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.orgSalary range for this classification is: $103,325.04 - $125,885.76 annually.
This salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.
The mission of the City of San José 's Park Ranger Program is to provide a safe, enjoyable park experience by protecting and educating the public, providing recreational opportunities, and by protecting, preserving, and enhancing the natural and cultural resources of the City's parks, trails, and open spaces.
 
Over the course of the program's 50 year history, San José Park Rangers have worked to ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere in city parks. Park Rangers assist park users, provide information on appropriate park use, and educate visitors on park rules and procedures. As public safety officers, Park Rangers also render emergency medical care, conduct search and rescue operations, and perform wildland fire prevention patrols as well as provide initial wildland fire suppression. As stewards of the City's natural and cultural resources, Park Rangers work to protect and monitor park lands, restore native vegetation, maintain rustic hiking trails, and educate the public on the cultural and natural history of San José. Park Rangers also maintain safety and security in our neighborhood parks and along trails.
 
The Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhood Services Department is looking for a highly motivated, personable individual with strong leadership skills and innovative ideas to direct and organize park personnel in day-to-day operations in the protection of parks, trails, recreation facilities and watersheds within the City of San José.
 Work schedule includes weekends, holidays and evenings and may fluctuate depending on season or condition.
Bilingual applicants speaking a second language such as Spanish or Vietnamese are encouraged to apply.
This job posting is open until fill and may close at any time. The first review of applications is scheduled for June 7, 2024.
Supervising Park Ranger Position & Duties:
 
Supervises staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.

• Evaluates training needs and workload balance for staff and prepares plans for implementation.
• Supervises staff engaged in park, trail, and facilities patrol, protection, or enforcement, and performs enforcement of park rules and regulations.
• Supervises and prepares and provides responses to park visitor complaints.
• Prepares and reviews written reports such as police, fire, injury, activity, vandalism, and visitor data reports; may make court appearances.
• Assumes responsibility for safety of subordinate personnel and park visitors.
• Operates light vehicles, radios, and other equipment necessary to perform Rangers activities.
• Supervises and performs the preparation and presentation of interpretive and educational programs related to park services to civic groups and park visitors.
• Recommends improvements and inspects conservation and resource management projects to maintain and restore the natural and cultural resources in City parks and undeveloped City park lands.
• Monitors weather and fire condition reports; may recommend restricting park use.

Additional duties may include: 

• Performs and directs search, rescue, fire suppression, and other emergency activities; may coordinate activities with other public safety agencies. 
• Completes equipment and supply requisitions.
• Provides budget input on needed personnel, equipment, supplies, and related items.
• Performs enforcement duties such as park patrol and writing misdemeanor citations; may make arrests of persons in violation of Federal, State, or Municipal rules and regulations.
• Supervises and provides cash handling services in the routine collection and/or fees from customers; performs revenue accountability and is responsible for petty cash receipts.
• Performs other related duties as required.

1. 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. Veterans and active military personnel may substitute this requirement if they:
   1. Have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard AND
   2. Have completed four (4) years of active military duty AND
   3. Have received an honorable discharge from the United States Military.
2. Experience: Two (2) years of experience involving public contact and park operations work, including park patrol, protection, and enforcement. 
3. Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.) **
   1. Possession of a valid State of California driver’s license. 
   2. Possession of valid Red Cross First Aid and CPR certificates.
   3. Deputization as a Peace Officer.

**Candidates may be asked to provide certificates (referenced in the Licenses or Certificates section above) at the time of interview. 
 Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:
Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, including public safety, day-to-day park operations, park interpretive and education programs, conservation, natural and cultural resource management, and providing lead direction; Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is highly desirable.
 
Conflict Management - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.
 
Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.
 
Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
 
Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
 
Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
 
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
 
Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
 
Planning - Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives. 
 
Fiscal Management - Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements. 
 
Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
Applicants deemed the most qualified after application screening, oral interviews, and/or practical/writing exercise will be required to pass a background investigation, polygraph test and medical examination prior to appointment.
This background process may include the following elements:

• A comprehensive background process orientation.
• Each applicant is required to personally complete a detailed Personal History Statement (PHS) and review documentation with a background investigator. Applicants are responsible to provide original documents as identified in the PHS document. Falsification or failure to disclose or complete any pertinent or required information during any phase of the application, testing or selection process is grounds for immediate disqualification.
• A detailed background investigation is completed covering at least ten years of each applicant's history including a credit check; motor vehicle records check; verification of education, licensure, and certifications; personal, business and employer reference checks; law enforcement, criminal and civil court records, etc.
• A polygraph exam
• A criminal records fingerprint check through the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation

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.
• Other issues that may affect an applicant's suitability for a public safety position with the City of San José 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 final selection 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.
 
If you have questions about the duties of the Supervising Park Ranger position, please contact Shannon Heimer at shannon.heimer@sanjoseca.gov.
If you have questions about the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies at jaine.davies@sanjoseca.gov.