Seasonal Park Ranger

Park Rangers serve as ambassadors for the natural world, fostering a positive experience for all park users. This position offers great experience for someone interested in or has a background in the fields of anthropology, biology, natural resources, conservation, criminal justice, or who find value in outdoor experiences, environmental stewardship, and meaningful work.

What we're looking for: Enthusiastic, motivated individuals to be part of our seasonal Park Ranger team. Under general supervision, Park Rangers patrol city parks and recreation areas, to include water recreation areas, such as City Tube Chute, Last Tubers Exit and River Acres Park. This position is responsible for visitor and resource protection, park security, park interpretation, park permits, visitor education, maintenance, and repair duties.

What will you gain from this role?

• Make a difference by fostering a connection between people and nature.
• Develop skills in customer service, outdoor education, relationship building and problem solving.
• Contribute to preserving natural resources and protecting ecosystems.
• Team-building working alongside like-minded individuals who share similar passions.
  
  

The Responsibilities You'll Be Trusted With

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Must be available weekends and summer holidays, with some weekday availability.
• Assists in ensuring the public and the community experience safe use of park and recreation areas and water recreation areas.
• Patrols all parks and recreational areas, providing safety and security for all users by means of one or more of the following modes: on foot (walking and/or hiking), on bicycle (on roadways, sidewalks and uneven terrain), and in a City vehicle.
• Greets the public with a friendly and professional manner and appearance; answers questions, checks reserved areas, provides directions, and issues picnic permits.
• Ensures the public compliance of local regulations, permits, and ordinances through education, warnings and notice of violations as directed.
• Provides maintenance services such as trash/litter pick-up and removal, clean and restock bathrooms, etc.
• Assists in ensuring safe travel through park areas by setting up and removing barricades, directing traffic, and assisting with crowd control, as directed.
• Recognizes, avoids, and reports unsafe acts, conditions, accidents, and injuries; completes daily activity log, cash management reports, accident/incident reports and graffiti/vandalism reports.
• May be assigned to cash handling duties in various parks locations, to include water recreation areas.
• May present education and information programs for community and school projects; teaches and counsels the public on department activities and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme heat; is subject to standing for extended periods of time; swimming, bicycling on roadways, sidewalks, and uneven terrain; must be able to safely pull, push, lift and carry items weighing up to forty (40) pounds.
• Must be able to work irregular hours including weekends, holidays, and evenings on any assigned shift. Work hours will be primarily weekends and holidays.
• May be required to work immediately before, during or after an emergency or disaster.
• At all times, while on duty, Park Rangers shall be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to assume and competently perform all duties.
• NOTE: This position is designated safety and/or security sensitive.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; Must be eighteen (18) years of age; two (2) years of customer service/public interaction experience is required.
  
  

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.
• Must possess or be able to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment: Community First Aid and Safety/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. We can help certify you!
  
  

Required Knowledge of

• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• City, county, and state, regulations, codes, and ordinances.
• Geography, roads, and landmarks of city, parks, and surrounding areas.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
  
  

Required Skill in

• Exercising controlled discretion, communicating with the public and mediating difficult situations in a professional manner.
• Safe and efficient operation and maintenance of City vehicles and equipment, including but not limited to: bicycle (on- and off-road), according to standard operating and safety procedures.
• Must be able to swim.
• Promoting and enforcing safe work practices.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Working as a team member.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with city employees, patrons, and the public.
• Effective communication, both verbal and written.
• Effective operation of a 2-way radio.
• Effective cash handling and reconciliation.
• Successfully complete specialized training as directed.