Park Ranger (Part-Time Non-Commissioned)

Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks; Westerville (OH); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks is seeking a part-time Park Ranger to engage visitors, provide information, and maintain safe, clean parks. You will conduct rounds, respond to incidents with basic first aid, and enforce park rules while assisting with events and daily maintenance.

Ideal candidates have a HS diploma/ GED and prefer experience in customer service or environmental fields. Valid Ohio driver license and First Aid/ CPR/ AED certification are required within six months of hire.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; additional education/experience in customer service, environmental science, natural resources or related field preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with coworkers, supervisors, the public, and law enforcement; able to complete routine forms.
• Works on a team with outstanding customer service, communications and interpersonal skills.
• Attendance is essential. Must be present at work.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
• Ability to recognize unusual or threatening conditions and initiate proper protocols; solve problems with few variables.
• Possession of a valid Ohio driver license and ability to conform to driving standards; valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification within six months.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist visitors; provide information and directions.
• Conduct regular park rounds by vehicle, bike, or on foot to maintain high visibility.
• Respond to injuries or illnesses; assess and initiate first aid per protocols.
• Explain park rules and promote involvement; guide visitors to shelters and park amenities.
• Open and close parks; perform security checks and maintain park readiness.
• Perform light maintenance (restrooms, lodges, trash removal) and assist with snow removal.
• Assist with special events, including setup, parking logistics and traffic control.
• Represent Metro Parks at community events and promote park programs.
• Complete sign-in procedures for shelter/lodge rentals and provide rental information.
• Complete reports and communicate safety concerns to Park Manager.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

High School diploma or GED

Environmental science/Conservation background (preferred)

Tools

First Aid/CPR/AED certification

Ohio driver license

Job description

Under the supervision/direction of a Park Management, part-time Park Rangers perform a variety of duties, including public/visitor contact and basic assistance, light maintenance, first aid and park interpretation.

Provides support in maintaining safe, clean, and inviting parks for visitors consistent with established operational standards.

Welcomes visitors, provides information and assistance to park visitors, and responds to visitor questions. While assisting visitors, assesses visitors' needs, provides basic direction, options, or solutions if a situation presents. If situations require a response above basic direction, elevates situation to appropriate personnel.

Speaks with visitors, informs visitors about park rules and regulations, ways to become involved with Metro Parks, and provides direction to shelters, picnic areas, various park facilities. Answers general questions about directions, wildlife, vegetation, and park amenities.

Makes rounds regularly throughout work shifts to maintain high visibility with visitors. Rounds through the park may be made in a vehicle, on a bike, or on foot.

Makes rounds throughout parks and trails, looks for signs of vandalism, misuse, trespass, maintenance problems, or safety hazards, and reports any findings to Park Manager/Assistant Park Manager or designee.

Responds to requests for assistance in situations involving injury or illness; assesses situation and initiates established protocols, including providing first aid.

May issue verbal warnings in accordance with operational standards.

Opens parks, unlocks gates and facilities, ensures the park is presentable and ready for early arriving visitors.

Closes parks, locks gates and facilities, performs final security checks before leaving.

Performs sign in procedures for shelter/lodge rental groups; provides information regarding the park, rental requirements, and park amenities.

Performs light maintenance duties including the cleaning of restrooms, nature centers, shelters/lodges; performs snow removal; removes debris and garbage and changes garbage bags.

May perform special maintenance projects as needed.

Assists with special events, including set-up/breakdown, parking logistics/traffic control, and programming.

May represent Metro Parks at fairs, festivals, shows, career days, and promotes Metro Parks through public contact.

Performs special projects and other duties as requested or assigned.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Education/Experience:

Possession of a High School diploma or G.E.D. Additional education or experience in customer service, environmental science/natural resources/conservation or related field preferred.

Language Skills:

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing withcoworkers, supervisors, the general public, local law enforcement personnel; ability to complete routine forms.

Team-Oriented:

Works on a team. Outstanding customer service, communications and interpersonal skills.

Attendance:

Being present at work is an essential function of the position.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to recognize unusual or threatening conditions and initiate proper protocols; ability to deal with problems involving few variables within a familiar context; ability to carry out instructions; ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Licenses, Registrations:

Possession of a valid Ohio driver license, insurable by Metro Parks' insurance carrier, and ability to conform to the driving standards policy. Possession of valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification and within six (6) months of employment/appointment to the position.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand,talk and hear, operate two-way radio and light motorized equipment, sit, work with hands, drive park vehicles,ride bicycles, operate off-road/utility vehicles, and golf carts, etc.The employee is frequently required to use hands to complete reports, usepersonal computers, etc.

Work Environment:

While performing the regular duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee may spend a portion of the time working in the shop and/or office. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Information:

Knowledge of safety practices and procedures, basic building and grounds maintenance. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, local law enforcement personnel and the general public; ability to operate power equipment and tools. Candidate must satisfactorily complete a background investigation. Required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays. Part-time Rangers typically work a specific number of hours over the course of an entire year.

The above Description represents the essentialand most significant dutiesof this position. It is not intended to exclude other work duties, assignments and responsibilities not mentioned herein. In addition to the job description, further information in performing duties is found in the Metro Parks' Rules & Regulations, Employee Handbook, Ranger Manual, Maintenance Manual, and Emergency Response Guidelines.

Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks has a longstanding commitment to provide a safe, quality-oriented and productive work environment. Alcohol and drug abuse poses a threat to the health and safety of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks' employees and to the security of the organization's equipment and facilities. For these reasons, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks is committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment.