PRINCIPAL COUNTY PARK RANGER

Code: 02787 Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, performs highly responsible duties involved in the enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies regarding the use of the park by the public and in providing information to the public pertaining to park use, safety requirements, natural phenomena and points of interest and/or supervises a small group of County Park Rangers engaged in such activities; does other related work.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, executes, and reviews surveys on complex field problems such as wildlife management reductions, soil erosion, protective management, and critical levels of fire hazards.
• Identifies and evaluates critical trends in park operations and drafts project plans and complex operating procedures in resources management activities.
• May supervise a small group of county park rangers.
• Directs lower level employees in data collection, reviewing findings, and writing narrative reports including analyses, evaluations, and recommendations.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and drafts proposed revisions in guidelines and operating procedures for law enforcement, concessionaire relations, and comparable activities or services involving sensitive and complicated relationships.
• Plans, initiates, and supervises studies related to visitor service operations where there are special or complex problems involved.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from high school, vocational high school, or possession of an approved high school equivalency certificate.

<b>AGE:</b> Not less than eighteen (18) years of age at the announced closing date for filing civil service applications.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in work involving the care, maintenance, and protection of park resources and facilities and/or in the conservation of natural, cultural, and other park resources and/or in the explanation and education of the public regarding such resources.

License

Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of gathering information.
• Knowledge of the types of emergencies likely to be encountered and of the emergency operations plans likely to be used in a park system.
• Knowledge of the methods used to control potential hazards to natural resources.
• Ability to read and understand the park system policies and policy formulation regarding public system, including land acquisition and development priorities.
• Ability to interpret park rules and regulations and apply them to specific cases and situations.
• Ability to enforce the law and park regulations and policies.
• Ability to learn the structure and function of operating areas, including staff function and organization.
• Ability to understand the problems involved in safeguarding buildings and grounds covering a considerable area.
• Ability to safeguard equipment.
• Ability to handle complaints.
• Ability to recognize, prevent, and control potential hazards to natural resources.
• Ability to investigate accidents.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations both quickly and effectively.
• Ability to direct traffic and collect statements from citizens.
• Ability to write summonses and record information.
• Ability to deal effectively with unruly citizens.
• Ability to restrain individuals.
• Ability to drive a vehicle.
• Ability to operate hand and special tools, including a chain saw, wood handling machinery, small engine mower and tractor, and to maintain same.
• Ability to maintain the turf, including fertilizing, spraying, trimming, edging, thatching, seeding, and other techniques.
• Ability to prune, plant, and handle trees and shrubs.
• Ability to erect fences and install and maintain signs.
• Ability to use cleaning materials correctly.
• Ability to make minor repairs to buildings.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: LG - MCK 9/20/02
• This job specification is for local government use only.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees will be required to successfully complete a training program mandated by the New Jersey Police Training Commission within 18 months of appointment.

Satisfactory completion of thirty (30) semester hours of credit at an accredited college or university with at least six (6) semester hours of credit in one of the following areas may be substituted for one (1) year of the above experience: Park and recreation management, the natural sciences, history, archeology, sociology, police science, urban affairs, criminal justice and the behavioral sciences.

Candidates certified from the eligible list of the title may be required to undergo a medical examination administered by the Appointing Authority.