Part Time Urban Park Ranger - City of Newton

Job Description

Primary Purpose:

The Urban Park Ranger assists the City’s mission to provide quality active and passive recreation opportunities through enforcing the rules, ordinances, and regulations of the City of Newton. The Urban Park Ranger will monitor all activities in Newton parks, including athletic fields, sport courts, natural aquatic locations, and conservation areas and conduct permit compliance checks.  The ranger works with other team members of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture under the direction of the of Parks, Recreation & Culture. This position will build meaningful relationships with our citizens and visitors at our parks through active engagement, visibility, and communication. This position will help the City ensure our parks are welcoming to all Newton residents and visitors through the increase of education of the rules, regulations, and ordinances related to City Parks and other facilities and open space areas. Ultimately, through helping park users understand the spaces they are visiting, the Department will improve the quality of life for all Newton residents and visitors. This position will be visible and present in all of our city parks, athletic fields, and certain conservation areas. 

This part-time position operates year round, though will not work more than 19.5 hours per week. Scheduling of shifts is based on the operational needs of the department and may include weekdays, weekends, week nights, etc. 

Essential Functions:

• Develop relationships with park visitors and users, as well as relevant community service providers to ensure all visitors gain the full benefits of our park system.
• Conduct routine inspections of park facilities, athletic fields, recreational lighting systems, natural aquatic areas (Crystal Lake) and other recreational areas, including evening visits to ensure patrons are adhering to the policies and ordinances of the parks and open space areas.
• Completes required paperwork, including but not limited to; first report of incident, log of activities, onsite inspections, etc.
• Encourage and monitor adherence to ordinances, rules, and regulations, with special attention to off-leash dogs, alcohol, smoking, noise violations, field and sport court permitting compliance.
• Work in-conjunction with other City Departments, as well as social service organizations to assist in the data collection and possible necessary actions of encountering homelessness in our parks and waterfront areas.
• Support vandalism documentation and removal within our park and waterfront system. Manage the research, purchase, and maintenance of first aid and safety equipment for the Urban Park Ranger, ensure compliance with OSHA and SDS.
• Respond to inquiries regarding facility and park uses, resolve conflicts that arise between users with competing agendas or needs, convey, and enforce facility rules, etc.
• Successfully mitigate user issues that may arise through direct communication and effective customer service methods.
• Participate and assist in coordinating City initiatives or events as required.
• Position may require the operation of City vehicles and/or personal vehicles to conduct City business.
• Assist with opening and closing parks and facilities to ensure operability.
• Communicate with the Newton Police Department as needed.

Secondary Elements – Urban Park Ranger

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required; reasonable accommodations will be considered.
• Experience in conflict resolution, remediation, public service is preferred.
• Additional experience may be substituted for a degree requirement on a two-for-one per year basis.
• Ability to work flexible hours when the position requires to meet the changing demands of activity in the parks. Shift times will adjust due to seasonal needs. Shift times will be 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM April 1st to November 15th Monday through Friday, or 8:30 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday, then one weekday at 4:30 to 8:30 PM depending on weekly facility permitting as determined by Manager.
• Regular attendance is necessary and is essential to meeting the expectations of the job functions.
• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules and personnel policies.
• Ability to work varied shift times, including some late nights, holidays and weekends.
• Ability to act as an ambassador of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all users in line with the Department’s goals and objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide professional and courteous customer service.
• Ability to manage ever-changing situations quickly and reasonably required.
• Ability to work in and around water required and work outside in all types of weather.
• Must be first aid certified or have the ability to become so within 6 months after being hired.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

• Associate degree from two-year college or university with studies in education, criminal justice, recreational management, facilities management, communications, or environmental studies, or other related fields. Must have experience working with elected and appointed officials and community engagement. Massachusetts Class D driver's license is required. 2 years experience required with at least one year in a supervisory or leadership capacity preferred.
• Operation of a City vehicle or personal vehicle to conduct City business without providing proof of a valid driver's license to Human Resources will not be permitted. A valid driver’s license shall be defined as a current state of residence-issued license to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways. Position also requires the ability to be covered under the City’s vehicle insurance policy prior to operation of any City vehicles or non-City vehicles for City business.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:   

Language / Communication Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, or regulatory agencies. Ability to write/document information that conforms to prescribed style and format. Ability to present information effectively, which may be controversial in nature, to all levels including clients, groups of clients, families, top management, outside agencies, public groups, or employees of the City. Additional language abilities in addition to English a plus.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems and use judgement to work toward results, modify methods/techniques and make recommendations dealing with several abstract and concrete variables within clearly defined laws, precedents, and policies.

Computer Skills

Must be able to operate a personal computer and technical software, such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and other industry specific programs.

A strong commitment to public service required. 

Physical requirements/work environment:

Work is performed under outdoor conditions; the noise level is moderate at most times. Essential functions are regularly performed with exposure to adverse environmental conditions. 

Must be able to work on a fast-paced environment that requires multi-tasking, flexibility, and extensive interpersonal interactions and occasionally climb or lift up to 50 pounds. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Operates computers, printers, facsimile machine, copier, calculator, telephone, and standard office equipment.

Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers. 

Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion, and professional office protocols. 

Errors in judgment or omissions could result in considerable confusion and delay, have a continuing adverse effect on the City’s ability to deliver services, be costly to correct and cause significant adverse public relations.

Performance Standard:

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus.  The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset.  To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.  We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities.  We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.  We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees.  And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

•   Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
•   Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
•   Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
•   Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
•   Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
•   Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

This is a non-benefited position