Park Ranger

City of Tukwila; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary increases

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Retirement Pension

Job summary

The City of Tukwila invites applications for a Park Ranger to engage the public, conduct community outreach, and document incidents in Tukwila’s parks, trails, and recreation facilities. You will coordinate with emergency services and law enforcement as needed, promote voluntary compliance with park codes, and assist park users with resources while delivering safe, welcoming experiences.

Competitive salary with annual step increases; comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision

Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service and assist park users.
• Strong interpersonal communication and community engagement skills.
• Experience in de-escalation and resolving conflicts with the public.
• Ability to document incidents and report clearly and accurately.
• Knowledge of safety rules and park regulations for public spaces.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a welcoming presence and educates park users on rules and resources.
• Enforces rules and may issue notices for violations when appropriate.
• Patrols parks and trails; inspects for safety, vandalism and hazards.
• Facilitates rentals and events; addresses complaints and seeks voluntary compliance.
• Collaborates with local police and emergency services as needed; administers first aid when required.
• Maintains flexible schedule including weekends and evenings; supports maintenance tasks.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Conflict resolution

Documentation

Public safety awareness

Job description

Description

The City of Tukwila is in search of a Park Ranger who will engage directly with the public, conduct community outreach, document and report incidents, address park code violations through voluntary compliance, assist park users using various resources and skills, and coordinate with emergency services and law enforcement when needed.

About The City

The City of Tukwila is 9.6 square miles of opportunity and a dynamic place to work. The population is over 22,000 at night and up to 150,000+ during the day. Tukwila shares borders with the Cities of Seattle, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, and Kent. Its central location lies in the heart of the Puget Sound region, sitting 12 miles south of downtown Seattle, 17 miles north of downtown Tacoma, and just east of SeaTac Airport. It is easily accessed by I-5 and I-405 or via either of Tukwila's two train stations, the Sounder Station or the Sound Transit Light Rail Station.

Mission Statement

To provide superior services that support a safe, inviting, and healthy environment for our residents, businesses, and guests.

Core Values

• Caring – We support the diverse community we serve with compassion, empathy and kindness.
• Professional – We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and act with integrity and transparency. We are respectful and courteous with all.
• Responsive – We are timely and effective in the delivery of great customer service. We continually strive to find innovative ways to improve.

About Tukwila Parks

Tukwila is home to over 150 acres of open space including parks, multi‑use trails, Foster Golf Links, and the Tukwila Community Center. The mission of the Tukwila Parks and Recreation is to enhance the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors through a quality system of public spaces, programs and events that enhance and promote opportunities for health and fitness, personal growth, relaxation, community connection, civic engagement, and environmental stewardship.

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Parks and Recreation, or their designee, this position provides customer service to park patrons to ensure a safe, welcoming, and positive experience while visiting Tukwila’s parks, trails and recreation facilities and attending or participating in city activities and events.

Why Choose the City of Tukwila?

• Competitive salary with annual step increases.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, plus a retirement pension plan.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $6,189 – $7,521 per month (T16). This position is represented by Teamsters 763

Note: We don’t typically hire at the top of the range.

Veteran’s Preference

Veteran's Preference is available in accordance with state laws. Attach DD214 or NGB Form 22 for eligibility.

Selection Process

The City of Tukwila is an equal opportunity employer and strives to employ a diverse workforce reflective of the community it serves. Qualified applicants with multicultural experience and/or backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

This selection process may include but is not limited to evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing, and interviewing. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at [e-mail].

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Maintains a positive and welcoming presence to park users whether on foot or bicycle and assist those through education on park rules, policies, codes, laws and provide other resources as needed and/or applicable to help support voluntary compliance of Park Rules (TMC 12.08).
• Exercises limited authority granted by local code to enforce rules, regulations, and ordinances governing parks and may issue civil infraction notices for violations.
• Performs routine patrols and monitoring of parks, trails and open space, conducting park walk-throughs and inspections, assessing areas for signs of environmental contamination, vandalism, property defacement, encroachments, prohibited encampments, and other unsafe conditions.
• Facilitates and monitors, park, ballfield, picnic shelter rentals, special events and other activities to ensure customer satisfaction, provide information, address complaints and seek compliance to rules and regulations.
• Collaborates with the Tukwila Police Department (TPD) to deter non-compliant activity, share information, strategize about best practices and engage in joint training.
• Supports response to emergency situations throughout the parks, trail and open space system. Administers first aid and CPR to patrons who require medical attention as needed.
• Collaborates with King County Animal Control on off leash dog enforcement.
• Provides pet license information to park users.
• Ensure doors, gates, and parks are open during operational hours and secure at closing time.
• Documents and records work, report/share information with the Parks and Recreation Department and/or Public Works with regards to issues and concerns within the Parks and Recreation system and/or Public Works’ managed rights‑of‑ways and lands.
• Enhances safety & security in parks, recreation, and natural areas, as well as at city events and activities and deters negative activity through a uniformed, diplomatic and authoritative presence.
• Responds to See-Click-Fix requests to conduct preliminary inspection/assessment. Performs basic park maintenance tasks including, but not limited to opening/closing gates, light litter and garbage clean‑up, minor cleaning and repair, minor pruning, minor graffiti/vandalism abatement, etc.
• Must maintain flexible schedule and willingness to work various shifts throughout the year depending upon business need. Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays and evenings will be part of the normal schedule.
• Partners with Public Works and Parks and Recreation to respond to maintenance & repair issues.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of parks and recreation business and best management practices.
• Knowledge and familiarity with parks and trails, public facilities, equipment and typical maintenance and operational practices.
• Knowledge of applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Skilled in interpersonal communications and proficient in techniques to gain and maintain compliance to rules, regulations and safety protocols.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures.
• Must have excellent communication skills and demeanor.
• Must have excellent oral, interpersonal, and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proven track record in providing excellent customer service.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills including the ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner.
• Excellent situational awareness and ability to discern difficult situations.
• Must be able to generate accurate documentation and reports.
• Demonstrated experience resolving conflicts or addressing concerns with members of the public in a professional, calm, and effective manner; ability to find common ground during tense situations and de‑s‑calate situations when possible.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and keep management informed of potentially sensitive and/or controversial issues.
• Ability to operate a City vehicle, bicycle and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer for reporting, communication, and documentation.
• Ability to remain flexible to changing priorities.