PRINCIPAL COUNTY PARK RANGER

 

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.

 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.

 
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.

 REQUIREMENTS:

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

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

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

      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.

      NOTE: 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.

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

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

 KNOWLEDGE 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 - 02787               MCK            9/20/02

 This job specification is for local government use only.