JOB SUMMARY:

The position of Park Ranger is a uniformed position with the Police Department. The Ranger will actively patrol and monitor city parks, trail ways, and facilities. As armed limited commission officers, Rangers are responsible for the protection of life and property. Duties include but are not limited to the enforcement of park rules and regulations, laws and city ordinances; the maintenance of order; the investigation of crimes; and the reduction of crimes with city owned parks. Rangers provide services and education to the public and perform other related work as required. The work is performed in accordance with accepted contemporary policing and parks practices and departmental regulations. This position requires consistent attention and commitment to the Police and Parks Department’s vision and mission. All duties are expected to be performed effectively, efficiently, and in a manner consistent with the Department’s policing philosophy. Rangers must accept the responsibility to support and promote this organization’s mission and comply with its directives. Personal conduct and behavior must be such that it does not bring disrepute or unnecessarily endanger the park visitors trust or confidence in the Police and Parks and Enrichment Departments or their members. This position requires a high level of problem-solving ability, self-initiative, and the ability and willingness to work a majority of time without direct supervision. Are capable and willing to make decisions that are consistent with both the Police and Parks and Enrichment vision, mission, goals, and objectives.

EQUIPMENT/JOB LOCATION/PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE DEMANDS

The majority of tasks are performed outdoors (under various weather conditions) while working from a vehicle, bicycle or on foot. The work will also involve indoors. This position includes shift adjustments and may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays. Few tasks require heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying of heavy loads. Physical flexibility is important because of the need to enter and exit vehicles frequently; search open fields; climb over, under and around obstacles; stooping, kneeling, and suddenly moving out of the way of danger. Mental alertness is important because of the need to make fine distinctions and decisions concerning subtle clues of impending danger or to discover inconsistencies in witnesses or suspect statements. Physical and mental demands may change dramatically within seconds and task the maximum of human endurance. Therefore, rangers must maintain a physical and mental state of fitness and readiness that will enable them to handle recurrent contacts and involvements with dangerous people, animals, and equipment. Contact with human bodily fluids (both bloodborne and airborne) and other potentially infectious or hazardous materials is probable. Exposure to violent human behavior is probable. Frequent use of motor vehicles, parks equipment and firearms are to be expected.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Duties involve responding to calls for service, patrolling in a directed manner to deter and detect crime, investigating complaints, citing and/or arresting law violators, follow up on pending reports and cases, and protecting persons and property within the City parks. When not responding to calls for service or otherwise directed by a supervisor, the ranger is expected to use self-directed work time in an efficient manner by self-initiating work on park problems or issues and seeking solutions consistent with the Department mission.

SUPERVISION

Rangers receives direct supervision from a Sergeant or, in the absence of a Sergeant, from a Lead Officer. In no case must a ranger report to more than one supervisor at a time. This position receives written semi-annual performance appraisals against written performance standards.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

1. Patrols designated park properties of the City in a vehicle, bicycle, or on foot to deter and discover crime; on scene investigations; aids persons in trouble and renders appropriate public services as needed.
2. Observing, and enforcing park rules and regulations and protecting park resources.
3. Provides consistent high visibility in parks, trail ways, and pathways as a deterrence/prevention against vandalism, encampments, graffiti, and other illegal activity.
4. Identifies encampments locations and makes the initial contact with occupants
5. Supervises and directs actions necessary to remove encampments in accordance with laws and regulations.
6. Enforces ordinances regarding encampments, animal complaints, parking, and park rules and regulations.
7. Monitors activities and identifies inappropriate, unsafe, criminal, or other undesirable behaviors; resolves issues as appropriate.
8. Issues infractions or citations to violators of city ordinances; serves warrants of arrest; arrests persons on misdemeanor charges; handcuffs and searches arrested persons and secures their custody; completes necessary reports concerning the alleged crime, circumstances of arrest, and available evidence and witnesses.
9. Responds to reports of possible crime and takes actions, as situation requires, to secure the scene; interviews victims and witnesses; gathers evidence and arrests suspects; completes incident and arrest reports; investigates persons suspected of being engaged in criminal activity; ascertains and secures evidence pertaining to alleged crime; and arrests suspects for probable cause.
10. Testifies in court when requested.
11. Conducts routine inspections of playgrounds and equipment, restrooms, lights, signs and other park items for damage or unsafe conditions and submits the appropriate work orders.
12. Works with volunteer organizations, as needed, as a City representative including leading projects on trail maintenance, invasive species removal, park maintenance, educational tours, and similar activities.
13. Attends training sessions, as necessary.
14. Assists other law enforcement agencies and City departments as necessary.
15. Assists in City emergency management duties as assigned.
16. May perform other specialized duties, depending upon ranger’s background and abilities and the needs of the Department.
17. Develops programs to insure public safety in parks, to include public education, interpretation, and enforcement.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of park buildings and grounds, and rules and regulations.
2. Knowledge of methods, equipment, and materials used in park ranger duties. (from above)
3. Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with trespassers and violators of City ordinances and park rules and regulations.
4. Ability to adapt to different work hours.
5. Ability to walk and ride a bicycle for several hours.
6. Ability to analyze a situation quickly and objectively recognizing actual and potential dangers and to determine a proper course of action.
7. Ability to write clear incident reports, organizing details logically.
8. Ability to read, understand, and interpret laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
9. Ability to quickly learn applicable state laws and city ordinances, and established principles, practices, policies and procedures of police work.
10. Ability to cope with situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for individuals’ rights.
11. Ability to speak well and express oneself clearly.
12. Ability to communicate effectively with a diversity of people, including those with social and behavioral problems.
13. Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with fellow employees and with citizens from all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
14. Ability to develop skills in firearm safety and the use and care of a duty firearm.
15. Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks, such as pursuing fleeing suspects on foot and arresting suspects who resist.
16. Ability to learn and use investigative techniques and procedures.
17. Ability to direct traffic for special events, at the scene of a collision, and take actions to remove fallen trees blocking roadways, sidewalks, and other City rights-of-way.
18. Ability to observe and remember details.
19. Skill in Microsoft Office products and ability to learn a variety of software programs.
20. Ability to complete satisfactorily the prescribed courses and materials in the Field Training Program.
21. Good driving ability.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Minimum of 21 years of age
2. US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
3. Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent
4. Minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours college credit
5. Graduate of a ranger or basic law enforcement academy
6. Valid Washington State Driver’s License
7. Bilingual English/Spanish desirable
8. Must be able to successfully pass the following: a. Written Civil Service Examination b. Oral Civil Service Examination c. Physical Fitness Examination d. Background Investigation e. Polygraph Examination f. Psychological Examination g. Medical Examination

REMOVAL

Removal can be with or without fault of the employee or the Department. Economic conditions that cause reduction or restructuring in work force, the employee’s inability to attend work, chronic absence, or a failure to perform competently on any of the critical tasks of the position or a consistent failure to perform competently on regular tasks are among the major reasons for removal without fault. Failure to support the Department’s vision and/or mission, behave in a manner that supports the Department’s Canons and Code of Ethics, continually comply with preconditions for original employment, or accrue atypical amounts of supervisory counseling or remedial training may lead to removal with or without fault.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please apply at https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/. First review of applications to take place on June 6, 2022. For additional information please contact Human Resources at mvhr@mountvernonwa.gov. The City of Mount Vernon provides and enforces a drug free workplace and maintains a smoke free work environment. The City of Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employe