About the Position
Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation is seeking an individual to successfully make a presence, be welcoming to all and promote positive behaviors in Olympia’s parks. The successful candidate will be responsible for educating the public about park rules and regulations, supporting park programming, serving warning notices, and helping keep the parks and facilities clean.

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate profile includes:

• Experience in effectively communicating with diverse community groups and individuals including those who may be in crisis, emotionally charged, or under the influence of a controlled substance or alcohol.
• Experience defusing hostile situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Professional enforcement related experience.
• Experience working in an urban parks setting.
• Ability to successfully work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience using Microsoft Office to include:  Excel, Outlook, Word and Access.

To Apply

• Submit a resume and cover letter by attaching them to your electronic application.
• The cover letter must be no more than two pages long and include specific examples of how you meet the Ideal Candidate Profile (above).
• This is a continuous recruitment.  In order to be eligible for the first round of interviews submit your application by 5 pm November 15, 2017.
• Only electronic applications are accepted.

Contact Information
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, contact Sylvana Niehuser, Park Stewardship Supervisor, at (360) 753-8365 or via email at sniehuse@ci.olympia.wa.us.

The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:

1. Responsible for promoting public awareness and enforcing the City’s park codes, rules and regulations and other codes as directed.
2. The Park Ranger II will patrol all park properties regularly, log daily patrols, receive and investigate complaints.
3. The Park Ranger II may write reports and set up case files in the City’s HTE computer system, prepare correspondence, document phone conversations, and issue citations as needed.
4. The Park Ranger II works with citizens, volunteers, neighborhood homeowner associations, and the general public in enforcing the City’s park codes and rules.
5. The Park Ranger II may have to work an alternate schedule to include weekends and evenings.
6. Keep and prepare timely, accurate, thorough records for court hearings; may testify in court on park code enforcement cases.
7. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Requirements:

1. See, hear, communicate verbally, and ability to make rational decisions through logic and deductive processes 100% of the time.
2. Stand approximately 60% of the time.
3. Walk approximately 50% of the time on uneven terrain.
4. Lift up to 40 lbs approximately 10% of the time.
5. Bend, pull, and push approximately 20% of the time.
6. Drive approximately 50% of the time.
7. Sit approximately 50% of the time.
8. Look at a computer screen and type approximately 40% of the time.
9. Sit and stand intermittently approximately 40% of the time.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

1. Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to park code and enforcement.
2. Knowledge of de-escalation and defensive tactics.
3. Knowledge of code compliance methods, inspection and investigative techniques.
4. Knowledge of computers and current office software applications such as, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and e-mail.
5. Skill in excellent communications, both in writing and orally.
6. Skill in timely and excellent record keeping.
7. Skill in educating others to comply with codes and/or ordinances.
8. Ability to communicate technical information and requirements in a clear, accurate, and understandable manner.
9. Ability to diffuse potentially confrontational situations and resolve disputes.
10. Ability to adapt to changing techniques, technology, and codes.
11. Ability to recognize conditions that may jeopardize personal safety.
12. Ability and willingness to work variable shifts including nights, weekends, special events and holidays.

Education/Experience:

1. Knowledge of laws, regulations and procedures related to federal, state, and local park code enforcement required.
2. Any combination equivalent to A.A or A.S., degree in law enforcement, parks law enforcement, criminal justice, parks and recreation, program/public administration and a minimum of one year of Ranger (or related) experience with a public agency.
3. Additional related experience may be substituted for the degree on a year for year basis.
4. Must be at least a high school graduate or possess a GED.

Special Requirements:

1. Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
2. Possession of a valid Washington State Driver’s License is required and is a condition of continued employment.
3. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid First Aid/CPR/Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) card.
4. Successful completion of criminal background investigation required prior to hire.
5. Successfully complete the Field Training Program and a 6 month probationary period for continued employment.

Contacts:

1. The Park Ranger II has daily contact with the general public, including: park visitors, persons who may be in crisis, program participants, property owners, and City staff; for the purpose of information sharing and gathering.
2. These contacts may be confrontational and require the Park Ranger II to resolve both technical and interpersonal issues while ensuring compliance.
3. Skill in gaining compliance while maintaining cooperative work relationships is essential.
4. The Park Ranger II may work with other City departments, state, and local regulatory agencies, to ensure accurate and consistent enforcement.

Supervision:

1. The Park Ranger II may supervise the work of seasonal staff and/or volunteers.
2. May assist in the training, supervision and evaluation of less experienced workers.

Accountability:

1. The Park Ranger II is accountable to the Park Stewardship Supervisor for the performance of all assigned duties and responsibilities, and, via effective and consistent park code enforcement, for the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

Working Conditions:

1. The Park Ranger II may work in hazardous areas, including: climbing in, on, under, and around heavy equipment; steep terrain; and in confined spaces.
2. Typical assignments are performed outside and in a park setting including remote locations.
3. Patrols and field work may involve inclement weather, muddy sites, and may involve hazards such as exposure to potentially dangerous animals, animal bites, and hazardous waste.
4. Protective gear is required for some job duties.
5. Complaint response may involve the potential for confrontations, physical violence, and/or difficult conversation with irate members of the public.
6. Some work is performed in an office setting.

The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce.  Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.