City Ranger (Park Services Officer I And II)

OPPORTUNITY

OPEN: April 17, 2024

CLOSE: May 13, 2024 at 8:00 AM

The City of Santa Maria invites applications for the Recreation and Parks Department for the position of City Ranger (Park Services Officer I and II job class).

To learn more about this opportunity, please register to attend an information session on May 2, 2024 at noon. Attendance is highly recommended. Interested parties are required to register in order to participate in the virtual information session

Register at the below link:

Information Meeting Registration Form

WHO WE ARE:

The City of Santa Maria is a full-service city with a Council/Manager form of government with over 700 employees and serves approximately 108,000 constituents. The City is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The community is a harmonious balance of coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions and is near locally accessible beaches.

WHAT WE DO:

The City Rangers enforce applicable City ordinances, government codes, and state laws relating to the use of parks and public facilities within the city limits, and City owned properties outside city limits. In addition to law enforcement, City Rangers perform important safety and service functions. This position conducts limited safety inspections at patrol locations, documents deficiencies, communicates necessary follow-up tasks to designated staff, and takes action in the field to make temporary safety modifications as needed.

THE POSITION:

There are currently a total of THREE vacancies that are expected to be filled with this recruitment. Two (2) vacancies to fill Park Services Officer I and one (1) vacancy to fill the Park Services Officer II position. NOTE: the Park Services Officer II vacancy is grant funded with term authorized through June 30, 2026.

The ideal candidate will possess a team-oriented work ethic and the ability to make independent decisions under the supervision of the Park Services Officer III and the Senior Park Services Officer. The will have the ability to prepare a variety of reports, both orally and written. They will place an emphasis on quality of customer service and the needs of the community.

REQUIRED SUBMITTAL:

• Cover Letter highlighting interest in the position

DUTIES

The City Ranger (Park Services Officer I, and II) position is an Individual Contributor role that prevents and enforces violations of the Municipal Code regulating public health and safety in city parks and facilities. Their role enables City of Santa Maria residents to enjoy a healthy, safe and pleasant environment in which to live, work and play.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION:

City Ranger (Park Services Officer i job class) Salary Range: $1,841.76 - $2,238.67 (biweekly)

City Ranger (Park Services Officer II job class) Salary Range: $2,234.79 - $2,716.40 (biweekly)

Offer of employment at appropriate leveI will depend on qualifications and experience, and the vacancy of position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Park Services Officer Level I :

Ideally, one year of work experience in park maintenance, security operations, law enforcement and/or high public contact positions; and

• Graduation from high school with one year of college level courses.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Completion of a college level police report writing course is desired.

• Enrollment in or completion of a Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) program is desired.

• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:

• General law enforcement, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations related to public use of parks and facilities.

• Rules of evidence, laws relating to search and seizure, arrest and control techniques, and applicable state and local laws.

• Effective supervision.

• Sound patrol techniques for parks, facilities, and open spaces.

• Effective techniques for dealing with individuals of various ages and from various ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic groups

• Materials, equipment and tools used in the maintenance and operation of grounds, buildings, and open spaces; principles of first aid and safety.

• Basic budget and record keeping methods.

• Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

• Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).

• Use computer and other office equipment effectively.

Licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment.

• PC 830/832 course certified by POST.

• American Red Cross certification in first aid, CPR/AED and Water Safety certification.

Park Services Officer

• Level II:

• Ideally, two years of work experience in security operations, law enforcement and/or high public contact positions; and

• Graduation from high school with one year of college level courses.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Enrollment in or completion of a Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) program is highly desirable.

• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:

• General law enforcement, and codes, ordinances, rules and regulations related to public use of parks and facilities.

• Rules of evidence, laws relating to search and seizure, arrest and control techniques, and applicable state and local laws.

• Sound patrol techniques for parks, facilities, and open spaces.

• Effective techniques for dealing with individuals of various ages and from various ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic groups.

• Materials, equipment and tools used in the maintenance and operation of grounds, buildings, and open spaces.

• First aid and safety.

• Basic budget and record keeping methods.

• Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

• Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).

• Use computer and other office equipment effectively.

Licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment, such as:

• PC 830/832 course certified by POST required upon hire.

• American Red Cross certification in first aid, CPR/AED and Water Safety certification upon hire or within 90 days of employment.

DESIRED CORE COMPETENCIES

Individual Contributor:

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance (click the hyper link to see the full definition Individual Contributor Competencies):

• Team Player

• Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.

• Customer Orientation

• Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs.

• Integrity

• Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.

• Communicativeness

• Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange and the competitive advantage it brings. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information, even across great distances. They take responsibility for ensuring that their people have the current and accurate information needed for success.

• Initiative

• Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They do not wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen.

• Composure

• Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.

• Functional/Technical Expertise

• Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.), and remain current in their area of expertise.

• Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.

• Learning Agility

• Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.

• Drive/Energy

• Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.

SELECTION PROCESS

IMPORTANT: The selected candidate(s) will be required to undergo an in-depth background investigation similar to law enforcement officers. This may include pre-employment background investigation, Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint check, physical exam, psychological exam, and polygraph.

In addition to your completed application, a cover letter is required as part of the application process. If a cover letter is not attached, your application will be considered incomplete.

The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral interview that may also include a written exercise. Those applicants invited to interview will be notified electronically at the e-mail address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment. A tentative oral interview date has been scheduled for week of May 27, 2024. The oral panel will recommend the most qualified candidates to Eligibility List from where the new City Ranger may be selected. The Eligibility List will be established for future vacancies.

If you have further job-related questions, please contact staff in the HR Division at 805-925-0951 x2203. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties, please call the NEOGOV help line for technical assistance at 1-855-524-5627.