hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and light equipment required for the work; perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Read, interpret, and apply technical information from maps, manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics.
• Learn District lands and boundaries.
• Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written reports of work performed.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone or radio, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, confidentiality, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in parks and recreation, law enforcement, resource management, natural sciences, or a related field and three (3) years of experience as a Park Maintenance Aide or three (3) years of recent experience in the protection, operation, or maintenance of a park, forest, public recreation area, or the equivalent. 

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of beginning employment with Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, a valid California driver license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of beginning employment with Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, a valid Professional Rescuer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of beginning employment with Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, a valid California Penal Code 832 certificate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects, to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work around machines, to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied emergency rescue equipment, hand and power tools, and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District sites; vision to assess emergency situations, including medical incidents, and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio.  The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to access crime scenes and to identify problems or hazards.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment.  Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites.  Employees must possess the ability to lift and carry materials and objects weighing up to 60 pounds and must possess the ability to push and pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds, with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, and poison oak.  Employees may be exposed to blood and body fluids when rendering emergency response and CPR.  May involve exposure to wild, and/or dangerous animals.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing Federal, State, local, and District laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Must be willing to work weekends, nights, holidays, or extended shifts or be called back in emergency situations and work with exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to dangerous situations and violent individuals.  Must wear prescribed District uniform, adhere to strict safety procedures, and work habits.  Depending on the exposure, employees are required to wear head, hearing, eye, foot, face, hand, and full protection equipment.