Park and Trail Specialist

Pinal County; Florence (AZ); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinal County is seeking a Park and Trail Specialist to deliver excellent visitor service and protect natural resources across county parks and trails. You will help with maintenance, safety inspections, and program support, contributing to a welcoming outdoor experience for residents and visitors.

The role emphasizes public-facing work, basic trail upkeep, equipment operation, and volunteer collaboration. A related undergraduate background or equivalent experience is preferred, along with a

Qualifications

• One year of undergraduate coursework in outdoor recreation, environment, parks and recreation, natural resources or related field.
• One year of experience in a position requiring direct, in person contact with the general public as a primary job duty.
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may substitute for the minimum requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide Customer Service that exceeds our client expectations.
• Monitor parks and trails to ensure compliance with rules and regulations to safeguard park visitors, property and natural/cultural resources.
• Provide vegetation management to include fire fuel removal and invasive plant removal.
• Provide traffic and parking control, as needed.
• Collaborate with volunteers to support park and trail programs, projects, and activities.
• Provide general ground maintenance to include tree trimming, trash removal and other duties as needed.
• Perform basic trail maintenance/building and trail conditions assessments.
• Inspect park structures, features, and equipment to ensure they meet safety requirements.
• Provide cash handling services regarding fee collections.
• Explain and interpret park features for visitors.
• Facilitate resource protection in the direction of management.
• Assist First-Responders, when necessary, which could include emergency operations.
• Assist with the planning, coordination, facilitation, and evaluation of ongoing indoor and outdoor programs and activities.
• Assist and work with other agencies as duties require.
• Operate various equipment and hand tools to assist in park and trail maintenance.
• Prepare, compile, and produce reports as necessary for management.
• May provide or render first aid.
• Promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Customer service

Public interaction

Vegetation management

Cash handling

First aid

Equipment operation

Report writing

Volunteer supervision

Safety awareness

Communication

Education

Undergraduate coursework in outdoor recreation/environment/parks and recreation/natural resources

Public-facing experience

Job description

Have you considered investing in your community? Pinal County is a beautiful place that needs passionate people who want to help others and make a difference in their lives. Public service is a rewarding career choice; not only does it offer a strong sense of purpose, but it also benefits you financially. We may not be the most competitive in salary, but we provide great value to our employees, including highly sought-after retirement plans, paid sabbaticals every five years, and very affordable benefit costs. In the long run, Pinal County is an excellent choice to fulfill your passion and support your retirement!

Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU. Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job. We are growing so be sure to check out all of our other opportunities as well!

• An Employer that Values Each Employee and Prioritizes a Work Experience that Provides Ample Time for Stress Reduction and Work-Life Balance.
• Paid Vacation And Sick Leave
  1. 15 Vacation Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
     • After Three (3) Years of Service, 18 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
     • After Five (5) Years of Service, 20 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
  2. 13 Sick Leave Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
• Ten Paid Holidays + One Paid Floating Holiday to Use as You Wish
• Paid Sabbaticals Every Five (5) Years
  1. Two-Week Sabbatical After Five Years of Continuous Service
  2. Three-Week Sabbatical After Ten Years of Continuous Service
  3. Four-Week Sabbatical After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
  4. Four-Week Sabbaticals Every Five Years After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
• Retirement Plans with Generous Employer Contributions - Guaranteed Lifetime Benefit!
• Variety of Top Tier Affordable Medical Plans - Six Different Medical Plans to Choose From
  1. Some Medical Plans with Zero Employee Premium Cost
• Dental and Vision Plans
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
  1. Quarterly Wellness Challenges
  2. Vision Exams and Optometry Events Onsite
  3. Vaccination Clinics
  4. Onsite Mammogram and Prostate Screening Events
  5. Skin Cancer Screening Events Onsite
  6. Biometrics and Health Screening Events Onsite
  7. Financial Health and Retirement Planning Events Onsite & Online
  8. Fitness Resources and Onsite Sessions Like Yoga and Tai Chi
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Telehealth
• Qualified Employer - Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - Department of Education
• Employee AssistanceProgram with Ongoing Training & Development Options
• Civil Service Leave
• Van Pool Options
• Short-Term Disability – Employer Paid
• Basic Life Insurance - Employer Paid
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care and Medical Expenses
• Suite of Voluntary Benefits including additional Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Cancer Insurance

Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU.

Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job.

Before you apply, watch this video to learn helpful tips for completing an application at Pinal County:

Application Tips

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, this classification exists to provide our visitors with excellent customer service and ensure the preservation and protection of Pinal County’s natural resources and physical facilities. Essential functions of this role include but are not limited to, park and trail maintenance, including vegetation management, educating visitors about park rules/amenities, and providing programming. A Park and Trail Specialist is also responsible for assisting with written reports as needed and maintaining accurate daily records and logs. Additionally, Park and Trail Specialists are responsible for developing, promoting, and improving services and programs for park users/patrons, including safe park use and proper use of natural resources.

• Provide Customer Service that exceeds our client expectations
• Monitor parks and trails to ensure compliance with rules and regulations to safeguard park visitors, property and natural/cultural resources.
• Provide vegetation management to include fire fuel removal and invasive plant removal.
• Provide traffic and parking control, as needed.
• Collaborate with volunteers to support park and trail programs, projects, and activities.
• Provide general ground maintenance to include tree trimming, trash removal and other duties as needed.
• Perform basic trail maintenance/building and trail conditions assessments.
• Inspect park structures, features, and equipment to ensure they meet safety requirements.
• Provide cash handling services regarding fee collections.
• Explain and interpret park features for visitors.
• Facilitate resource protection in the direction of management.
• Assist First-Responders, when necessary, which could include emergency operations.
• Assist with the planning, coordination, facilitation, and evaluation of ongoing indoor and outdoor programs and activities.
• Assist and work with other agencies as duties require.
• Operate various equipment and hand tools to assist in park and trail maintenance.
• Prepare, compile, and produce reports as necessary for management.
• May provide or render first aid.
• Promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• One (1) year of undergraduate course work in outdoor recreation, environment, parks and recreation, natural resources or related field.
• One (1) year of experience in a position requiring direct, in person contact with the general public as a primary job duty.
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may substitute for the minimum requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources Management, Environmental or Wildlife Management or related field.
• Arizona residents must have an Arizona Driver’s License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.

• Knowledge of Pinal County geographical areas and points of interest.
• Knowledge of park permits and other fee requirements.
• Knowledge of trail construction, building, and maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of procedures and techniques used in park resource interpretation and preservation.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of customer service and land management.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of wildlife management.
• Knowledge of basic first aid.
• Skill in operating various types of equipment in park maintenance practices to include standard tools and gas powered equipment.
• Ability to compile information for reports.
• Ability to implement park program directives.
• Ability to deliver high-level customer service while performing essential duties.
• Ability to supervise and train volunteers.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requires independent mobility to stand, walk, bend, and sit for prolonged periods and to drive a vehicle. Manual dexterity to reach and grasp; manual dexterity to handwrite or use a computer keyboard; vision sufficient to see/read; hear and speak to communicate with customers in person and over the phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed outside in an environment with exposure to inclement weather conditions, extreme temperatures, equipment noise, and natural terrain. Work may include night, weekend, and/or holiday shifts.

The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and respect for others. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process, we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration, which may impact your future Pinal County applications.

Offers of employment are valid only if provided in writing and approved by Pinal County Human Resources.

All qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States are welcome to apply.

However, visa sponsorship is not available.

Pinal County does not participate in STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT).

Pinal County requires pre-employment screening, which includes a Motor Vehicle Record check, a comprehensive background check (encompassing employment, education, and criminal history), and drug testing for safety-sensitive roles. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. Employment offers are contingent on successful pre-employment screening. If driving is a requirement of the position, you must have a valid Arizona State Driver's License in accordance with Arizona State Law.

Work in this classification requires an individual to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this description.