Chief Park Ranger

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sacramento seeks an experienced Chief Park Ranger to lead the Park Ranger Division within the Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment. This role oversees 14 full-time employees and enforces park-related regulations across 243 parks and 4,360 acres.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in parks/public-lands law enforcement, strategic planning, and staff development. Applicants must pass extensive background checks and meet POST/certification requirements.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience supervising personnel performing ranger activities in a public recreation park or related setting.
• Experience in law enforcement within a parks/public-lands environment is preferred.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and enforce city ordinances, government codes, and state laws with fairness and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, coordinate, administer, and direct the work of the Park Ranger Division.
• Develop field-training and mentoring programs for staff.
• Oversee investigations of staff complaints and issue corrective actions as needed.
• Prepare annual budgets, monitor expenditures, and prepare reports for leadership and boards.
• Collaborate with internal departments and partner agencies to coordinate programs.

Skills

Public safety leadership

Team development

Enforcement experience

Policy interpretation

Job description

THIS POSTING WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Application cut-off dates are weekly, every Thursday

Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.

The City of Sacramento is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Park Ranger to lead the Park Ranger Division within the Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment. This position oversees 14 full-time employees, provides oversight for division operations, including enforcement of municipal code, to ensure the safe and lawful use of the City's 243 parks, parkways, bike trails, and open space areas spanning over 4,360 acres.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate for the Chief Park Ranger is an experienced, forward-thinking public safety leader who is committed to protecting parks, natural resources, and the well-being of the community. They bring a strong background in law enforcement within a parks or public-lands environment and have demonstrated success managing and developing diverse teams. This individual excels at strategic planning, operational management, and building effective field-training and mentoring programs. They possess exceptional judgment and the ability to interpret, apply, and enforce city ordinances, government codes, and state laws with fairness, consistency, and professionalism. The ideal candidate is a collaborative problem-solver who builds strong relationships with internal departments, community groups, and partner agencies. They are skilled at evaluating service delivery methods, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing systems that enhance efficiency and impact.

The purpose of this position is to manage, supervise, plan, organize, and coordinate the activities and services of the Park Ranger Division.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Chief Park Ranger is a single-position management-level classification and designated Peace Officer. The incumbent is responsible for the management, supervision, planning, administering the day-to-day operations of the Park Ranger Division to enforce the application of city ordinances, government codes, and state law related to the use of parks and public facilities of the city.

This classification is distinguished from the next lower-level classification of Park Ranger Supervisor in that the latter is responsible for day-to-day supervision, training, and assigning work of personnel whereas the former is responsible for a broader range of management activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Limited supervision is provided by the Assistant Director, or other higher-level personnel. Directly and indirectly supervise lower-level supervisory and technical personnel.

• Plan, organize, coordinate, administer, and direct the work and development of the Park Ranger Division.
• Develop field-training and mentoring programs.
• Oversee the investigation of staff complaints, complete the preparation and processing of appropriate corrective orders and acts.
• Manage the development and implementation of long-range goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs.
• Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures. Develop and implement systems to enhance efficiency and evaluate impact.
• Ensure compliance of division activities to pertinent codes, regulations, and guidelines. Work closely with public and private organizations or individuals to explain or coordinate proposed programs.
• Manage the preparation of annual budgets, prepare recommendations for budget requests, and authorize and monitor expenditures.
• Prepare or review reports for the Director, Council, boards, commissions and other organizations.
• Serve on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees. Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Perform related work of a similar nature and level assigned.

Education: None Experience: Five (5) years of experience supervising personnel performing ranger activities in a public recreational park or historical area, law enforcement work, or investigative work.

OR

Five (5) years of supervisory experience in a position involving field investigations in code, ordinance, or regulation violations.

Substitution of Experience:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, park administration, recreation administration, natural resource management, or a closely related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

OR

An associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, park administration, recreation administration, natural resource management, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment.

Certification

• Possession of a State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Penal Code 832A Certificate is required at the time of appointment.
• Possession of an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certificate is required at the time of appointment.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

Felony Convictions

Free of felony convictions (California Government Code 1029).

Background

Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, and drug use history.

Medical/Drug Test

Must pass a medical examination and drug test.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work conditions: Incumbent may be required to work irregular hours, including days, evenings, weekends and holidays.

Environmental Conditions: May work outside in various types of weather.

Physical Conditions: Walking, running, standing or climbing on slippery, even or uneven, paved or unpaved surfaces, may carry heavy objects up to 50 lbs.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Not applicable. This is an exempt from civil service, at-will classification and does not serve a probationary period.