Park Ranger I/II- Open-Space - County of Riverside

ABOUT THE POSITION

The County of Riverside seeks candidates to fill positions throughout Riverside County. A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies.

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space district seeks a Park Ranger who will support multiple locations in the Riverside area. The Park Ranger is responsible for variety of maintenance, technical, and operational duties, with comprehensive training in park policies, state, and county laws, and ordinances. The role involves patrolling, enforcing county ordinances, and actively contributing to the upkeep of reserves. The responsibilities extend to the habitat restoration and invasive species removal, with significant emphasis in community engagement, including unhoused individuals.

The ideal candidate should have a background in open-space reserve, forestry, and parks, along with experience in park maintenance and enforcing policies, laws, and ordinances. It is highly desirable for the candidate to have relevant coursework in fire science, ecology, conservation, biology, geography (ArcGIS), environmental science, or a closely related field. Additionally, possessing a Qualified Applicator Certificate would be a plus.

Work locations include the following areas:

• Hidden Valley Wildlife Area
• Box Springs Mountain Reserve
• Other locations as needed

Work Schedule
5/40, Wednesday-Sunday, 11:30am to 8pm (Schedule subject to change based on department needs). This role demands flexibility in work hours, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Incumbents are expected to progress to the Park Ranger II level upon meeting the minimum qualifications for the higher level and satisfactory job performance.

The level at which the position will be filled is at the Department's discretion and contingent on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Park Ranger I$20.60 to $28.03 hourly

Park Ranger II$22.26 to $30.32 hourly

Meet the Team!The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is a nationally accredited agency who strives to be the regional leader in improving lives through people, parks, places, and programs. Their mission is to acquire, protect, develop, manage, and interpret for the inspiration, use, and enjoyment of all people, a well-balanced system of areas of outstanding scenic, recreational, and historic importance.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Park Ranger I
• Explain park policies, rules, regulations, and County ordinances; oversee the registration of park visitors, the collection of fees, the issuance of camping permits, and the assignment of the general public to various camping areas within the parks.

• Participate in custodial duties and the maintenance and cleanup of park structures and grounds; work with park maintenance personnel on minor construction, maintenance, repair, and improvement of park structures, facilities, and grounds.

• Answer public inquiries and complaints concerning park operations and maintenance.

• Provide assistance in emergency situations; maintain fire prevention standards and practices as established by the State Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention and the United States Forest Service.

• Patrol park areas to promote an orderly and congenial atmosphere among park visitors, and to resolve problems; issue warnings and citations under appropriate laws or ordinances for non-compliance of park regulations, and if needed, utilize law enforcement agencies to achieve compliance; may make appearances in court.

• Patrol open-space, wildlife habitat reserves, and conservation land to communicate and ensure compliance with park regulations, laws, and ordinances; work with maintenance personnel to maintain signs and access controls.

• Plan and participate in habitat creation and restoration; assist in the planning of prescribed burns with County, state, and federal fire agencies.

• Monitor and participate in court referral/ work release programs.

• Maintain records and prepare reports.

Park Ranger II
• Train assigned staff in the safe and effective promotion, protection, and utilization of park resources at assigned parks and open-space and wildlife preserves.

• Interpret and explain park policies, rules, regulations, and County ordinances; oversee the registration of park visitors, collection of fees, issuance of camping permits, and assignment of the general public to various camping areas within the parks.

• Assist in reviewing plans and specifications for park site projects and recommend modifications.

• Answer public inquiries and complaints concerning park and open-space operations and maintenance; provide assistance in emergency situations; maintain fire prevention standards and practices as established by the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the United States Forest Service.

• Patrol park areas to promote an orderly and congenial atmosphere among park visitors, and to resolve problems; issue warnings and citations under appropriate laws or ordinances for non-compliance of park regulations, and if needed, utilize law enforcement agencies to achieve compliance; may make appearances in court.

• Maintain records and prepare reports; requisition equipment and supplies; inform supervisor on progress of work and on observed performance and attendance of subordinates.

• Patrol open-space, wildlife habitat reserves, and conservation land to communicate and ensure compliance with park regulations, laws, and ordinances; work with maintenance personnel to maintain signs and access controls.

• Plan and participate in habitat creation and restoration; assist in the planning of prescribed burns with County, state, and federal fire agencies.

• Monitor and participate in court referral/work release program.

• Participate in custodial duties and the maintenance and cleanup of park structures and grounds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
PARK RANGER I

Experience: Two years of interacting with the public that included conflict resolution and customer service or customer support. (College coursework from an accredited college or university in public administration, park or recreation management, forestry, botany, environmental science, or a closely related field to the assignment may substitute for the required experience on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units equaling one year of full-time experience.)

Knowledge of:Principles and practices of natural resources conservation, park management, and general law enforcement; principles and practices of first aid and safety; methods and materials used in park interpretive programs.

Ability to: Read, interpret, and enforce appropriate laws and regulations in accordance with County policy; maintain records and prepare clear, complete, and concise reports; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with the public and other employees.

PARK RANGER II

Option I
Education:Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in public administration, park or recreation management, forestry, botany, environmental science, or a closely related field to the assignment.

Option II
Experience:Three years of working in the operations, maintenance, development, or protection of a park, forest, or public recreational or historical area. (College coursework from an accredited college or university in public administration, park or recreation management, forestry, botany, environmental science, or a closely related field may substitute for up to three years of the required experience on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units equaling one year of full-time experience.)

Option III
Experience: One year as a Park Ranger I with the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District.

All Options
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of natural resources conservation, park management, and general law enforcement; principles and practices of first aid and safety.

Ability to: Read, interpret, and enforce appropriate laws and regulations in accordance with County policy; train subordinates in park and open-space procedures; maintain records and prepare clear, complete, and concise reports; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with the public and other employees.

PARK RANGER I/II REQUIREMENTS
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Incumbents must possess valid certificates in First Aid and CPR/AED. Within the first six months of employment, incumbents must successfully complete P.C. 832. Within one year of employment, incumbents must possess a valid certificate in Basic Water Rescue issued by the American Red Cross or YMCA.

Assessment:Candidates will be required to take a general abilities assessment prior to being considered for any Park Ranger I/II position.

For those positions designated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) as safety-sensitive, applicants are required to complete a DOT mandated alcohol and drug-screening. (A positive test or refusal to test during the past two years will disqualify an applicant from consideration for County employment). Reference checks from former DOT regulated employers are also required. Applicants must submit a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record prior to hire.

Employees in safety-sensitive positions are subject to DOT alcohol/drug testing in the following situations: random, reasonable suspicion/cause, return-to-duty, and post-accident

Physical Requirements:
Ability to patrol parks and perform maintenance.
Exposure to extreme hot, cold, and wet weather for long periods of time. The position requires extensive hiking, prolonged kneeling/bending, ability to lift or carry, and move or manipulate objects/equipment.

Exposure to living and dead wild and domestic animals and noxious plants including rattlesnakes, bees/wasps, mountain lions, dogs, poison oak, and stinging nettle.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Veterans' Preference The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here (Download PDF reader) .

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/ .

Education/Required DocumentsGuidelines: Upload a copy of any official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).

What's Next?
This recruitment is open to all applicants.

Applicants who are current department employees may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of the applications received.

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. No late applications will be permitted.

GENERAL INFORMATION
For specific questions regarding this position, contact Sonya Portillo at sportillo@rivco.org .

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627..

BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.

GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com . A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
• Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2023, the employee contribution is 8.25% and subject to change annually.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.