Urban Park Ranger

DEPT OF PARKS & RECREATION; New York (NY); On-site; USD 58,843 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Paid holidays

Union benefits

Free recreation center membership

Job summary

NYC Department of Parks & Recreation is seeking Urban Park Rangers to lead educational and recreation programs across the city, from school programs to summer camps in natural areas. You will promote wildlife stewardship, supervise activities, and engage the public with parks rules and safety information.

The role requires working weekends or holidays, driving or riding in patrol vehicles, and meeting driver license and residency requirements. Competitive benefits include pension and paid leave.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or 60 credits with related experience, or a high school diploma with one year of qualified experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or 60 credits and related public safety or environmental experience preferred.
• Must be eligible for City of New York civil service appointment and meet Special Patrolman requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead educational and recreation programs for children, camps, and adults in natural areas.
• Develop projects to protect wildlife and promote stewardship of parks and resources.
• Staff nature centers, greet visitors, and enforce Parks Rules & Regulations.
• Patrol parks, provide first aid, and respond to emergencies as needed.
• Work citywide and coordinate with diverse communities.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Moral character

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree / 60 credits

Tools

Driver license

Job description

Build your career with NYC Parks! NYC Parks helps bring together people from all over our great city. From the iconic Central Park to neighborhood playgrounds, we own and operate some of the most exemplary green spaces in the world. The Urban Parks Rangers' (UPR) mission is to link New Yorkers to the natural world through environmental education, outdoor recreation, wildlife management and active conservation. URBAN PARK RANGER - 60421

Public service is a rewarding career! NYC Parks offers innovation, leadership, the satisfaction of public service and a place to grow and develop your career. Full-time employees are eligible for a wide variety of City benefits and perks including exceptional health and union benefits, pension, generous vacation/sick days, paid holidays, earned overtime, and a work-life balance.

Professional Development - We offer numerous training programs, leadership development opportunities, and career coaching services, while encouraging employees to attend approved off-site trainings and seminars.

Perks - Our employees are eligible for discounts on some of the top attractions in the city, and all employees receive free membership to our recreation centers.

Major Responsibilities

• Under supervision, lead educational and recreation-based programs for school children, summer camps and adults in natural areas throughout the city.
• Lead projects that support wildlife, preserve the urban natural world and promote stewardship of parks and natural resources.
• Lead current programming which includes canoeing, hiking, seining, fishing, biking, historical tours as well as educational programming.
• Staff nature centers, greet visitors and disseminate information regarding Parks Rules & Regulations, health & safety hazards and park events to the public.
• Patrol parks and natural areas, provide a uniform presence and enforce Parks Rules & Regulations.
• Provide first aid and emergency response to park patrons.
• Issue summonses for the violation of Parks Rules & Regulations; may detain or arrest violators of city and state laws.
• May be assigned to work in any borough.

Work Location: Citywide

Salary: $58,843 ($92K fully loaded including fringe benefits)

Other Requirements

1. Able to work any shift, including weekends and holidays.
2. Able to work outdoors in all kinds of weather; able to walk and/or stand in an assigned area; able to drive or sit in a patrol vehicle while remaining alert.

Minimum Qualifications

1. An associate degree or completion of 60 college-level semester credits from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Educational Accreditation (CHEA); or
2. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in one of the following: law or code enforcement; security; ecology; or as an environmental instructor or ranger in a recognized park, recreation or ranger program, cultural institution or accredited school; or
3. A satisfactory combination of education and experience that is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. College education may be substituted for the required experience in "2" above on the basis of 5 semester credits for 1 month of experience. Experience working as a clerk or secretary is not acceptable.

Special Patrolman Requirement

• must be twenty-one years of age or older,
• a citizen of the United States
• a resident of New York City
• have no record of convictions for any felony or for any serious offence against public safety (as defined in the New York State Penal Law),
• if discharged from military service, the discharge must not have been dishonorable, and
• be of good moral character.

Driver License Requirement

By the time you are appointed to this position, you must have a motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York. If you have moving violations, license suspension(s) or an accident record, you may be disqualified. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.

Medical Requirement

Medical guidelines have been established for the position of Urban Park Ranger. Candidates will be examined to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position of Urban Park Ranger. Where appropriate, a reasonable accommodation will be provided for a person with a disability to enable him or her to take the examination, and /or to perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred Skills

Preference will be given to applicants who passed the Urban Park Ranger Civil Service Examination (Exam No. 4109 and 5139).

1. Bachelor's degree. 60 college credits in Criminal Justice, Environmental Studies, Security Management, Emergency Management or a related field.
2. Excellent oral/written communication skills.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required within 90 days of hire for all other candidates.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.