Park Ranger - Part time (Parks & Recreation Department)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Park Rangers enforce park ordinances and related regulations, provide park visitors with information and directions, protect park resources, and ensure a positive visitor experience. The Park Ranger is responsible for all safety, security, visitor services, and resource protection in the parks.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Conducts individual patrols by vehicle, utility vehicle, bicycle, and on foot in various weather conditions.
• Educates the public about park ordinances and associated regulations, issuing warnings as necessary.
• Issue warnings or tickets/citations for serious or continuous violations.
• Preparing for patrol, calling on, obtaining log sheets and any information from the office, gathering necessary equipment, cleaning off and fueling vehicles, and completing all logs, reports, and hours sheets.
• Present environmental education programming to varied groups of park visitors.
• Miscellaneous tasks or duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or (GED).
• Minimum age of 18 years old
• Preferred: one year of job-related experience and/or training (i.e., parks & recreation, law enforcement, resource management, education, emergency medicine, and/or customer service).
• Previous Police, Ranger, or Security experience preferred.
• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license is required.
• Must possess or can possess current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Experience with departmental equipment.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent positive public relations and customer service skills.
• Knowledge or the ability to become familiar with PA Criminal Code, Vehicle Code, Parks Code, Civil Law, Labor Law relations, PA Fish and Boat Code, and PA Game Laws
• Knowledge of EMS, MSDS, fire safety, and environmental issues is an asset.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and grammatically.
• Ability to recognize liabilities for the County and take immediate action.
• Adaptability to changing departmental needs and priorities.
• Ability to deal with potentially dangerous individuals, criminal behavior, resistant individuals, and people with varying mental or physical abilities.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Basic IBM-compatible skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Must obtain PA Act 153 Clearances.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the facilities is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to work extended hours – sometimes 12-16 hours.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs., bend, stoop, climb, and reach.
• Walking, hiking, bicycling at various intervals
• Ability to aid or lift people in need.
• Required to wear a department-issued ballistic vest while on patrol.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Potential for working in highly hazardous situations when dealing with enforcement issues.
• Responds to calls in low- or no-light conditions and is usually working alone.
• Will be required to work outside 80 – 85% of the time (depending on the season) and will be exposed to variable weather conditions.
• Will work varied shift patterns to ensure park coverage throughout the year, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The County of Berks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

About Us:

Berks County is a combination of rich farm country, industry, beautiful parks, entertainment, and top-notch educational institutions. Whether you are interested in County services, the availability of our parks, tax rates, or other ​county information, this is the place to start.

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of Berks County government and all County employees to administer and deliver services to the citizens of the County in the most effective, efficient and professional manner possible within the constraints of the financial resources available.