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Seasonal Park Ranger I

Salary
$16.31 – $19.99 Hourly
Location
City of Olympia, WA
Job Type
Temporary 6 Months
Department
Parks, Arts and Recreation
Job Number
1800004
Closing
Continuous
Job
About the Position
The Park Stewardship Program is seeking two  individuals to successfully make a presence, be welcoming to all and promote positive behaviors in Olympia’s parks.  The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting full time park rangers in routine patrols, educating the public about park rules and regulations, supporting recreational programming, and helping keep the parks and facilities clean.

NOTE:  This position does not offer employee benefits except for what may be required by law, i.e. workers compensation.  Employment in this position will not exceed five months.  This position will work between 30-40 hours per week. The intended start date for the position is April 19, 2018.

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate profile includes:

  • Effective written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate good judgment under pressure.
  • One year of professional park experience or education.
  • The ability to handle emotionally charged situations with tact and diplomacy.
  • The ability to take direction work with and take direction from senior staff.

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 February 14, 2018.
  • 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.

Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills
The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:

  1. Responsible for enforcing the City’s Park code, park rules and regulations, and other codes as directed.
  2. Responsible for supporting the Ranger IIs with; patrols, documentation, and park clean-up.
  3. He or she will work with citizens, volunteers, neighborhood homeowner’s association, and the general public in compliance of the City’s park code and rules.
  4. Assist with special events such as setting up barricades, traffic control, delivering and setting up equipment and materials.
  5. The Park Ranger I may have to work an alternate schedule to include weekends and evenings.
  6. Keep and prepare timely, accurate, thorough records for court hearings; 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.
Minimum qualifications & Requirements
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

  1. Knowledge of local regulations pertaining to park code.
  2. Knowledge of general parks maintenance.
  3. Knowledge of computers and current office software applications, such as, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and E-mail.
  4. Ability to organize workload and meet deadlines.
  5. Ability to keep accurate, detailed records.
  6. Ability to communicate technical information and requirements in a clear and accurate and understandable manner.
  7. Ability to diffuse potentially confrontational situations and resolve disputes.
  8. Ability to adapt to changing techniques, technology, and codes.
  9. Ability to recognize conditions that may jeopardize personal safety.

Education/Experience:

  1. Knowledge of laws, regulations and procedures related Federal, State, and Local park code enforcement.
  2. One year of experience or education in law enforcement, parks law enforcement, criminal justice, parks and recreation, program administration preferred.
  3. Must be 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 be able to obtain, a valid First Aid/CPR/AED card.
  4. Must successfully pass pre-employment drug-testing.
  5. Successful completion of criminal background investigation is required prior to hire.
Supplemental information
Contacts:

  1. 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 I to de-escalate the situation.
  3. Skill in gaining compliance while maintaining cooperative work relationships is essential.
  4. The Park Ranger I works with other City Departments, State, and local regulatory agencies, to ensure accurate and consistent enforcement.

Supervision:

  1. May supervise the work of volunteers and/or interns.

Accountability:

  1. The Park Ranger I 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. Requires 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, mudded sites and may involve hazards such as exposure to potentially dangerous’ animals, animal bites, and hazardous waste.
  4. This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, lift heavy objects, and maneuver steep and uneven terrain.
  5. Protective gear is required for job duties.
  6. Complaint response may involve the potential for confrontations, physical violence, and/or difficult conversation with irate members of the public.
  7. 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.

An overview of the City of Olympia benefits can be viewed on our Employment Benefits webpage.
01
How many years of professional experience do you have working in parks, natural resources, and/or recreation?

  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year or more
02
Are you available to work an alternate schedule that would include evenings and/or weekends?

  • Yes
  • No
03
How often do you interact with the public professionally?

  • Never
  • Once a week or less
  • Multiple times a week, but not daily
  • Daily
04
Do you have professional experience in a law enforcement setting?

  • No
  • Yes
05
What is your highest level of education completed?

  • High School diploma or GED
  • Some college
  • 2 year college degree or higher
06
In one paragraph, explain what strengths, experience and/or education you would bring to the position.
07
In one paragraph, explain how you would promote positive behaviors in parks while ensuring compliance with park code.

Required Question

Agency
City of Olympia
Address
PO Box 1967

Olympia, Washington, 98507.

Phone
360-753-8305