Chief Park Ranger/Supervising Park Ranger (Cascade) - Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services

Job Description:

Chief Park Ranger/Supervising Park Ranger (Cascade) - Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services

Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. Activate SJ, PRNS’ latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving places where people live, work, play, and learn, which include 48 community centers, 10 regional parks, 200 plus neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 290 playgrounds and almost over 60 miles of trails, programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit activatesj.org.

San José Park Rangers work to ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere in City parks. Today’s Program reflects the generalist service model that includes and reinforces the importance of all aspects of the Park Ranger Program’s mission. As generalists, Park Rangers serve as stewards of the park system, providing public safety services (wildfire suppression, medical response, search and rescue, and rules enforcement), protecting and preserving natural and cultural resources, and inspiring future generations to love and nurture nature. Park Rangers provide crucial maintenance and restorative work on natural and historical elements within City parks and offer nature-based programming for individuals of all ages and abilities to inspire a love for the outdoors and encourage access to the City’s parks system. They educate and enforce state and local laws and enforce park rules so that park visitors can enjoy their visit, aiming to resolve situations with the lowest appropriate level of enforcement. Park Rangers are often first on scene for medical, fire and other emergencies in the parks they oversee.

Position Duties

At present, the Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department has onevacant Chief Park Ranger and one vacant Supervising Park Ranger position for which the City is recruiting to fill. If you are interested in being considered for employment in one of these classifications, please apply to this job announcement to ensure you are considered for current and future opportunities.

Salary Information

The salary range for the Chief Park Ranger classification is: $137,613.84 - $167,709.36.

The salary range for the Supervising Park Ranger classification is $108,522.96 - $132,241.20.

The salary ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Chief Park Ranger Class Summary

Under general direction, is responsible for overseeing, directing, and participating in all activities of the park ranger program, including short- and long-term planning, development, and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services; coordinating activities of the park ranger program with other departments and outside agencies; and providing assistance to the Division Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. The incumbent also serves as the department's Chief Public Safety Officer and has full responsibility for the department's response to wildland fire services, emergency medical services, search and rescue services, as well as law enforcement services. The incumbent is also responsible for all visitor services and interpretive programs for the Park Ranger program. Performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a single position class reporting to a Division Manager and is primarily responsible for assisting with the administrative and technical field duties; providing information on park rangers and park activities to other departments, agencies, the media and the public; and serving as liaison to stakeholders, committees, and interest groups. Incumbents in this class are designated peace officers and exercise direct and indirect supervision over lower level supervisory, technical, operational, and/or clerical staff. The Chief Park Ranger is distinguished from the Division Manager, in that the Division Manager oversees multiple operational or core service functions of a department and the developing and implementing of division policies, objectives, and priorities. This class is further distinguished from the lower class of Supervising Park Ranger in that the Supervising Park Ranger class is responsible for day-to-day supervision of staff whereas the Chief Park Ranger is responsible for a broader range of management activities.

Incumbents are required to conform to departmental uniform standards and must be willing to work weekends, holidays, or other irregular hours.

Supervising Park Class Summary

Under the direction of the Chief Park Ranger, Supervising Park Rangers are responsible for overseeing one of two ranger program teams; each at opposite end of the week. Supervising Park Rangers conduct both administrative and field supervision work, which includes overseeing Field Training programs, evaluating training needs and preparing implementation plans as necessary. Additionally, the Supervising Park Rangers oversees staff engaged in park, trail, and facility patrol, protection, interpretive or enforcement activities, ensuring compliance with park rules and regulations and are responsible for the safety of both subordinate personnel and park visitors.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Supervising Park Ranger is the third level of the Park Ranger series responsible for providing direct supervision over assigned staff, and for ensuring the work performed meets the City’s and mandated standards and specifications. Incumbents regularly work on tasks that are varied, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in this classification rely on experience and judgment to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the assigned program area. This class is distinguished from the Senior Park Ranger in that the Supervising Park Ranger is responsible for serving in a full supervisory capacity, whereas Senior Park Ranger primarily provides lead direction to Park Rangers. This class differs from Chief Park Ranger in that the latter has full management responsibility of ranger program administration and policy setting.

Minimum Qualifications

Chief Park Ranger

Education: Completion of 60 semester units/90 quarter units from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Six (6) years of experience as a park ranger or similar classification, including three (3) years of supervisory or lead experience over an assigned park ranger or similar program with multiple service delivery locations.

Acceptable Substitutions:

Veterans and active military personnel may substitute the education requirement if they:

• Have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard AND
• Have completed four (4) years of active military duty AND
• Have received an honorable discharge from the United States Military.

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in parks and/or recreation management or a related field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience. There is no substitution for the three (3) years of supervisory or lead experience over an assigned park ranger or similar program with multiple service delivery locations.

Required Licensing:

• Possession of valid Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certifications.
• Deputization as a Peace Officer.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California.

Supervising Park Ranger

Education: Two (2) years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university. This is equivalent to at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units. Veterans and active military personnel may substitute this requirement if they:

• Have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard AND
• Have completed four (4) years of active military duty AND
• Have received an honorable discharge from the United States Military.

Experience: Two (2) years of experience involving public contact and park operations work, including park patrol, protection, and enforcement.

Required Licensing:

• Possession of valid Red Cross First Aid and CPR certificates.
• Deputization as a Peace Officer.
• Possession of a valid State of California driver's license.

Form 700 Requirement: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Competencies

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and procedures of park law enforcement, fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical response, and search and rescue;
• Principles and practices for visitor services and interpretive programs in a park setting;
• Local flora, fauna, cultural, and geological resources and methods and techniques of park resource protection and restoration park lands.

Fiscal Management - Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.

Management - Evaluates priorities to ensure the 'true' top priorities are handled satisfactorily; sets clear goals for the employees and the work unit.

Political Skill - In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.

Problem Solving -Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Project Management - Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

Reliability -Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills -Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

Full-time Ranger classifications are required to be deputized as a Peace Officer and as such, must pass all parts of the Department approved Academy requirements. Failure to do so will result in termination of the position. After successfully completing the Department approved academy, the Recruit Ranger will be placed in an approximately 12 week Field Training Program and must receive a meets standards or higher to complete the program. Failure to do so will result in termination of the position and from the City.

Applicants are encouraged to verify their qualifications via one of the following tests as soon as possible (proof of passing test scores will be required before a final offer of employment is made).

Physical Ability:

California P.O.S.T. Physical Agility Test (WSTB). Pass or Fail. The WSTB includes a 99-yard obstacle course, 32-foot body drag (165 lbs.), six-foot chain-link fence climb with 25 yard sprint, and 500-yard run. Also included in the Physical Agility Test is a 1.5 mile run, which must be completed in 14 minutes or less. Results valid for one year. To register, visit: http://www.theacademy.ca.gov/tests We will not accept the WSTB from any other department/agency.

In addition to the minimum qualification listed above, candidates must pass one of the written examinations below and submit verification of their exam results before interviews:

PELLETB: Complete the California P.O.S.T. Reading & Writing Test (PELLETB). Pass Point is a T-Score total of 50 or higher. Results are valid for three years. For more information or to register go to:https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/

National Testing Network (NTN): Complete the National Testing Network Test (NTN). Pass Point scores are 65% Video, 70% Reading, and 70% Writing. Nationwide classroom and/or virtual exams available. Results are valid for three years. NTN will forward exam results to the City of San José. For more information or to register go to: https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/ntn-test-law-national.cfm

Applicants deemed the most qualified after application screening, oral interviews, and/or practical/written exercise will be required to pass a background investigation, polygraph evaluation, medical and psychological examinations, and fingerprint clearance prior to appointment.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ginger Quijano at Ginger.Quijano@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 5/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$108,522.96 - $167,709.36 Annually