Park Ranger

Park Ranger

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 12/4/25, 1/8/26, 2/5/26, 3/5/26, 4/2/26, 5/7/26, 6/4/26, 7/9/26, 8/6/26, 9/3/26, 10/8/26, 11/5/26, 12/3/26

Under general supervision Park Rangers perform duties related to law enforcement, visitor services, interpretive programs, resource and wildlife protection, safety enforcement, pollution control, public relations, and fee collection for the County Regional Parks System.

Knowledge of principles and practices of law enforcement, philosophy of park patrol and visitor safety methods, laws and regulations applicable to park management and visitor safety such as those pertaining to arrest, search and seizure; environmental protection; fish and game; and motor vehicle usage, common procedures and methods associated with providing public security, proper operation of communication equipment such as two-way radios, pagers and cell phones, safety procedures related to using firearms, handcuffs and batons, first aid and CPR, computer software applications such as word processing and e-mail.

Ability to learn principles and practices of natural resources conservation, park operations and park visitor management, learn methods and materials used in preparing and interpreting historical and natural science displays and exhibits, lead the work of others, carry out programs in accordance with plans and specifications, analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action, prepare clear, concise and complete reports, communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, meet and deal with the public and others in a pleasant and effective manner, perform calmly and respond quickly and appropriately in stressful or emergency situations, speak, read, and write English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance, maintain proficiency in defensive techniques and firearms, swim in swift waters to perform rescue and enforcement activities, report emergencies by telephone, two-way radio, or other communication device, provide first aid and CPR, use computer equipment to enter, maintain and extract information.

Minimum Qualifications Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of an acceptable General Education Development (GED) test. AND Either: 1. Possession of a State of California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Certificate, or satisfactory completion of a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy. Or: 2. Current enrollment in a State of California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy.

Important: Under Gov. Code 1031(e), only U.S. accredited high school diplomas, GED tests, equivalency tests approved by the State Department of Education, or U.S. accredited college degrees are accepted. Diplomas or degrees from unaccredited or non-U.S. schools will not be accepted.

Note: Applicants qualifying under pattern (1) must submit either (a) a copy of the P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate with the application; or (b) a copy of a certificate of completion from a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy with the application. Applicants qualifying under pattern (2) must submit a copy of an official document showing current Academy enrollment. Satisfactory completion of the Academy will be required prior to appointment.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination.

General Qualifications Compliance with Government Code: Incumbents appointed to this class shall meet the minimum standards set forth in California Government Code, Section 1031. Certification Requirements: Possession of a valid first aid and CPR Certificate are required within twelve months of appointment to the class. Failure to obtain or maintain the required certificates may be cause for termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Commission Rules and applicable bargaining agreements. Criminal History and Background Check: The County shall access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and Procedures B-5, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained. The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act. The background check may include a Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) examination, and shall include psychological and physical examinations according to P.O.S.T. specifications. Pursuant to CA Government Code, Section 1029, the conviction of a felony is grounds for disqualification from an appointment except if the individual has been granted a full and unconditional pardon for the felony. License Requirements: Possession of a valid California driver license, Class C or higher, is required prior to appointment to this class. Failure to maintain a valid license may constitute cause for personnel action. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Employees in this class who, as a part of their regularly assigned duties are required to operate a motor vehicle may be enrolled in the DMV Pull Notice Program. Physical Requirements: Positions in this class require the incumbents to: be able to meet medical standards as prescribed by P.O.S.T. and detailed in the P.O.S.T. Medical Screening Manual, possess sufficient physical ability to perform the full scope and functions of the job, including the ability to climb barriers, jump obstacles, and perform strenuous physical activities and control resisting subjects with a minimum of force necessary to effect an arrest, walk and run on uneven terrain, swim in swift water conditions. Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Working Conditions: Positions in this class require the incumbents to: work various shifts to provide 24-7 coverage, including nights, weekends and holidays, work outside in all types of climatic conditions including inclement or very hot weather, work around dust, dirt, noise, and odors, work alone for extended periods of time, work in areas of low illumination, wear and maintain a designated Park Ranger uniform; including department issued safety equipment such as a duty/gun belt, ballistic vest, respirator, etc.

Probationary Period The probationary period for this classification is twelve (12) months.