SUPERVISING COUNTY PARK RANGER

Code: 03870 Local 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, plans, supervises, and coordinates the work performed by a group of County Park Rangers involved in 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; does other related work.

Examples of work

• Supervises the work operations an/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Determines work procedures and prepares work schedules.
• Assigns duties to staff and reviews completed work for conformance to policies and procedures.
• Identifies developmental and training needs of staff and provides provision for development and training.
• Hears and resolves complaints from staff and refers more serious complaints to higher level supervisors.
• Develops, analyzes, and evaluates new or revised policy statements, program outlines and guidelines.
• Serves as technical advisor on more complex problems that may come up on law enforcement, rescue and emergency services, recreation program operations or concessionaire relations.
• Acts as representative of park management in working out agreements with law enforcement authorities, concessionaires, cooperating agencies, and park neighbors when conflicts arise.
• Evaluates new and existing techniques, methods, and operational approaches for handling law enforcement, recreations programs, and visitor service functions.
• Recommends the purchase, maintenance, replacement and safety of material, equipment and facilities.
• 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.

Experience

Four (4) 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 supervisory techniques.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of gathering information.
• Knowledge of the methods used to control potential hazards to natural resources.
• Knowledge of the types of emergencies likely to be encountered and of the emergency operations plans likely to be used in a park system.
• Ability to assign work to subordinates, evaluate their job performance, and provide them with suitable instructions and guidance.
• Ability to understand the problems involved in safeguarding buildings and grounds covering a considerable area.
• Ability to read and understand the park system policies and policy formulation regarding public system, including land acquisition and development priorities.
• Ability to learn the structure and function of operating areas, including staff functions and organization.
• Ability to analyze and recognize problem situations.
• Ability to relate information about particular areas, including the common trees, plants, and animals, the history of landmarks, and the location of facilities.
• Ability to interpret park rules and regulations.
• Ability to enforce the law, park regulations, and policies.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations quickly and effectively.
• Ability to handle complaints.
• Ability to deal with varied types of persons and to give them clear and accurate directions.
• Ability to deal with the public with courtesy, fairness, and firmness and to enforce regulations tactfully.
• Ability to restrain individuals.
• Ability to write summonses and record information.
• Ability to investigate accidents.
• Ability to direct traffic and collect statements from citizens.
• Ability to drive all types of motor vehicles.
• Ability to do park maintenance work, cutting trees, planting and transplanting trees and shrubs, maintaining turf, clearing trails and doing minor construction and repairs.
• Ability to operate hand and special tools, including a chain saw, wood handling machinery, small engine mowers, tractors, and to maintain the same.
• Ability to write reports and maintain records and files.
• 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.

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.

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 or the behavioral sciences.

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

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

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