Park Ranger

About the role

This is a full-time, FLSA non-exempt position with Carson City's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department located in Carson City, Nevada.

To learn more about the Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), click here.

Responsibilities

• Provides information and appropriate assistance concerning department programs (parks or open space) and related facilities to include recommending and implementing trail building, and trail maintenance projects;
• Identifies natural resource problems; assists with developing solutions and implementing projects for natural resource protection and rehabilitation including noxious weed control;
• Prepares sites for reserved group activities and events;
• Assists businesses and non-profit organizations with volunteer projects;
• Counsels and educates the public through interpretive education programs to schools, community groups and other visitors on a variety of topics including, but not limited to: park and open space programs; natural, cultural and historic resources; wildlife; and leave no trace ethics;
• Protects parks and open space ecosystems, including vegetation and wildlife;
• Patrols parks, open space and other jurisdictional facilities for the purpose of enforcing park rules, preventing and detecting violations of laws, educating and informing the public;
• Explains and interprets applicable codes and pertinent regulations; objectively handles a wide variety of public contact situations;
• Addresses difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner;
• Affords assistance to other law enforcement agencies when necessary;
• Provides crowd and traffic control coverage at special events and assigned activities;
• Collects trash and other debris; cleans and maintains buildings, grounds, picnic pavilions and restrooms; prevents or abates graffiti and ensures that parks remain safe and hazard free;
• Reports maintenance issues as required;
• Conducts a variety of projects in parks and open spaces including, but not limited to: trail building, fence and sign installation/removal, revegetation, restoration, erosion control, and weed abatement;
• Assists and provides appropriate first aid;
• Responds to emergencies and medical situations at parks and open space locations;
• Drives a City motor vehicle, bicycle, or ATV to travel to or patrol parks and open space locations;
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team;
• Prepares reports, correspondence and a variety of written materials; prepares and maintains accurate records, collects visitor data, and documents parks and open space activities;
• Uses standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of the work.

Requirements

• Education and Experience: Equivalent to a High School education or GED; AND two (2) years of experience in customer service, parks operations, natural resource or wildlife management, recreation coordination, or law enforcement; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.
• Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation management, natural resources management, forestry, biology, environmental science/education, criminal justice, or a closely related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid driver’s license at time of hire.
• Must obtain Taser and Pepper-spray Certification within twelve months of hire.
• Must obtain First Aid/CPR certification within six months of hire.

Knowledge and Skills

• Principles and techniques of public relations.
• City parks and natural, cultural and historic resources.
• First aid and basic CPR methods.
• City parks, recreation and open space rules, ordinances, state statutes, enforcement of laws.
• Personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software applications.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Techiques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
• Use and minor maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment.

Supervision

• Under general supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Frequent sitting to perform designated office tasks and to survey park for hazards and potential problems from a vehicle;
• Constant standing and walking over uneven terrain in all weather conditions to address hazards and potential park violations with public;
• Occasional running to address emergency situations;
• Frequent squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching overhead and below shoulder, and twisting to perform park maintenance and other related duties;
• Occasional crawling and climbing to perform various park duties;
• Frequent lifting, grasping and manipulating tools and equipment in a safe manner;
• Occasional stepping up and/or down from vehicles and stairs;
• Safely operating vehicles, heavy equipment, bicycles and all-terrain vehicles;
• Vision to observe park for potential hazards and maintenance issues, and hearing to communicate with public, groups, and staff;
• Frequent lifting to move equipment and supplies;
• To carry up to fifty (50) pounds and to occasionally lift and carry in excess of 50 pounds;
• Frequent pushing and/or pulling up to fifty (50) pounds and occasionally in excess of fifty (50) pounds.

Supplemental Information

• Conditions of Employment: All new employees will serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months. Such employees are not subject to the collective bargaining agreement and may be laid off or discharged during this period for any reason, or no reason. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation and a drug screen. The fee associated with the background check and drug test must be paid for by the employee prior to beginning employment.
• Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screening.
• This position is required to make a report in accordance with Nevada Revised Statute 432B.220, if, in his or her professional or occupational capacity, he or she knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected.
• Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.