Description: Applications for the Ranger Recruit and Ranger positions will be accepted beginning the week of March 2. Interested applicants are encouraged to create a personal profile in CalOpps and sign up for job alerts to receive notifications about future opportunities that match their employment interests.
About the Position:
The start date for these positions is early-December 2026. For additional information, see the Ranger Recruit and Ranger specifications on our job description page at OpenSpace.org.
The Ranger Recruit is a trainee-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 Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy based out of the South Bay Regional Training Center in San Jose, CA located on Bailey Avenue with the nearest cross street on Santa Teresa Avenue. The 14-week long academy begins in January 2027 and will include the California Penal Code 832 training. Upon successful completion of the academy and the District’s required robust 12-week Field Training program 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.
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 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
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! 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.
Peace Officer Standards for Rangers: Applicants must meet the standards for being a California Peace Officer as outlined in Government Code Section 1031. Ranger Recruits must complete Midpen's requirements for training of Peace Officers by attending and successfully completing a Midpen approved law enforcement academy upon hire, unless they have successfully passed an equivalent academy, and possess a California Penal Code 832 certificate.
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.
Certificates and Licenses: A valid California driver’s license; Possession of or ability to obtain the following certificates prior to completion of the employment probationary period: 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).
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 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 light maintenance and construction work on Midpen lands. District Rangers interact daily with a diverse Bay Area community to provide safe access for all visitors.
TYPICAL STEPS IN THE HIRING PROCESS:
- Application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questionnaire submission.
- Initial Panel Interview.
- Skills Assessment.
- Second Inteview including Supervisor Ride-Along and Command Staff Panel.
- Fitness Test 2 mile walk while carrying a 25 lb pack in 30 minutes or less.
- Pass a pre-employment background investigation, and medical and psychological evaluations per CA State Law Government Code (GC) 1031.
- A ride along with a District Ranger is available for those considering the position. Ride-alongs are not offered while a Ranger recruitment is open.
IMPORTANT:
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.
The academy is held at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training campus in South San Jose. To successfully complete the academy, recruits must pass the physical agility test. Information about this test is available at Pre-Employment Testing and Training - The Academy. The academy also offers optional practice sessions for a small fee; available dates are listed on the web site. Attending a practice session is strongly recommended, as it allows potential candidates to gauge their ability to pass the physical agility test by the end of the academy.
*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.
Benefits
Competitive Benefits:
- CalPERS Retirement Pension
- Choice of HMO or PPO medical plan through CalPERS.
- District Paid Dental and Vision plan.
- Vacation starts at 15 days per year.
- 12 days of sick leave per year.
- 12.5 paid holidays per year.
- 32 hours of personal leave time per year.
- Potential discounted District housing when available.
