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The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) Ranger is a challenging and adventurous generalist position offering a wide variety of responsibilities and opportunities to exercise independent judgement while working on Midpen preserves. Rangers serve a unique role as stewards of the open space by regularly interacting with the community to provide visitors information, natural resource education, interpretive services, enforcement of pertinent regulations, and performing limited maintenance and resource management work on Midpen properties and facilities. Rangers patrol on foot, in all-terrain vehicles, on motorcycles, and in four-wheel drive patrol trucks while enforcing Midpen land use regulations and applicable laws.  Rangers ensure safe public use of preserves, while also responding to emergency calls including medical aid and wildland fires.

About the Position:

The start date for these positions is early-November 2024.  For additional information, see the Ranger Recruit and Ranger specifications on our job description page at OpenSpace.org.

The Ranger Recruit is a training-level position for individuals who do not possess a Ranger Academy certificate or equivalent, or valid PC 832 certificate.  Upon commencement of employment, new Ranger Recruits will participate in pre-academy instruction on the duties of a District Ranger, receive orientation to District lands and operations and complete additional required training.  Upon completion of pre-academy instruction, new Ranger Recruits will participate in a district approved National Park Service Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy in Rangely, Colorado https://www.cncc.edu/degrees/rangely/nps (17-week program), which begins in January 2025 and complete California Penal Code 832 training.  Upon successful completion of the District’s required training and final review by the Chief Ranger, a Ranger Recruit may be appointed as a probationary Ranger. 

The Ranger is a challenging and adventurous journey level position offering a wide variety of responsibilities and opportunities to exercise independent judgement while working on Midpen preserves.  Upon commencement of employment, new Rangers will participate in a robust field (12-week) training program. 

About Midpen:  Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! Check out the Working for Midpen video on our Employment Opportunities page.

What does a District Ranger do?  District Rangers are Generalist Rangers who perform a wide variety of functions. A brief list of day-to-day activities follows:

• Midpen Rangers are sworn peace officers responsible for patrolling District Preserves and enforcing the District's regulations and pertinent local, State, and Federal laws on District Preserves. Patrol may be by 4x4 truck, foot, UTV, motorcycle, or mountain bike.  
• Respond to medical emergencies, wildland fires on Midpen lands, and search and rescue incidents.
• Help maintain the preserves by performing light maintenance tasks and resource management assignments.
• Engage the public through interpretive activities and community outreach.
• Shift schedules include evening, weekend, and holiday hours.

Positions will be assigned to one of the following District offices:

• Skyline Field Office – Palo Alto Hills
• Foothills Field Office - Cupertino
• Coastal Area Office – La Honda
• South Area Office – Campbell

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job

• Collaborative work that directly supports Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment

• You’ll be part of a talented and dynamic team whose work contributes to providing nature’s benefits to everyone

• Excellent employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement pension through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)

Basic Job Requirements: Must have the ability to enforce pertinent laws and regulations; administer first aid and CPR; demonstrate and maintain the physical fitness and mobility to meet District fitness standards, and to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to respond to emergency situations to provide emergency medical services, perform fire suppression, and to gain control of a situation for self-defense or in defense of others; operate and maintain various power tools and equipment; operate emergency patrol vehicles and two-way radios; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Possess the aptitude and demonstrated interest in park/open space work, philosophy, and principles; willingness to perform law enforcement duties; aptitude for interpretive and public relations work; emotional maturity; dependability; punctuality; tact and diplomacy; poise and self-confidence; sensitivity to needs and attitudes of others; neatness and courtesy.   

Peace Officer Standards for Rangers: Ability to satisfy the selection standards for peace officers in California as set forth in Government Code Sections 1029, 1030 and 1031, and by the District.

Education & Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Ranger Recruit

• Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of experience working in visitor/customer service or an equivalent position that includes interacting with the public.  Education and/or experience in law enforcement, resource management, natural sciences, park management, wildland firefighting, or a related field is highly desirable. 
• Certificates and Licenses: A valid California Class C driver’s license.

Ranger

• Meet all qualifications for Ranger Recruit, plus:
• Certificates and Licenses:  Current possession of a District approved Law Enforcement Training certification and a valid California 832 certificate for appointment as a peace officer, and ability to obtain the following certificates prior to completion of the employment probationary period: completion of the District’s Field Training Program, valid professional rescuer CPR certificate and Medical First Responder or equivalent; a Midpen approved Fire Suppression Training certificate; certification in the Incident Command System courses as specified under the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Working Conditions: Rangers work cohesively with local law enforcement, fire agencies and other adjoining land agencies. Rangers typically work alone and self-initiate their day-to-day patrols. Work conditions require rangers to work weekends, nights, and holidays in all weather conditions.  Most work is outdoors within Midpen’s open space lands with exposure to inclement weather conditions. This requires the ability to patrol on foot, off trail, and in rugged terrain.  Also requires the ability to perform all related emergency services and maintenance and construction work on Midpen lands. District Rangers interact daily with a diverse Bay Area community to provide safe access for all visitors.

Benefits: Midpen provides a competitive benefits package including health, life, and disability insurance as well as a CalPERS pension. Detailed information is available on the Benefits page of the District’s website.

How to Apply:  

Apply online at CalOpps.org.   The deadline to apply is Sunday, April 21, 2024

(To avoid missing email communication about this recruitment, add mpropenspace@calopps.org to your contacts or list of safe senders.)

The following application items are required to be considered*:

1. Fully completed CalOpps employment application 

2. Resume 

3. Supplemental question responses

(A cover letter is highly desirable).

*Incomplete CalOpps employment applications, or applications without the required application items listed here, will not be considered for the position.

INTERVIEW DATES & HIRING PROCESS:

First interviews (Virtual):  Tuesday, May 7th and Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 (Candidates will be scheduled on one of two days)

Skills assessment (In-Person; Foothills Field Office - Cupertino): Friday, May 17, 2024

Final interviews (In-Person):  Wednesday, May 22, 2024

IMPORTANT: Candidates selected to advance after completing the interview process will be required to successfully complete the Peace Officer Standards & Training Personal History Statement, as well as an in-depth background investigation, fitness testing, DOJ and FBI fingerprinting, psychological evaluation, pre-employment physical to include Department of Transportation drug testing. It is recommended to review the 27-page Personal History Statement and the required documents on the POST website at www.post.ca.gov/forms.aspx. Select "Background/Hiring" and form 2-251, Personal History Statement for details on the information and certificates you will be required to provide.

If more candidates successfully complete the recruitment and background process than we have available positions to fill, these candidates may be brought on at a later date as vacancies occur.  

A note to applicants who currently live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area: before committing to the application process, and if you haven’t done so already, we suggest evaluating the feasibility of relocation. We recommend researching the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area, the cost to relocate, and typical commute times to Los Altos from outlying areas.

Midpen reserves the right to limit or deny off-duty employment or business ownership which creates a conflict of interest or an incompatibility with District employment. Information can be found in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 4.13 Off-Duty Employment and Business Ownership.

At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department at 650-691-1200.

Put your passion for Open Space to work!

Please click on the Job PDF.

PRNS is currently recruiting to fill multiple full-time benefited vacancies for Park Ranger classifications (Senior Park Ranger and Park Ranger/Full Time).  We are seeking highly motivated, personable individuals with strong leadership skills and innovative ideas to join our dynamic team of employees with a strong commitment to providing excellent service to our diverse community.  Bilingual applicants speaking a second language such as Spanish or Vietnamese are encouraged to apply.  If you are interested in employment in Park Ranger classifications, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Park Ranger classifications are stewards of the park system, providing public safety services, protecting and preserving natural and cultural resources in parks, and inspiring future generations to love and nurture nature. Park Rangers are often first on scene for medical, fire and other emergencies in the parks they oversee. They teach and enforce park rules so everyone can enjoy their visit, always aiming to resolve situations with the lowest possible level of enforcement by leading with education.   

Park Ranger Duties:  Specifically, under general supervision, this classification performs duties of moderate difficulty including performing overall work in park operations and visitor services; resource and environmental protection; greeting visitors and explaining/interpreting park features; performing rescue and fire suppression activities; administering emergency medical care as needed; patrolling parks; enforcement of state and local laws; performing conservation programs and projects; providing lead direction to other park personnel; coordinating and leading volunteer and internship programs; providing traffic and parking control; and preparing written and oral reports and other communication.

Senior Park Ranger Duties:  Under direction, provides lead direction to staff engaged in park patrol, protection, and enforcement of park rules and regulations. Assists park visitors, prepares interpretive and educational programs, and may assist in the coordination of emergency response activities. Participates in the protection, improvement, and maintenance of parks, trails, and facilities, and in the organization of day-to-day operations of the work group. Performs related work e.g. staff planning and scheduling, managing supplies and materials, purchasing materials and equipment as required.

Actual salary will be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.  The Park Ranger classifications consist of a base amount and an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay as follows: 

·       Senior Park Ranger:  $92.776 - $113,087 (includes 5% non-pensionable compensation) annually

·       Park Ranger (FT):      $84,564 - 102.779  (includes 5% non-pensionable compensation) annually.

WORK SCHEDULES WILL FLUCTUATE TO MEET PARK OPERATIONAL NEEDS AND WILL INCLUDE WORK DURING LATE AFTERNOONS/EVENINGS, WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. ASSIGNMENTS CAN BE MADE TO ANY AREA OF THE CITY'S REGIONAL PARKS, TRAILS SYSTEM, OR OTHER PRNS FACILITY. To learn more about City Benefits, click here.  Signing bonuses and new benefits apply effective 6/25/2023, learn more here:  https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/98270/638206031115530000.

Per the City’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all new hires to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical or religious exemption. “Fully vaccinated” means the employee has received two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson.

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB ANNOUNCEMENT URL BELOW.

• Upon successful completion of the Public Safety Officer Academy Attendee/Graduate requirements, incumbents promote to Public Safety Officer I ($117,913 - $136,499).
• Upon successful completion of all phases of training, members of the Public Safety Officer I classification promote to Public Safety Officer II ($124,775 - $155,457 annually).
• This position has an excellent benefit package, including 2.7% at 57 retirement plan.

Under immediate supervision of a Public Safety Lieutenant or Captain, either currently attends the California POST Basic Academy and is learning to perform a wide range of public safety work involving the protection of life and property including law enforcement, crime prevention, fire suppression, rescue, and basic life support activities; or has graduated from the California POST Basic Academy within the last 12 months; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

The position of Public Safety Officer Academy Attendee/Graduate is the training level classification for general police and fire work for those incumbents not affiliated with an agency and currently enrolled in a police academy. Incumbents are not sworn personnel and are generally in this classification until successful completion of the police academy. Assignment to this classification is temporary. If incumbents do not successfully complete a police academy, they will be terminated.  Incumbents hired after the graduation from the California POST Basic Academy are not sworn personnel and are generally in this classification until they are promoted to Public Safety Officer I.

Public Safety Officer Academy Attendee/Graduate is distinguished from the higher-level Public Safety Officer I in that the latter is a sworn position where incumbents continue training for both police and fire duties. Incumbents must successfully complete the police academy prior to being promoted to the classification of Public Safety Officer I.

The City of Sunnyvale invites applications for the Public Safety Officer - In Training. The position of Public Safety Officer-In Training is a non-sworn, training classification while incumbents are attending the police and fire academies. Upon successful completion of the police academy, incumbents will be promoted to the sworn, training position of Public Safety Officer I. Upon successful completion of all required training, incumbents will be promoted to the sworn position of Public Safety Officer II.

The City of Sunnyvale provides an excellent benefits package, including 6% City-paid Employee PERS contribution and the 2.7% at 57 retirement plan. A complete application packet will consist of a City of Sunnyvale employment application, responses to the required supplemental questions, current dated within 30 days DMV printout, current dated within one year of application T-Score, and current dated within one year Work SampleTest Battery (WSTB) Results . The position opens July 1, 2020 and will remain open continuously. For complete information regarding this opportunity, go to sunnyvale.ca.gov, Search: Jobs.

 Salary: $104,353.60 - $120,785.60 Annually