Senior Park Ranger

Salary : $100,283.04 - $121,359.68 Annually

Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 25-T08-A

Department : Parks & Recreation

Opening Date : 02 / 12 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 12 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit : 45

Description

Under direction, to provide lead supervision to Park personnel, including sworn Park Rangers, and to participate in the improvement, maintenance, protection, general law enforcement and day to day operation of a county park unit(s).

The Senior Park Ranger is responsible for the implementation of Parks programs and policies through the lead supervision of subordinate personnel within a park unit. Responsibilities include patrolling an assigned area, interpretive education, volunteer coordination, natural resource management, general park operations, and providing information to the public. The Senior Park Ranger works in coordination and collaboration with the Senior Park Maintenance Worker in the unit, as well as supervisors of the region, to ensure the Department meets the recreation, trail, and natural area needs of the public by achieving the vision of the parks system.

In order to qualify for the Senior Park Ranger position, applicant MUST possess a current California Penal Code Section 832 Powers of Arrest Certificate at the time of application, and a copy of the certification must be attached to the electronic application.

A letter from a certified swim instructor issued within the last 12 months, verifying the ability to swim one hundred (100) yards within five (5) minutes, is also required and must be attached to the application as well.

Typical Tasks

• Leads, monitors and assigns the work of Park Ranger and other personnel engaged in implementing park programs and in enforcing appropriate laws, park rules and regulations in accordance with County policy;
• Conducts interpretative programs and manages resource projects;
• Monitors park entrances and exits and collects fees;
• Reviews and evaluates the work of park personnel, answers procedural and work related questions and resolves work related problems within set guidelines;
• Facilitates, plans, attends and conducts or assists in conducting meetings, information exchange sessions, staff briefings, training classes and new employee orientations and may make public, written and / or oral presentations, etc.;
• Ensures the proper use and maintenance of resources and equipment allocated to subordinate personnel;
• May participate in the interview process for new workers;
• May plan, assign and direct the work of wards of the court, volunteers and other special work crews and inmate programs;
• Patrols assigned and / or other park or recreational area;
• Greets park visitors, provides information and directs them to specific areas;
• Prepares and provides budget recommendations and implements and monitors the assigned park budget;
• Assists in developing, interpreting and implementing division, unit and program policies, procedures and standards;
• Initiates custodial maintenance as necessary and reports maintenance problems;
• Plans, develops, markets and interprets the natural and historical features of park areas;
• Maintains records and prepares reports;
• Plans and coordinates special events;
• Issues warnings and citations under appropriate laws or ordinances and may make arrests;
• Responds to all serious incidents and crimes which occur on shift and takes charge of the scene or provides assistance within the scope of departmental policies and procedures;
• Initiates joint command structures based on severity of emergency;
• Rescues and provides aid to stranded and / or injured park visitors;
• Performs initial fire size-up and suppression response duties;
• Conducts investigations and reconstructs accident scenes;
• Ensures accuracy of bank deposits and accounting of daily use fees and related charges;
• May make court appearances;
• May work with park maintenance personnel in minor construction, maintenance and repair of park structures, facilities and grounds;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Possession of a two (2) year degree from an accredited college. Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college is desirable.

Two (2) years experience as a Park Ranger.

Possession of a valid California driver's license and an acceptable driving record that will qualify for a County driver's permit at the time of appointment.

Certificates

Special Requirements

Must meet all required minimum standards for peace officers as described in the Government Code Sections 1029, 1030 and 1031, and including but not limited to :

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits

The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account

The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D

The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial / legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness

The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement

A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Please include the name of employers, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week for questions asking about work experience.

Do you understand these requirements?

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

This position requires that you possess a current California Penal Code Section 832 Powers of Arrest Certificate. Do you have a PC832 Certificate? If yes, please attach the PC832 Certificate to your electronic application. Your application will be rejected without this attachment.

This position requires the ability to swim one hundred (100) yards within five (5) minutes and requires a verification letter from a certified swim instructor issued within the last twelve (12) months. Do you possess this verification letter? If "yes," please attach the swim letter to your electronic application. Your application will be rejected without this attachment.

How many years of experience do you possess as a Park Ranger?

Describe your experience as a Park Ranger. Be detailed and specific, and include name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties performed. If none, indicate "N / A."

Have you attended a Park Ranger Academy? If so, provide the name of the academy and the dates attended. If none, indicate "N / A."

Describe your experience planning, organizing, and directing the work of others. Be detailed and specific, and include name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties performed. If none, indicate "N / A."

Describe your experience training, coaching, and mentoring assigned staff. Be detailed and specific, and include name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties performed. In none, indicate "N / A."

If hired, are you willing to work weekends, holidays, or other irregular hours?

If hired, are you willing to conform to departmental uniform standards, including wearing and maintaining a department uniform?

Have you used any of the drugs listed below within the last five (5) years ? Please select all that apply.

If you selected any of the drugs in the previous question, please indicate the date last used for each substance. If not applicable, indicate "N / A."

Have you ever used any other illegal drugs not listed above?

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, what was the drug and the the date last used within the last five (5) years? If you selected "no," indicate "N / A."

When was the last time you were present where illegal drugs were being used? List the type(s) of drug(s) and the location where it occurred. If none, indicate "N / A."

Have you ever manufactured any form of drug?

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, explain the circumstances and include the relevant dates. If you answered no, indicate "N / A."

How did you find out about this job?

If you selected an event / fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type n / a.

I certify that the answers provided in this questionnaire are true and complete.

Required Question

Salary : $100,283 - $121,360