Park Services Ranger I/II

Job Description:

Park Services Ranger I/II

Description

Description

THE AGENCY
The General Services Agency (GSA) is comprised of Fleet Services, Facilities, Procurement, Special Services, Parks, Security, and Business Support and is responsible for a broad spectrum of services to all the County departments and agencies. It requires a very diverse workforce to accomplish the GSA mission of contributing to the quality of life in Ventura County by partnering with their customers to provide expertise and cost-effective service delivery, and foster the preservation of natural resources.

THE POSITION
Under general supervision, patrols park facilities, enforces rules, regulations and ordinances governing county parks; answers questions, provides park information, presentations and direction to the public; performs general maintenance, custodial, grounds duties and repair of park facilities; provides direction to subordinate staff and volunteers; and performs related duties as required.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in both customer service and enforcement of regulations, enjoy working outdoors, have related education in natural resources, forest management, outdoor recreation or a related area, be adept at modern software based record keeping, and be dedicated to ensuring park visitor satisfaction.

Park Services Ranger I: $24.81 - $ 33.32 per hour
Park Services Ranger II: $25.89 - $ 36.27 per hour

WHAT WE OFFER

• Educational Incentive - Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.
• Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills. Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III) .
• Vacation Accrual - New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 years of service.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 2.5% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Insurance Plans - Medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Increase your spending power by reimbursement with pre-taxed dollars for IRS-approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Pension Plan - Both you and the County contribute to the County’s Retirement Plan. If you are eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems, such as PERS.
• Additional Benefits - Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Wellness Program.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: General Services Agency - Parks Department

Park Services Rangers I and II are represented by Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Association (VCPPOA) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Receives, registers and collects fees from park visitors and from the "iron ranger" fee payment boxes.
• Patrols park facilities to assist the general public and responds to inquiries from the public regarding park facilities and visually inspects facilities and grounds for safety hazards, vandalism, damage, maintenance needs, cleanliness, and supplies.
• Counts gate receipts, reconciles payments with park visitors; prepares funds for bank deposit, updates software to account for drop in park visitors and campers; makes bank deposits.
• Enforces park regulations and California Motor Vehicle Code, issues written citations, and may testify in court.
• Assists in repair, maintenance, and fire hazard reduction activities on trails, stream crossings, picnic grounds, campsites, recreational areas, parking lots, restrooms and other areas within a county park facility; may operate light equipment such as mowers, edgers, blowers, power saws, and drills in the course of performing repair, maintenance and fire hazard reduction activities.
• May provide direction to and oversee activities of seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Responds to emergencies; performs and administers first aid and CPR and summons assistance; coordinates with the Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol, and other public agencies.
• Writes narrative incident reports to document unusual events.
• Performs routine office work such as filing and record keeping.
• Plans and executes projects.
• Performs related duties as required.

In addition to the items listed above the Park Services Ranger II:

• Acts as a lead ranger providing direction to and oversight of subordinate staff, i.e., Park Services Ranger I, Park Services Ranger Trainee, seasonal workers, volunteers, and student workers.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
Park Services Ranger I:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: two (2) years of experience dealing with the interpretation, law enforcement, or outdoor recreation and handling the maintenance, custodial or repair of park facilities such as campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, community centers, and playgrounds.

Completion of an Associate's degree with an emphasis in natural resources, forest management, outdoor recreation or a field that is related to the knowledge, skills and abilities is desirable.

Substitution:
Completion of thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units of college level coursework may be substituted for one year of field experience.

NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents are required to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Incumbents must possess a valid California driver license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Incumbents will be required to successfully complete a PC832 course in Arrest, Search and Seizure (40-hour course) and obtain CPR and First Aid Certificates within the first six (6) months of hire or promotion.
• Incumbents are required to wear a uniform during working hours.
• Work is performed in an outdoors environment, regardless of weather conditions.
• Incumbents must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds unassisted and have full range of motion and normal strength in all extremities.

Park Services Ranger II:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be three (3) years of experience dealing with the interpretation, law enforcement, or outdoor recreation and handling the maintenance, custodial or repair of park facilities such as campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, community centers, and playgrounds.

Substitution:
Completion of an Associate's degree with an emphasis in natural resources, forest management, outdoor recreation or a closely related field is desirable and may substitute for two (2) years of field experience; or,

Completion of thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units of college level coursework may be substituted for one (1) year of field experience.

NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents are required to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Incumbents must possess a valid California driver license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Incumbents are required to have the ability to stoop, bend, lift and carry park related items such as campground supplies.
• Incumbents must possess and maintain a PC832 certification obtainable by completing a course in Arrest, Search and Seizure (40-hour course) at the time of hire or promotion; as well as CPR and First Aid Certificates.
• Incumbents are required to wear a uniform during working hours.
• Work is performed in an outdoors environment, regardless of weather conditions. Incumbents must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds unassisted and have full range of motion and normal strength in all extremities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Park Services Ranger I:
Working knowledge of:

• Principles and processes for providing customer service.
• Principles and practices for effective conservation of natural and park resources.
• Equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote secure parks sites and facilities.
• Basic facility, grounds, road and trail maintenance and repair, custodial, and landscape techniques as well as tools used in maintenance and repair.
• Basic math and time management.

Ability to:

• Learn and apply park ordinances, laws and their interpretations
• Work independently; analyze problems and use sound judgment in formulating solutions.
• Manage one's time to insure all tasks are completed.
• Accurately add, subtract, multiply, and divide in order to reconcile and total park gate receipts.
• Work effectively with subordinates, peers, superiors, and the public.

Park Services Ranger II:
Thorough knowledge of:

• Principles and processes for providing customer service.
• Principles and practices for effective conservation of natural and park resources.
• Equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote secure parks sites and facilities.
• Basic facility, grounds, road and trail maintenance and repair, custodial, and landscape techniques as well as tools used in maintenance and repair.
• Park ordinances, laws and their interpretation.

Working knowledge of:

• The principles of supervision and ability to provide input into performance evaluations.
• Basic math and time management.

Ability to:

• Work independently; analyze problems and use sound judgment in formulating solutions.
• Manage one's time to ensure all tasks are completed.
• Accurately add, subtract, multiply, and divide in order to reconcile and total park gate receipts.
• Perform CPR/first aid as demonstrated by possession of a CPR/First Aid Card.
• Write citations as demonstrated by possession of a PC 832.
• Work effectively with subordinates, peers, superiors, and the public.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE : This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply online, please refer to our website at www.venturacounty.gov/jobs. A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is: County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portions of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above sections; however, it may not be substituted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: Candidates' applications, resumes, or other required documentation will be evaluated on a comparative basis against pre-established criterion. Those individuals whose materials best indicate possession of the stated requirements, may be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%: An un-proctored, internet-based job-related written exam will be conducted to evaluate participating candidates' knowledge of general cleaning/restroom cleaning, basic math, following written orders, reading comprehension, and parks patrol. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the exam process may be placed on the eligible list for a period of six (6) months.

ELIGIBLE LIST

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the General Services Agency, Parks Department. There are currently two (2) regular positions with the General Services Agency.

Candidates successfully completing the written examination may be placed on an eligible list for a period of six (6) months.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be subjected to a thorough background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record.

For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Chinna Nahabedian by e-mail to [email protected] or by telephone at (805) 654-2458.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Ventura County Professional Peace Officers' Association

(VCPPOA)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: PVP, PVT

Salary:

$51,604.80 - $75,441.60 Annually