Park Safety Specialist

The City of Pasadena is seeking a Park Safety Specialist who will patrol City parks and related facilities to ensure safe and proper usage of the parks and open spaces. A Park Safety Specialist performs duties without firearms to ensure the safety of our public spaces so everyone can enjoy them. This position writes citations and makes arrests for misdemeanor violations, provides public assistance and/or emergency services such as first aid, crowd control, and traffic control, and works in collaboration with sworn personnel.

The ideal candidate is an independent, problem-solving communicator focused on the safety and well-being of the Pasadena community. The ideal candidate will possess keen observation skills, diplomacy, listening and negotiating/de-escalation skills, and have command presence and empathy. Being proactive is also key in identifying and preventing crime before it happens.The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description.

• Patrols, monitors, and responds to activities in City parks and park facilities in a vehicle, on foot, or by bicycle to enforce established rules, regulations and City codes, and ordinances; assists with homeless encampment enforcement in parks; dispatched to respond to calls for services in City parks.
• Reports and cites drug usage, graffiti, burglaries, and other City ordinance violations on park property; calls sworn officers for assistance as needed.
• Reports destruction or defacement of park facilities, open spaces and cites or reports unsafe or unlawful acts or situations; provides positive enforcement through counseling violators or through the issuance of citations; collects, and prepares evidence and appears in court.
• Prepares reports regarding activities and concerns within the parks and maintains accurate activity logs and records; may provide input for enforcement plans and programs to address specific concerns in assigned parks; enters, modifies, updates, and retrieves computer data in vehicles and at the station.
• Provides information, direction, and assistance to the public and provides emergency services, including administering CPR, AED, and first aid, as necessary.
• Responds to major incidents, including critical missings, natural disasters, fires, and major accidents; provides barrier control and directs traffic; may drive a mobile sub-unit or operate other types of all-terrain vehicles.
• Assists as needed with department and/or City-sponsored community outreach events and activities; makes oral presentations to community organizations and neighborhood groups to explain existing community and police services and programs and the procedures for obtaining services.
• Assists sworn officers with duties including taking photos, translating victim, and witness statements in the field and performing warrant checks.
• Works cooperatively and effectively with other City departments and agencies regarding park usage problems and patrol complaints.
• Provides information to the public to develop an understanding of the significance of parks, park environments, proper park usage, and available recreation program functions and events.

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Customer Focus - Attending to the needs and expectations of customers. 
• Self-Management - Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability.
• Decision Making - Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner. 
• Oral Communication -Engaging effectively in dialogue. 
• Handling Conflict - Managing interpersonally strained situations.
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation -Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding and using written information.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment. 
• Experience in Public Safety and Customer Service is preferred. 

SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, written test, and department-level interviews.

VACANCY INFORMATION
There are currently two vacancies in the Police Department. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill these vacancies and similar vacancies in the future.

Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period.A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance program.

A standard First Aid certificate, CPR certificate and AED certificate must be acquired within six months of hire.
 
A POST Training, PC 832 certificate must be obtained within six months of hire.
 
Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation is required including a review of employment history, criminal conviction record, credit history, use of intoxicants and/or other controlled substances.
 
Bilingual skills are highly desirable.

 

Salary : $63,724 - $78,167