Park Ranger

King County•Renton, WA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Career Service Park Ranger vacancies within the Parks Division over the next six months. Protect, Educate, and Inspire in the Great Outdoors! King County Parks is looking for passionate, community-focused Park Rangers to help create a welcoming, positive and safe environment across our parks, trails, and open spaces! King County Parks will be hiring one (1) Career Service position. If you thrive on engaging with people, educating the community, and fostering camaraderie in shared spaces, and working outside in all types of weather the Park Ranger position offers an ideal opportunity for you. About the Role: King County Parks is looking for dedicated and community-minded Park Rangers to serve as environmental stewards and goodwill ambassadors in our parks, trails, and open spaces. As a Park Ranger, you will play a mission-critical role in ensuring a positive and inclusive experience for all visitors by providing on-site customer service, safety assistance, and public education. This role requires regular visits by vehicle, bicycle, and foot across both urban and backcountry parks and trails in all seasons. You will engage directly with the public, conduct community outreach, document and report incidents using GIS technology, address park code violations through voluntary compliance and assist park users using various resources and skills, and coordinate with emergency services when needed. As a Park Ranger, you will be at the forefront of creating a welcoming and safe environment for all park visitors. You will navigate diverse community dynamics, problem-solve complex situations, and collaborate with various agencies to support public safety efforts. This is a mission-critical, on-site position that may also serve as a key point of contact during countywide or park emergencies, requiring availability during such events. About the Team: King County Parks' mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities, and with 205 parks, 28,000 acres of open space, 215 miles of backcountry trail, and 175 miles of regional trails, King County Parks offers close-to-home recreational experiences for everyone. The new Park Ranger Program will be part of the Parks Operations team which is a vibrant and expanding section within the Parks division. Our various lines of business offer support positions that provide a wide range of experiences, offering valuable growth opportunities for individuals at all levels of experience. Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Park Ranger, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity . Apply now for a rewarding career at the Apply now for a rewarding career at the King County Parks Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Requirements

Park Ranger Experience: Previous Park Ranger experience or at least two (2) years of outdoor education experience or leading volunteer events in parks or environmental settings.
Customer Service/Public Experience : Demonstrated experience in a customer service or public-facing role involving answering questions, providing guidance or information, and interacting effectively with the public.
Conflict Resolution : Demonstrated experience resolving conflicts or addressing concerns with members of the public in a professional, calm, and effective manner; ability to find common ground during tense situations and de-escalate situations when possible.
Technology Proficiency : Proficient in working with Microsoft Suite and other software or databases as necessary to write daily reports, develop work programs, and goal setting, emails, training among other needs.
Documentation: Strong skills in documenting incidents, writing reports, and communicating issues to relevant authorities.
Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a diverse community, including during stressful public encounters. Strong ability to work collaboratively with various teams and agencies, specifically under urgent or emergency circumstances.
Physical Requirements: Ability to work in all types of weather, walking, hiking, and biking on various uneven terrains for multiple hours per day.
Ability to ride a 2-wheel, non-electric mountain bike without accommodations over uneven terrain through a full shift in various weather conditions.
Ability to safely drive a vehicle and potentially tow and place mobile message boards, speed limit devices, or other devices to help with safety in parks or informing the public.
WA State Driver’s License.
CPR/AED and wilderness first aid training must be completed within the first 6 months of employment and will be county-paid.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in multiple languages or experience in using translation tools.
Training in de-escalation techniques.
Experience working in a public service setting.

Responsibilities

Maintain a positive and welcoming presence to park users whether on foot or bicycle and assist those through education on park rules, policies, codes, laws and provide other resources as needed and/or applicable to help support voluntary compliance of Park Rules (KCC Title 7).
Promote safe use of our parks and an inclusive environment for all.
Partner closely with the Ranger Supervisor and/or other Parks employees to support internal and external stakeholders and to support associated events, planned activities, and emerging issues while using various forms of communication, including radios, cell phones, or computers.
Safely and effectively operate a motor vehicle and bicycle and navigate various terrains on a daily basis.
Effectively document interaction on a daily basis with the public using various computer databases or systems and keeping team, supervisor, and stakeholders updated as needed.