Chief Park Ranger

City of Sacramento•Sacramento, CA

59d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Sacramento is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Park Ranger to lead the Park Ranger Division within the Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment. This position oversees 14 full-time employees, provides oversight for division operations, including enforcement of municipal code, to ensure the safe and lawful use of the City's 243 parks, parkways, bike trails, and open space areas spanning over 4,360 acres. The ideal candidate for the Chief Park Ranger is an experienced, forward-thinking public safety leader who is committed to protecting parks, natural resources, and the well-being of the community. They bring a strong background in law enforcement within a parks or public-lands environment and have demonstrated success managing and developing diverse teams. This individual excels at strategic planning, operational management, and building effective field-training and mentoring programs. They possess exceptional judgment and the ability to interpret, apply, and enforce city ordinances, government codes, and state laws with fairness, consistency, and professionalism. The ideal candidate is a collaborative problem-solver who builds strong relationships with internal departments, community groups, and partner agencies. They are skilled at evaluating service delivery methods, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing systems that enhance efficiency and impact. The purpose of this position is to manage, supervise, plan, organize, and coordinate the activities and services of the Park Ranger Division.

Requirements

Five (5) years of experience supervising personnel performing ranger activities in a public recreational park or historical area, law enforcement work, or investigative work.
OR Five (5) years of supervisory experience in a position involving field investigations in code, ordinance, or regulation violations.
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment.
Possession of a State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Penal Code 832A Certificate is required at the time of appointment.
Possession of an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certificate is required at the time of appointment.
Free of felony convictions (California Government Code 1029).
Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, and drug use history.
Must pass a medical examination and drug test.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, park administration, recreation administration, natural resource management, or a closely related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
An associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, park administration, recreation administration, natural resource management, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, coordinate, administer, and direct the work and development of the Park Ranger Division.
Develop field-training and mentoring programs.
Oversee the investigation of staff complaints, complete the preparation and processing of appropriate corrective orders and acts.
Manage the development and implementation of long-range goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs.
Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures.
Develop and implement systems to enhance efficiency and evaluate impact.
Ensure compliance of division activities to pertinent codes, regulations, and guidelines.
Work closely with public and private organizations or individuals to explain or coordinate proposed programs.
Manage the preparation of annual budgets, prepare recommendations for budget requests, and authorize and monitor expenditures.
Prepare or review reports for the Director, Council, boards, commissions and other organizations.
Serve on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
Perform related work of a similar nature and level assigned.