Ranger I/II

City of Santa Cruz; California; On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Cruz is seeking a Ranger I/II for the Water Recreation Division. This role involves park maintenance, public assistance, and resource management at the Loch Lomond Recreation Area. Candidates should have a high school diploma and experience in public service, with a focus on safety and environmental stewardship.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in public contact roles preferred.
• Ability to operate various tools and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with park maintenance and visitor services.
• Patrol assigned areas to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Provide first response emergency services.

Skills

Customer Service

Resource Management

Safety Practices

Education

High school diploma or tested equivalent

Associate degree in environmental studies or related field

Tools

Hand and power tools

Construction equipment

Job description

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The Position

The Position

The current vacancy is for Ranger I/II in the Water Recreation Division of the Water Department at the Loch Lomond Recreation Area at 100 Loch Lomond Way in Felton . The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Ranger I/II vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Under supervision, the Ranger I/II assists with the protection and preservation, general maintenance and enhancement of the recreation and open space areas, facilities and city properties and/or watershed facilities in the Water Department. Provides information and visitor services and assistance to the public in the use of the facilities and areas; performs resource management projects, patrols assigned areas to ensure compliance with municipal rules and regulations; responds to emergency medical situations; may oversee seasonal employees or volunteers responsible for routine park operation and maintenance tasks; may be directed to lead a task or project and performs related duties as assigned.

Recruitment #25-074

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 05/29/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted.To apply, submit:
• Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
• Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 06/02 and 06/09/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment once all applications have been reviewed.
• Week of 06/23 and/or 06/30/25: I nterviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exam.
  
  

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below).

• Learns the natural history of the area and applies this knowledge when performing park maintenance, operations, interpretive and protection duties.
• Provides general information about the recreation area and its facilities to the public; may be responsible for fee collection, reservations, facility and equipment rentals, and related record-keeping; maintains supplies and inventories.
• Provides a uniformed presence and performs patrol duties; educates and provides assistance to visitors.
• Trains, leads and assists seasonal staff in the operation of the toll gate, park store and boat rental dock and the maintenance of related facilities.
• Receives and processes purchases, fees, fines, or other transactions; sets up cash drawers and operates cash registers and/or point of sales equipment (POS); prepares receipts, balances money received and prepares deposits; reconciles user fees with daily receipts; maintains financial records; contacts vendors for the park store; places orders and monitors inventories.
• May monitor water quality conditions, collect water samples, and record data from water gauges; and, may act as the shift operator for the on-site water treatment facility.
• Ensures compliance with rules and regulations; as a public officer, may issue citations related to violation of the Municipal Code related to regional parks, recreational facilities, open space, and/or watershed lands.
• Responds to citizen complaints, resolves conflicts, and writes incident reports; contacts appropriate law enforcement agencies for assistance, as necessary.
• Provides first response emergency services within established response areas, including administering emergency medical aid, and completes incident reports; may perform fire watch activities, and may provide fire suppression support upon request from the Fire Department; may assist with emergency response operations outside of established response areas.
• Constructs and maintains parks and open space facilities, such as buildings, picnic areas, signs, irrigation systems, turf, trails, fuel breaks, fences, gates and grounds; plans and constructs exhibits; may place orders for equipment, materials, and services; performs maintenance and repair work on facilities and structures, including minor carpentry, plumbing and painting; may clean restrooms and empty trash receptacles; may operate and maintain various types of power tools, construction equipment and vehicles, including tractors, tractor accessories, trailers, fire equipment, vessels and reservoir maintenance equipment.
• Assists with the development of interpretive flyers, programs and exhibits concerning natural history, operations, and resource management practices in open space lands; assists with developing and conducting interpretive talks and hikes on natural history and/or water resource topics for park visitors, local schools and the public.
• Assists with resource management by observing and reporting environmental hazards, such as slides, erosion, and disease and insect activity in trees; recommends removal of hazardous trees and eradication of undesirable flora; performs open space maintenance operations and resource management projects.
• As directed, may be assigned to direct and train, lower- level Ranger employees and volunteers.
• May be assigned to assist with the coordination efforts in support of facility operations.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires: prolonged sitting, standing, and walking on uneven and slippery surfaces, including mountain trails; reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when patrolling parks, inspecting work and operating assigned equipment. The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 80 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works outdoors and in all weather conditions, including rain, heat and cold. The job duties may expose the employee to blood-borne pathogens, certain types of insect and rodent borne disease, dermatitis caused by poison oak, fumes, dust, air contaminants, stinging insects, mountain lions, feral pigs, and rattlesnakes. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and construction equipment, and respond to emergency situations to provide rescue assistance or fight fires. Some positions may require the incumbent to work around a reservoir and operate watercraft. The incumbent may be required to respond to after- hours emergency call outs.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education And Experience

Ranger I:

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• Six (6) months of public contact experience in a parks related job such as participating in an outdoor recreational program.
  
  

Ranger II:

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• The equivalent of one (1) year of public contact experience interpreting rules and regulations and some experience performing parks maintenance tasks.
• An Associate degree in environmental studies, forestry or a related field may substitute for six (6) months of the required experience.
  
  

Knowledge:

• The use of various hand and power tools to perform grounds keeping, basic carpentry, plumbing, and general maintenance.
• Occupational hazards and safety practices and procedures related to park maintenance.
• Natural resources management and natural history.
  
  

Skills:

• Safely operate a variety of hand and power tools, construction equipment, and vehicles used in park maintenance.
• Proven excellent customer service
  
  

Abilities:

• Interact courteously and effectively with members of the public.
• Read, understand, and review documents for accuracy and relevant information.
• Learn to operate hand and power tools related to resource management such as shovels, axes, saws, Pulaskis, McLeods, weed wrenches and rakes.
• Interpret, apply, explain and enforce procedures, rules, regulations, and codes, including state and local ordinances and the Municipal Code.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; make oral presentations.
• Assist with training of assigned staff and volunteers; as directed may monitor work activities to ensure safe work practices, work quality and accuracy of lower-level Ranger staff and volunteers.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines; respond appropriately in potentially hazardous or emergency situations.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Operate handheld, mobile, and base station radios.
• Organize and prioritize work assignments.
• Assist with the preparation, development and may be assigned to lead interpretive talks and hikes for park visitors.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Work independently and as a member of a team.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Read, interpret and record data accurately; maintain manual and computerized record keeping systems.
• Make observations of reservoir water (e.g., color, odor, turbidity) and take measurements to monitor water quality and conditions.
  
  

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California class C driver’s license.
• Possession, and continued maintenance of, Title 22 First Aid for Public Safety Personnel and CPR certification within 6 months of hire for Ranger I and within 6 months of hire for Ranger II.
• Completion of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) PC832 Arrest & Control training within 1 year of hire for Ranger I and within 6 months of hire for Ranger II.
• Possession of a Grade T1 Water Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the State of California Department of Health Services within two years of hire.
• Possession of a valid California Boater Card within six months of hire, or qualification under an approved exemption as defined by law, such as California Harbors and Navigation Code
• 678.11 .
  
  

Other Requirements

• Willingness to wear a uniform.
• Willingness to perform call-back and as needed shifts.
• Willingness to work irregular shifts, holidays and weekends.
  
  

Desirable Qualifications

• College-level coursework in natural resources management, forestry, environmental science, or a related field.
• Ability to speak Spanish.
• Experience in interpreting, applying, explaining and enforcing procedures, rules, regulations, and codes; including state and local ordinances and the Municipal Code.
• Possession of POST Certified PC 832.
• Possession of Standard First Aid and CPR.
  
  

Career Ladder

• Chief Ranger
• Senior Ranger
• Ranger I/II
• Ranger Assistant

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Contract

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Government Administration

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