PARK RANGER

Arizona State Government; Safford (AZ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, life insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Sick time

Retirement plan

Parental Leave

Wellness plans

Job summary

Arizona State Parks and Trails is seeking a Park Ranger at Roper Lake State Park in Safford, AZ. Under general supervision, you will operate and maintain park facilities, interpret natural and historic features for visitors, and enforce park rules to ensure public safety.

This role requires evening, weekend, and holiday availability, a valid AZ driver's license, and the ability to work outdoors in heat or cold.

Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain a current Arizona Driver's license.
• Some positions may require certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, Electrician, and/or Wastewater Treatment Operator.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the E-Verify program.

Responsibilities

• Hosts visitors and conducts interpretive programs; may lead guided walks or hikes.
• Responds to public inquiries about park hours, reservations, and events (camping, ramadas, weddings).
• Performs cashier duties at the Contact Station/Gift Shop; processes park fees and store purchases.
• Promotes public and staff safety; enforces park rules and maintains incident reports.
• Maintains park facilities (campgrounds, restrooms, trails) and supports maintenance tasks with inmate crews.

Skills

Effective communication

Public speaking

Customer service

Critical thinking

Training program development

Supervisory skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Park Management/Forestry/Natural Resources Management

Job description

ARIZONA STATE PARKS AND TRAILS

Connecting people with the outdoors and history of Arizona to build a lifetime of memories.
Arizona State Parks and Trails is the leader in sustainable outdoor recreation for current and future generations.
To learn more about Arizona State Parks and Trails, visit our web site at azstateparks.com.
Arizona State Parks and Trails protect and preserves more than 30 state parks and natural areas. The agency also includes the statewide trails program, outdoor-related grants program, the State Historic Preservation Office, as well as the Off-Highway Vehicle Program, and more. With parks located across the state, the agency strives to make outdoor recreation accessible and available to everyone.

PARK RANGER
ROPER LAKE STATE PARK
*must be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays*

Job Location:

Address: 101 East Roper Lake Road, Safford, AZ

Posting Details:

Salary: $17.50 - $19.00 / per hour

Grade: 16

Closing Date: September 16, 2026

Job Summary:

Under general supervision, preforms a variety of skilled work activities in the operation and maintenance of a recreational, historic or natural resource park; interprets natural features of the area, or historic objects /artifacts for visitors; and insures public safety by enforcing Park rules and regulations.

Job Duties:

Outdoor Recreation & Programmatic - Hosts visitors; conducts interpretive programs and may lead guided walks or hikes; Communicates information in response to visitor questions, direction, guidance, and concern. Assists with recreation infrastructure and activities.

Customer Service - Provides customer service by phone and in-person and respond to publics inquires about park hours, gatehouse duties, accommodations, reservations to include camping, ramadas, group use, and weddings.

Cash Handling - Perform cashier duties at Contact Station/Gift Shop; collect and account for fees for park admission and store purchases.

Public & Staff Safety - Promote the safety of park visitors and enforces Park rules and protect Park resources; Utilizes two-way radio communications system; Confers with local officials and law enforcement officers; Completes all necessary reports concerning incidents.

Maintenance - Maintains campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, and/or other recreational site, to include litter removal, small engine maintenance, water maintenance to include cattail cutting, hauling debris, working with and supervision of on-site inmate crews. Maintains all restrooms in clean, sanitary conditions. Sweep and mop floors. Restock towels, toilet paper, soap dispensers.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
Outdoor recreation and park management, outdoor/environmental and/or history/archaeology education. Principles and processes for providing customer service satisfaction, safety, security, sanitation, operation maintenance, and public relations procedures and practices. Park rules, department policies, facility operational standards, and emergency response procedures. First Responder Training, EMS or First Aid training or equivalent experience. Knowledge of fees and revenue functions, general office procedures and outdoor parks and recreation. May require knowledge of Arizona Revised Statutes and law enforcement techniques.

Work schedule will consist of mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays, which may include working in extreme heat & cold, wind and/or rain.

Skill in:

• Effective communication both written and verbal, active listening.
• Skill in public speaking both in a lecture setting and impromptu.
• Skill in customer service satisfaction, critical thinking, and issue resolution techniques to deescalate upset or non-compliant visitors.
• Park Ranger Senior only: Skill in the development of training and education programs involving parks safety training or other related programs.
• May require supervisory skills relevant to supervising employees and volunteers and special assignment personnel.

Ability to:

• Work unsupervised in a constantly changing and dynamic environment.
• Ability to work and collaborate with coworkers to produce innovative concepts and resolve issues in a way that promotes a positive healthy workplace culture.
• The ability to develop, modify, maintain and manage special assigned programs, projects and or duties specific to operation of the park and the park goals.
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of customers visiting the facility and successfully meeting their needs.
• Park Ranger Senior only: The ability to display non-supervisory leadership to other team members and Department personnel.

Selective Preference(s):

Two years of experience equivalent to a Park Ranger Specialist , OR three years of work experience in customer service, library or museum work; OR a Bachelor’s degree in Park Management, Forestry , Natural Resources Management, or a closely related field. Any combination of training and experience that meet knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted .

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Must possess and maintain a current Arizona Driver's license appropriate to assignment.

Some positions may require certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, Electrician, and/or Wastewater Treatment Operator.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Parental Leave - Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborns or newly placed foster/adopted child.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Eligible for Arizona State Retirement System pension. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment for newly hired State of Arizona employees.

Contact Us:

[e-mail]

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (480) 604 -7331. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.