Senior Park Ranger

County of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of San Diego is seeking a Senior Park Ranger to oversee programs across large regional parks and open spaces. This lead role directs activities, ensures safety, and supports daily operations across multiple facilities.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree with park ranger experience, or 60 semester units with two years, or three years in the role. Interviews are scheduled the week of November 16, 2026; start date follows medical screening and background checks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation management, natural resource management, or closely related field with 1 year of Park Ranger experience; OR
• 60 semester units with 2 years of Park Ranger experience; OR
• 3 years of Park Ranger experience in a park, forest, or open space.

Skills

Park Ranger experience

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation or related field

60 semester units toward a four-year degree

Three years Park Ranger experience

Job description

The County of San Diego is currently accepting job applications for Senior Park Ranger.

Senior Park Ranger

Interviews will take place the week of November 16, 2026. Job offers will be made the week of November 23, 2026.

Selected candidates will be hired at Step 1 $64,896.00 of the salary range. County employees are subject to the County Promotion Rule for Step Placement in Accordance with Compensation Ordinance 1.3.5.

Future Salary Increase

** June 2027 – 5.07% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 2.07% Market Adjustment)

The following additional pay incentive and premium is available:

• Classification Premium Pay - 3% above the employee's base pay.

The Department maintains and enhances the quality of life in San Diego County by providing parks and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. This department is nationally accredited and has an award-winning system that includes local and regional parks, campgrounds, 350 miles of trails, fishing lakes, state-of-the-art recreation centers and sports complexes, ecological preserves, and open space preserves. This department offers hundreds of programs, ranging from an award-winning Outdoor Adventure Program to cutting edge activities that contribute to healthy communities and lifestyles. Departmental facilities cover more than 50,000 acres, are open year-round, and are operated and maintained by County staff, volunteers, and service contracts. For additional information about this department, please visit The Department of Parks and Recreation.

Position

Senior Park Ranger is a lead level class responsible for overseeing and directing specific programs or activities within large regional camping parks and high volume regional day-use parks; or, responsible for smaller low volume regional day-use parks or open space preserves.

Please read the Senior Park Ranger job description for more information.

Hiring Process and Timeline

• i. Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• ii. Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• iii. Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in parks and recreation management, natural resource management, cultural resource management, anthropology, history, biology, archaeology, public administration, business administration, recreation administration, or a closely related field, AND, one (1) year of full-time paid experience as a Park Ranger in a park, forest, natural recreational, or historical area; OR,
2. Sixty (60) semester units of college-level coursework from an accredited U.S. college or university, or certified foreign studies equivalency toward a four-year degree in one of the fields described above, AND, two (2) years of full-time experience at the level of a Park Ranger in a park, forest, natural recreational, or historical area; OR,
3. Three (3) years full-time paid experience as a Park Ranger in a park, forest, natural recreational, or historical area.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Conditions of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Evaluation

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.

Veteran’s Preference Policy

The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.

Military Skills Translator

Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please go to the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.

Strategic Plan

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of these values is infused throughout our operations. The County also embraces a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Read more about the Strategic Plan for more information.

Disaster Service Worker

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

Diversity & Inclusion

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.