Park Ranger/Senior Park Ranger(Cascade)- Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department

City of San José; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing community life through parks and recreation! As a Park Ranger, you will play a vital role in ensuring public safety, protecting natural resources, and engaging with the community in San José. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative environment, where your leadership skills and innovative ideas will contribute to creating enjoyable experiences for park visitors. You will be involved in various activities, from patrolling parks to administering emergency medical care, all while fostering a sense of belonging and stewardship in the community. If you are passionate about making a difference and enjoy working outdoors, this role is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• Candidates must have two years of undergraduate coursework from an accredited institution.
• Bilingual applicants, especially in Spanish or Vietnamese, are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Park Rangers ensure public safety and protect natural resources in parks.
• They educate visitors on regulations and provide emergency response.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Public Safety Knowledge

Community Engagement

Emergency Medical Care

Park Regulations Knowledge

Education

Two years of undergraduate coursework

Tools

Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certificates

State of California driver's license

Job description

This Position is Open Until Filled
The First Application Review Date is Scheduled for Monday April 21, 2025

To be considered for the first review date, candidates should submit their applications no later than
Sunday April 20, 2025 11:59pm

Are you ready to join a team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference? The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’ latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving places where people live, work, play, and learn, which include 48 community centers, 10 regional parks, 203 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 290 playgrounds and almost 63 miles of trails, programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit activatesj.org

PRNS is actively seeking qualified candidates to fill multiple full-time, benefited positions in the Park Ranger classifications, including Senior Park Ranger and Park Ranger (Full Time). We are looking for highly motivated and personable individuals with strong leadership abilities and innovative ideas to join our dynamic team. Our department is dedicated to delivering exceptional service to our diverse community, and we encourage bilingual applicants, particularly those fluent in Spanish or Vietnamese, to apply. If you are interested in a career as a Park Ranger, we strongly recommend applying to be considered for current and future opportunities arising from this recruitment.

Park Rangers play a vital role as stewards of our park system, ensuring public safety, protecting natural and cultural resources, and inspiring future generations to appreciate and care for the environment. As first responders, they are often the initial point of contact for medical, fire, and other emergencies within the parks they oversee. Park Rangers also educate visitors on park regulations, encourage voluntary compliance, and strive to create a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Their approach emphasizes education and community engagement, resolving situations with the lowest appropriate level of enforcement.

Park Ranger Duties:

Specifically, under general supervision, this classification performs duties of moderate difficulty including performing overall work in park operations and visitor services; resource and environmental protection; greeting visitors and explaining/interpreting park features; performing rescue and fire suppression activities; administering emergency medical care as needed; patrolling parks; enforcement of state and local laws; performing conservation programs and projects; providing lead direction to other park personnel; coordinating and leading volunteer and internship programs; providing traffic and parking control; and preparing written and oral reports and other communication.

Senior Park Ranger Duties:

Under direction, provides lead direction to staff engaged in park patrol, protection, and enforcement of park rules and regulations. Assists park visitors, prepares interpretive and educational programs, and may assist in the coordination of emergency response activities. Participates in the protection, improvement, and maintenance of parks, trails, and facilities, and in the organization of day-to-day operations of the work group. Performs related work e.g. staff planning and scheduling, managing supplies and materials, purchasing materials and equipment as required.

The Salary Range for the Park Ranger Classification is: $43.10 - $52.38 Paid Hourly | $89,653.20 - $108,959.76 Paid Annually

The Salary Range for the Senior Park Ranger Classification is: $47.30 - $57.65 Paid Hourly | $98,389.20 - $119,901.60 Paid Annually

PRNS is currently recruiting to fill multiple full-time benefited vacancies for Park Rangers and Senior Park Rangers.

WORK SCHEDULES WILL FLUCTUATE TO MEET PARK OPERATIONAL NEEDS AND WILL INCLUDE WORK DURING LATE AFTERNOONS/EVENINGS, WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. ASSIGNMENTS CAN BE MADE TO ANY AREA OF THE CITY'S REGIONAL PARKS, TRAILS SYSTEM, OR OTHER PRNS FACILITY.

Park Ranger

Education: Two (2) years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university. This is equivalent to at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.

Experience: None

Acceptable Substitution: Veterans and active military personnel may substitute this requirement if they: Have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard AND Have completed four (4) years of active military duty AND Have received an honorable discharge from the United States Military.

Required Licensing:

• Possession of a valid State of California driver's license.
• Possession of current Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certificates within the first six (6) months of employment.
• Deputization as a Peace Officer is required for full time positions.

SENIOR PARK RANGER

Education: Two (2) years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university. This is equivalent to at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.

Acceptable Substitution: Veterans and active military personnel may substitute this requirement if they: Have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard AND Have completed four (4) years of active military duty AND Have received an honorable discharge from the United States Military.

Experience: One (1) year of experience involving public contact and park operations work, performing park patrol, protection, and enforcement duties.

Required Licensing:

• Possession of a valid State of California driver’s license.
• Possession of valid Red Cross First Aid and CPR certificates.
• Law Enforcement academy/ Fire Academy.
• Deputization as a Peace Officer.

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in a related field is highly desirable. Course work in park management, biology, forestry, or other sciences is highly desirable.

Incumbents may be required to have different combinations of the listed qualifications, or more specific job-related qualifications depending on the position.

Park Rangers are considered City of San Jose employees while attending the Department approved Park Ranger Academy, which is approximately 13-week program. Park Rangers will be paid their hourly rate while in the Academy. Full-time Ranger classifications are required to be deputized as a Peace Officer and as such, must pass all parts of the Department approved Academy requirements (Non deputized candidates will also be required to attend and pass the department approved academy). Failure to do so will result in termination of the position. After successfully completing the Department approved academy, recruit Rangers will be placed in an approximately 12 week Field Training Program and must receive a meets standards or higher to complete the program. Failure to do so will result in termination of the position and from the City.

Applicants are encouraged to verify their qualifications via the following tests as soon as possible (proof of passing test scores will be required before a final offer of employment is made):

Physical Agility: Department approved pre-employment Physical Agility Test for law enforcement (WSTB). Pass or Fail. The WSTB includes an obstacle course, body drag, fence climb with sprint and run. Results valid for one year. To register, visit: http://www.theacademy.ca.gov/tests We will not accept the WSTB from any other agency.

Reading and Writing:

1. PELLETB: Complete the California POST Reading & Writing Test (PELLETB). Pass Point is a T-Score total of 50 or higher. Results are valid for three years. For more information or to register go to: https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/
2. National Testing Network (NTN): Complete the National Testing Network Test (NTN). Pass Point scores are 65% Video, 70% Reading, and 70% Writing. Nationwide classroom and/or virtual exams available. Results are valid for three years. NTN will forward exam results to the City of San José. For more information or to register go to: https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs

**All candidates must submit proof of a passing the WSTB AND PelletB or NTN exam result during the background check process following the interviews. APPLICANTS MAY BE REJECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING: Criminal history including commission or conviction of a criminal offense(s).Recent forced resignation, termination, or probation failure from any public safety or emergency medical service position or other employment-related issue(s). Recent or current use of any illicit drugs or narcotics. Past use is evaluated on an individual basis. Failure to disclose prior use is cause for immediate disqualification. Falsification or failure to disclose any required information during the application, testing or selection processes will also result in immediate disqualification.

Other issues that may affect an applicant's suitability for a public safety position with the City of San José is based upon the Department's hiring standards. Successful candidates may enter the final selection process and may be given a conditional offer of employment. The finals election process will include the following: written and oral psychological screening for full-time candidates and a medical exam (completed by the City's physician) for all candidates.

Applicants deemed the most qualified after application screening, oral interviews, and/or practical/written exercise will be required to pass a background investigation, polygraph evaluation, medical and psychological examinations, and fingerprint clearance prior to appointment.

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of the Park Ranger series position, please contact Huy Mac at [e-mail].

If you have questions about the selection or hiring processes, please email Eduardo Gonzalez at [e-mail].