Job description
Position Information
Expand
Your Park Ranger career with the County of Sonoma and
join the Regional Parks family as a Park Ranger I. Multiple positions available!
Starting salary at $26.05/hour ($54,369/year), a cash allowance of $600/month, and a competitive total compensation package!*
Assigned to various locations, Park Rangers are peace officers who serve our campgrounds, playgrounds, sports fields, trails, wild landscapes and communities to provide an exceptional park experience.
As a Park Ranger I, you are responsible for patrolling parks and enforcing the rules, regulations, laws, and ordinances governing county regional park activities and providing basic first aide when needed. You will also assist and engage with the public in the use of the parks and recreational facilities by answering questions, addressing complaints, collecting fees, and providing educational information regarding the responsible stewardship of our irreplaceable natural and cultural resources. Additionally, park operations management and minor maintenance responsibilities require Park Rangers to complete unskilled and semi-skilled maintenance and repair tasks.
The ideal candidates will have a passion to preserve, protect, and provide access to Sonoma County's parks and possess:
- Proven visitor services skills, with the aptitude and patience to tactfully respond to the public's questions, concerns, and complaints
- Excellent judgment, with a common sense approach to resolving issues
- A strong work ethic and the ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively
- A positive attitude and desire to be part of a working operations team
- 290 hours basic law enforcement training certified by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior as qualifying for employment in the National Park Service or equivalent and
- A P.C. 832 course or equivalent police academy and
- First Responder or Emergency Response certification, and
- Possess a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) Card?
If you answered, "Yes" to all apply to join our team!
What We Offer
When you join the County of Sonoma, you become part of a challenging and rewarding work environment where you gain the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better your community. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association (SCLEA) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and in our Employee Benefits directory.
Individuals newly hired or re-appointed into this job classification shall serve a probationary period of one year, wear a uniform, and may be assigned work during weekends, holidays, and irregular hours. Park Rangers may be assigned to any division or location within the Regional Parks system and may have the opportunity to live at a park, in county-provided housing, at low monthly rates. However, there is no guarantee that housing will be provided for any assignment.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple Park Ranger I positions in the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment .
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: The ability to read and write English and make basic arithmetic calculations at a level for successful job performance is required, as is recent academic course work which directly relates to the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this course work would be in the fields of park management, forestry, natural resources or closely related field.
Experience: Any combination of experience which directly relates to the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of entry-level experience in park management or operations, or two years of experience as a park maintenance worker which included training in park operations, would provide such opportunity.
Special Qualifications: Requires certificate of successful completion of the 290-hour basic law enforcement training certified by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior as qualifying for employment in the National Park Service and other federal agencies or equivalent and a P.C. 832 course, or equivalent police academy; also requires a current and valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care Card, and a current First Responder or Emergency Response certificate. Prior to the expiration of the probationary period, incumbents must also acquire a valid Emergency Medical Technician Basic certificate, and successfully complete required training in the use of a baton and pepper spray.
License: Possession of a valid California driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Background Requirement: Incumbents shall not have been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, or of any offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state, nor be under current formal probation supervision.
CANDIDATES CERTIFIED FOR EMPLOYMENT MUST BE WILLING TO UNDERGO AN IN-DEPTH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING A PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION, CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK, AND A MEDICAL EXAMINATION.
Citizenship Requirement: Permanent resident aliens who wish to be employed as peace officers must apply for citizenship at least one year before application for such employment. If a permanent resident alien has not obtained citizenship within three years after application for employment or is denied citizenship he or she shall be disqualified for peace officer status.
Experience: Any combination of experience which directly relates to the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of entry-level experience in park management or operations, or two years of experience as a park maintenance worker which included training in park operations, would provide such opportunity.
Special Qualifications: Requires certificate of successful completion of the 290-hour basic law enforcement training certified by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior as qualifying for employment in the National Park Service and other federal agencies or equivalent and a P.C. 832 course, or equivalent police academy; also requires a current and valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care Card, and a current First Responder or Emergency Response certificate. Prior to the expiration of the probationary period, incumbents must also acquire a valid Emergency Medical Technician Basic certificate, and successfully complete required training in the use of a baton and pepper spray.
License: Possession of a valid California driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Background Requirement: Incumbents shall not have been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, or of any offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state, nor be under current formal probation supervision.
CANDIDATES CERTIFIED FOR EMPLOYMENT MUST BE WILLING TO UNDERGO AN IN-DEPTH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING A PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION, CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK, AND A MEDICAL EXAMINATION.
Citizenship Requirement: Permanent resident aliens who wish to be employed as peace officers must apply for citizenship at least one year before application for such employment. If a permanent resident alien has not obtained citizenship within three years after application for employment or is denied citizenship he or she shall be disqualified for peace officer status.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of: park management, practices and operations, horticulture, forestry and natural resources; general principles of park administration, such as fee collection, park patrol, park law enforcement, and park interpretation; of county park rules, and state regulations, laws and ordinances; State Fish and Game rules, regulations and laws; hand tools, work aides, power tools and light machines used in carpentry, plumbing, electrical and related work.
Knowledge of: county park features and natural resources; effective principles and practices of personnel supervision and training; first aid and techniques and practices, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation; modern monetary and statistical record keeping.
Ability to: deal effectively and tactfully with the public and county employees; follow written and oral instructions; perform arithmetic calculations involving United States monetary units and other basic arithmetic calculations; tactfully enforce park rules, regulations, laws and ordinances, and to issue written citations and violations; perform general building and unskilled maintenance and repair tasks with hand tools, work aides and light machines; develop semi-skilled working skills in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work; comply with common safety practices and procedures; detect safety hazards within a park area and take corrective action; learn and apply EMT Basic level first aid to park visitors; speak effectively before groups and audiences; train, schedule, assign and supervise subordinate personnel; perform moderately heavy physical labor; safely drive and operate light motorized vehicles; work during weekdays, holidays, and shift hours, and to wear a uniform.
Knowledge of: county park features and natural resources; effective principles and practices of personnel supervision and training; first aid and techniques and practices, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation; modern monetary and statistical record keeping.
Ability to: deal effectively and tactfully with the public and county employees; follow written and oral instructions; perform arithmetic calculations involving United States monetary units and other basic arithmetic calculations; tactfully enforce park rules, regulations, laws and ordinances, and to issue written citations and violations; perform general building and unskilled maintenance and repair tasks with hand tools, work aides and light machines; develop semi-skilled working skills in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work; comply with common safety practices and procedures; detect safety hazards within a park area and take corrective action; learn and apply EMT Basic level first aid to park visitors; speak effectively before groups and audiences; train, schedule, assign and supervise subordinate personnel; perform moderately heavy physical labor; safely drive and operate light motorized vehicles; work during weekdays, holidays, and shift hours, and to wear a uniform.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: JT
HR Tech: RR
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