Recreation and Parks - Park Ranger II

Full Job Description

A vacancy exists in the Department of Recreation and Parks for a Park Ranger II.

Pay Schedule VI, Grade 28, Regular Schedule: 35 hours per week

Definition of Responsibility
Responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising recreation and parks programs within an assigned park region.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring within this class may be filled from the list of eligible applicants. All interested transfer and promotional candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered.

A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You must attach your transcript(s), or degree(s), and/or certification(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of professional Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered.

Proof of license(s), certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Requirements

Job Purpose
Under general supervision, organizes and supervises specialized park safety and security to ensure compliance with park rules, regulations, and ordinances.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Patrols county parklands and facilities by vehicle, bicycle, or on foot to maintain public safety and to ensure compliance with rules, regulations, and ordinances.

• May issue warnings and citations.

• Assists, as necessary, law enforcement agencies in crime prevention and reporting, search and rescue operations, parking and traffic regulations, and accident investigation.

• Maintains a cooperative liaison with county police and other law enforcement agencies.

• Maintains contact with other Department of Recreation and Parks employees and the county Police Department.

• Investigates violations, prepares reports, secures evidence, and testifies in court, as necessary.

• Assists Park patrons and visitors by answering questions relative to park amenities, programs, and rules and regulations.

• Cooperates with community and service groups in clean-up and park beautification projects.

• Assists other park staff in areas such as crowd control and traffic control.

• Receives training as a first responder.

• May render assistance and first aid prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel.

• Liaison with local wildlife rehabilitators, Bureau of Animal Services, or Department of Natural Resources for injured or deceased wildlife.

• Ensures safety standards and required maintenance and/or custodial services are provided at sites.

• Coordinates and assists, as necessary, in the maintenance of buildings, grounds, and equipment.

• Inspects sites to ensure that facilities and equipment are in proper condition and that safety standards are maintained.

• Ensures proper usage and care of facilities requiring a permit and resolves permit disputes.

• Sets priorities, interprets departmental policy, and manages the site.

• Prepares budget estimates and assists in preparing financial statements.

• Assists in the purchase, inventory, and storage of supplies and equipment.

• Compiles program and facility reports as needed.

• Trains, supervises, and coordinates the work of subordinate full- and part-time staff and volunteers.

• Develops, supervises, and implements interpretive programs in partnership.

• Publicizes recreation and parks programs in newspapers and distributes informational materials to a variety of media sources and outlets.

• Attends meetings of civic and social organizations in the community.

Examples of Other Duties

• Assists with the inspection of facilities.

• Assists with various maintenance duties essential to the operation of the parks within the assigned region.

• Performs other related duties as required

NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.

Qualifications

Training and Experience
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and parks, park management, forestry, a social science, education, history, or a closely related field.
Plus
Three years of experience in forest or park management, recreation or natural resources management, law enforcement, or preparing, developing, or delivering programs that interpret natural, historical, cultural, or recreational features.
Or
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in the field of park management, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences, or a natural resources-related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Additional qualifying experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Entry Level)

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of conducting naturalist, environmental, historical, and related recreation and parks programs and activities.

• Knowledge of natural history, botany, zoology, and land and wildlife management.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of nature center, environmental center, and historical center operations.

• Skill in conducting naturalist, environmental, historical, and/or related recreation and parks programs.

• Skill in providing environmental education.

• Skill in working with individuals and the public.

• Ability to plan, organize, develop, and direct naturalist, environmental, and historical programs.

• Ability to plan, coordinate, and direct the operation and maintenance of a recreation and parks nature, environmental, or historical center.

• Ability to supervise staff.

• Ability to recruit, train, and guide volunteers.

• Ability to represent the department at meetings and community events.

• Ability to prepare reports.

• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with recreation and parks councils, community groups, the public, other agencies, and co-workers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance)

• Knowledge of County and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of departmental recreation and parks programs, services, and operations.

• Skill in planning, organizing, developing, and directing naturalist, environmental, and historical programs.

• Skill in planning, coordinating, and directing the operation and maintenance of a recreation and parks nature, environmental, or historical center.

• Skill in supervising staff.

• Skill in recruiting, training, and guiding volunteers.

• Skill in representing the department at meetings and community events.

• Skill in preparing reports.

• Skill in communicating effectively.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a valid driver’s license equivalent to a noncommercial, class C Maryland driver’s license is required at the time of appointment.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education
Applicants are required to submit proof of professional licenses, certifications, and education to meet the required qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant’s major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of professional Licenses, Certifications and Education may result in your application not being considered.

Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org)

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Park Ranger II
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204

You must attach your transcript(s), or degree(s), and/or certification(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Additional Information

Employees in this classification may be assigned to work nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Physical and Environmental Conditions
The work of this classification entails some physical labor, including walking over rough and uneven surfaces in the inspection of facilities and grounds, infrequent exposure to adverse weather in the conducting of outdoor public programs and events, and some lifting and carrying in preparing for programs and events.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for an appointment to a position in Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination and drug screen and an employment background investigation, including, but not limited to, a criminal background, education, and fingerprint check.