Park Ranger Trainee - Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services

City of San Jose•San Jose, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is seeking motivated and personable individuals with strong leadership abilities and innovative ideas to join their dynamic team as Park Ranger Trainees. PRNS is dedicated to delivering exceptional service to a diverse community and aims to establish healthy communities that inspire belonging through stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life. The department manages a vast network of parks, community centers, playgrounds, and trails, and takes a fun, collaborative, and innovative approach to public service. This role is crucial for ensuring public safety, protecting natural and cultural resources, and educating visitors about the park system.

Requirements

Two (2) years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university (equivalent to at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units).
Veterans and active military personnel may substitute the education requirement if they have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard, completed four (4) years of active military duty, and received an honorable discharge.
Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California.
Ability to meet all background, medical, psychological, and polygraph minimum standards as required by law.
Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, including public safety, day-to-day park operations, park interpretive education programs, conservation, nature and wildlife, natural resource management; Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
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.
Computer Skills: Experienced with common business computer applications including MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
Initiative: Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promote job performance.
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.
Reliability: Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
Must pass a department approved pre-employment Physical Agility Test for law enforcement - POST Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB).
Must pass the California POST Reading & Writing Test (PELLETB) with a T-Score total of 50 or higher, or the National Testing Network (NTN) with scores of 65% Video, 70% Reading, and 70% Writing.
Must pass a background investigation, polygraph evaluation, medical and psychological examinations, and fingerprint clearance prior to appointment.
Must answer all job-specific questions to be considered.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Coursework in park management, biology, forestry, or other sciences.

Responsibilities

Perform duties of moderate difficulty in park operations and visitor services.
Engage in resource and environmental protection.
Greet visitors, explain and interpret park features.
Perform rescue and fire suppression activities.
Administer emergency medical care as needed.
Patrol parks and enforce state and local laws.
Perform conservation programs and projects.
Provide lead direction to other park personnel.
Coordinate and lead volunteer and internship programs.
Provide traffic and parking control.
Prepare written and oral reports and other communication.
Attend and participate in all classes, complete assignments, take tests, and follow all instructions in accordance with the academy curriculum and code of conduct.
Develop proficiency in law enforcement and public safety subjects, including criminal law, criminal investigation, firearms training, emergency response, defensive tactics, search and rescue operations, and vehicle operations.
Provide assistance in the daily operations of parks and facilities.
Patrol parks, trails, and facilities and enforce park rules and regulations.
Provide information to the public, answer questions, explain park or facility policies and regulations, and greet visitors.
Respond to park visitor complaints.
Check visitors into the park and assign appropriate space for use.
Relate effectively to park visitors.
Perform traffic and/or parking control activities.
Participate in training with an onboarding guide.
Gain hands-on experience in park operations, including visitor services and routine administrative tasks.
Operate light vehicles, radios, and other necessary equipment.
Conduct tours and explain natural and historical park features.
Arrange and build displays at park visitor centers.
Perform emergency and routine custodial maintenance tasks.
Operate small or power tools.
Prepare appropriate written and oral reports.
Make court appearances.
Perform rescue, search, and fire suppression activities.
Coordinate volunteer or internship programs.
Perform other related work as required.