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Job Description
CAREER DESCRIPTION
PARK RANGER I
(Training Level Classification)
SALARY INFORMATION
In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive a salary range increase on the following date:
Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.0% increase
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list. This eligible list will be used to fill current and future Park Ranger I positions within OC Community Resources/OC Parks. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the deadline to apply will be on
Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM (PT).
THE OPPORTUNITY
Orange County (OC) Parks Park Rangers have the unique opportunity to protect and preserve nearly 60,000 acres of parks, open spaces, historic parks, and beaches in Orange County. OC Parks is tasked with maintaining these beautiful places for future generations to enjoy, and Park Rangers are vital to this effort. This fulfilling and worthwhile career offers the opportunity for educating the public, protecting the land, preserving natural spaces, and providing clean and safe recreational opportunities to millions of visitors each year.
The Park Ranger I class is the trainee-level classification in the Park Ranger Series. There is no permanent status at the Park Ranger I level. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate progressive proficiency by performing work with increasing independence in order to advance to the Park Ranger II level after a one-year appointment. The incumbent will be required to successfully complete the OC Parks Park Ranger Academy and field training program. The current Park Ranger II salary range is $29.51 to $39.77 per hour.
OC Parks Park Rangers work in a wide range and variety of environments from urban regional parks and beaches to remote wilderness areas. Many locations involve significant time outdoors in remote, rugged areas, while others manage busy urban regional parks. In addition, Park Rangers will be required to plan and conduct vehicle and foot patrols (i.e., determining patrol route and length, driving and/or walking through parks and recreation facilities). Determine and use appropriate action in the events of accidents, emergencies, and undesirable or illegal activity (e.g., violation of Orange County Codified Ordinances, unauthorized entry, vandalism or other property damage, and theft).
OC Parks' mission is to, "preserve and enhance OC Parks' natural and cultural resources for recreation, education and exploration.” OC Parks is responsible for the stewardship of nearly 60,000 acres of parkland, comprising 10% of Orange County's 948 square miles. The award-winning regional park system provides opportunities for recreation, exercise, education, and respite for Orange County's 3.19 million residents, and serves over 16.4 million visitors annually through activities and programs that are as diverse as the parks themselves. The OC Parks system includes: 15 regional urban parks with amenities such as fishing lakes, golf courses, an archery range, and the OC Zoo; seven wilderness parks with camping and equestrian facilities and nature centers; seven historic sites including the original County seat; two miles of beaches and coastal facilities including three recreational boating harbors; approximately 25,000 acres of protected open space with critical native habitat and nature trails; nearly 300 miles of regional bikeways and more than 500 miles of regional riding and hiking trails.
For more information on OC Parks , click on the link.
For more information on OC Community Resources , click on the link.
For more information on the County of Orange , click on the link.
OC Parks provides service to various locations seven days per week, 365 days per year. Candidates must be prepared to work weekends, evenings, nights and holidays. Due to the needs of the department, schedules are subject to change, and candidates must be prepared to work shifts as assigned. Candidates will be required to work overtime during their park ranger academy training, and in the event of an emergency, disaster, or during periods of unexpected staffing shortages.
Candidates will be required to successfully complete a mandatory six-month in-house Park Ranger Academy which includes subsequent field training. This mandatory training is required for a candidate to become an OC Parks Park Ranger, and therefore vacation requests will not be granted through the duration of the Academy or field training. Candidates will be required to work overtime during the Academy and while field training. During Academy and field training, discretionary leave is not allowed.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated knowledge of and/or extensive experience in the following core competencies.
Park Expertise- Knowledge of principles and techniques of operations and maintenance for urban, wilderness, natural, harbor, and beach facilities
- Possess an understanding of emergency vehicle operation, first responder/emergency medical/CPR, and principles of fire suppression
- Proficient with Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)
- Demonstrate basic accounting mathematical calculations for work-related functions
- Ability to effectively handle customers' questions and concerns
- Communicate effectively with the customer, handle service problems politely, and be available for customers
- Effectively follow procedures to solve customer problems, maintaining a pleasant and professional image
- Assigning, scheduling, and prioritizing work
- Adapting to changing assignments and priorities and managing those changes with affected parties
- Anticipating problems, mitigating risks, and procuring necessary resources
- Supervising staff and volunteers
- Serving as a personable and well-informed ambassador representing OC Parks
- Planning, preparing, and presenting historical, interpretive, recreational, and training programs
- Engaging and providing educational opportunities for all park visitors
- Communicating effectively to coordinate activities/programs with other agencies, parks, and staff members
- Utilizing skills in presenting information, analysis, ideas, and positions in a clear, succinct, accurate manner that is appropriate for the audience
- Engaging and communicating with people of all diverse backgrounds in recreational and educational environments
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for the full Park Ranger I classification specification.
License Required
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License or higher is required before the date of appointment.
Special Requirements- Special California Statutory Requirements for Employment as a Peace Officer/Park Ranger, including all medical and psychological protocols outlined by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
- Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Must not have been convicted of a felony or equivalent offense.
- Be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with the California Government Code. Candidates must have sufficient hearing and meet vision requirements, including best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye. Normal color vision, as determined by the Ishihara or other color vision test, is required to accurately identify colors when completing reports, conducting investigations, and recording vehicle colors for parking citations. Candidates with moderate to severe color blindness may test with reasonable accommodations and qualify if results indicate very mild to mild color blindness.
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process.
Online Assessment | Technical Skills Assessment | (Weighted 100%)
Candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications will be invited to participate in an online examination related to the essential job functions. The most successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list.
Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for current and future vacancies.
If you are referred to a selection interview and are selected as a top candidate, you will be referred to the extensive background investigation for this classification.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures. Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County will be required for this assignment.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Rula Dabit at 714.480.2884 or by email at Rula.Dabit@occr.ocgov.com .
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information
Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.
Closing Date/Time: 5/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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County of Orange
Show moreDiscover a Fulfilling Career at the County of Orange
With a population of over 3 million residents and 34 cities, Orange County is a thriving community known for its beautiful beaches, diverse culture, and strong economy. As the third-largest employer in the county, the County of Orange offers over 18,000 employees the opportunity to make a difference in their community and build a fulfilling career in public service.
As a County of Orange employee, you will have the chance to work in a variety of departments, each providing vital services to our community. From law enforcement and healthcare to public works and environmental protection, there is a wide range of career paths to explore. And with opportunities for advancement and professional growth, you can build a long and rewarding career with us.
As a top employer in the region, the County of Orange is committed to providing our employees with excellent benefits, including a competitive salary, flexible work schedules, and outstanding healthcare coverage. We also offer opportunities for career development and training, ensuring that our employees have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
Whether you're just starting your career or looking for a new challenge, the County of Orange is a great place to work. With a supportive and collaborative work environment, a commitment to excellence, and opportunities for growth and advancement, we invite you to join our team and make a difference in your community.
Community Impact:
Working for the County of Orange means you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community. Whether you're providing critical services to residents, protecting the environment, or maintaining public safety, your work will make a difference in the lives of those around you.
Employee Wellness:
At the County of Orange, we prioritize our employees' well-being. We offer telecommuting options, generous health benefits, and wellness programs to promote work-life balance. We believe that by taking care of our employee’s health and well-being, we can help them excel in their careers while still enjoying their personal lives and taking care of their families.
Innovation:
The County of Orange is committed to embracing new technologies and innovative approaches to service delivery. We encourage our employees to think creatively and find ways to improve our processes and systems. If you're someone who loves to problem-solve and think outside the box, you'll find a supportive and dynamic environment here.
Collaboration:
Collaboration is key to our success at the County of Orange. We value teamwork, communication, and mutual support, and we work together across departments and functions to achieve our goals. If you're someone who enjoys collaborating with others and building strong relationships, you'll find a welcoming and inclusive community here.
Equality:
At the County of Orange, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. Our Equity Policy reflects this commitment and guides our efforts to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do.
Career Advancement:
The County of Orange is dedicated to helping our employees grow and advance in their careers. We offer a variety of training and development opportunities to help our employees reach their full potential. If you're looking for a place to build a long and fulfilling career, the County of Orange is an excellent choice.
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