Chief Ranger

Salary : $76,116.00 - $107,112.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 24-049
Department: Water
Opening Date: 12/14/2023
Closing Date: 1/18/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
The Position
The current vacancy is for Chief Ranger in the Water Recreation Division of the Water Department at the Loch Lomond Recreation area located at 100 Loch Lomond Way in Felton. This is a full-time position with benefits. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Chief Ranger vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Chief People Officer.
The City of Santa Cruz Water Department is seeking a Chief Ranger to supervise the Loch Lomond Recreation Area and support our watershed protection team. By joining this diverse and talented team in our uniquely beautiful City, you'll be assigned to collaborate closely with the Watershed Compliance Manager to help ensure drinking water source protection and help operate this unique recreational resource in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Among other things, this pivotal role involves oversight of 15 or more staff, recreation area budget development, implementation of safety and security programs, coordination with local and state law enforcement, fire and natural resource management agencies, support for environmental monitoring and education activities and serving as a liaison for the City of Santa Cruz with stakeholders outside the City in its drinking water source watersheds.
Under direction, the Chief Ranger plans, directs, and manages the daily operations, protection, preservation, maintenance, recreation, enforcement, and overall drinking water source protection programs for assigned recreation areas, including the Loch Lomond Recreation Area, City-owned watershed lands and City-managed riparian conservation areas; plans, develops, and directs interpretive programs and resource management activities; participates in the development of future policies, plans and activities; participates in the development of the operating and capital improvement budgets; manages visitor services such as patrol, enforcement, emergency response including wildfire response and medical services and may serve as park residence ranger.
Recruitment #24-049
Selection Timeline: (Note: The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Chief People Officer.)

• On Thursday, 01/18/24 recruitment will close. NOTE: City offices will be closed from 12/25/23 to 01/07/24. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

1. Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online application process.
2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Weeks of 01/22 and 01/29/24: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position.

• Weeks of 02/05 and/or 02/12/24: Applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment and interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates.

Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below)

• Plans, schedules, and directs the work of personnel assigned to the ranger program; recommends hiring of employees; supervises, trains and evaluates performance of staff; provides career education and development; trains staff in appropriate enforcement techniques; and ensures that a positive public image is maintained and projected by Recreation staff.
• Develops, recommends, evaluates and/or modifies, implements and trains on programs and policies related to recreation, law enforcement, fire resiliency, preparedness and response, emergency medical response and other resource protection and visitor service programs.
• Designated as a public officer responsible for enforcement of City of Santa Cruz regulations, state and federal laws and protection of property and persons on City of Santa Cruz property and associated watershed protection areas; responsibility and authority associated with designation as a public officer under the laws of the state.
• Assures that the Loch Lomond Recreation area is maintained and operated to meet the needs of the public and the City of Santa Cruz; supervises the collection of entrance fees and other revenues; oversees the recreation area billing system; maintains the system, consults with the Department of Information Technology on changes and problems.
• Monitors public relations issues with visitors, responds to and mitigates complaints.
• Investigates and responds to complex inquires and complaints regarding the Loch Lomond Recreation area; resolves technical and operational problems.
• Participates in the development of the section budget; administers and monitors the budget; assures that the section is operated efficiently, effectively, and within the proscribed budget.
• Analyzes billing and work procedures used by the Rangers; designs and implements changes and revision as necessary, coordinating with the Department of Information Technology, Finance, and other departments; authorizes billing corrections and adjustments in accordance with the City Code; prepares incident, billing and operational reports.
• Formulates long-range plans for Loch Lomond, City-owned watershed lands, and open-space lands; assists in the development of plans for new park facilities and activities.
• Participates in the development of policies and procedures, programs, projects and work assignments as part of the Water Department.
• Develops and directs interpretive programs for assigned areas.
• Monitors activities in the assigned areas to assure compliance with the Municipal Code and all applicable local, state and federal regulations and rules; enforces regulations and rules; as a public officer, issues oral and written warnings and citations.
• Oversees the protection, preservation and maintenance of the Loch Lomond Recreation area and other facilities (including other Water Department watershed lands and water production infrastructure), with emphasis on patrol, enforcement and interpretation.
• Oversees construction, maintenance and improvement programs for the assigned areas; coordinates projects and activities with other sections, departments, agencies and contractors; assists in the preparation of cost estimates for Loch Lomond Recreation area and watershed lands facilities maintenance and repair activities.
• Manages various contracts, leases and agreements with contractors, vendors, neighbors and local agencies.
• Prepares written and verbal reports related to the ranger program, projects and other section activities.
• Handles emergency situations arising in assigned areas including injury, fire and serious illness and accidents; provides first response services within established response areas, including administering emergency medical aid and completing incident reports.
• Coordinates field operations with staff, government or law enforcement agencies, coordinate police and fire agencies in matters of public safety.
• Obtains permits from appropriate government agencies for the operations, as needed.
• Performs resource management activities by coordinating the remediation of environmental hazards, such as slides, erosion, and disease and insect activity in trees; recommends removal of hazardous trees and eradication of undesirable flora.
• Assists in the development and implementation of safety training and skills development programs for assigned classifications; ensures compliance with safety rules and regulations.
• Corrects or reports hazardous environmental conditions within the Loch LomondRecreation area, City-owned watershed lands, riparian license areas, and other City open-space lands.
• May monitor the Adult Offender Work Program, Cal Fire Conservation Camp or related work crews.
• May be assigned toperform any of the duties of the Ranger classification.
• If serving as a residence ranger, responsible for park security during non-public use hours.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, and walking on uneven and slippery surfaces including mountain trails; reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when patrolling parks, inspecting work and operating assigned equipment. The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 60 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works equally indoors and outdoors and in all weather conditions, including rain, heat and cold. The job duties may expose the employee to fumes, dust and air contaminants, stinging and biting insects, and rattlesnakes. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and construction equipment, work around a reservoir, and respond to emergency situations to provide rescue assistance or fight fires. The incumbent may be required to respond to after-hours emergency call outs. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in park management, park or recreation administration, natural resources management, forestry, environmental studies or related field; and

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible administrative experience related to watershed protection or the protection and operation of an open space or related recreation facility which includes supervisory experience,

OR

• Associate's degree in park management, park or recreation administration, natural resources management, forestry, environmental studies or related field and,

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience related to watershed protection or the protection and operation of an open space or related recreation facility which includes supervisory experience,

OR

• High School diploma or equivalent and,

• Four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience related to watershed protection or the protection and operation of an open space or related recreation facility which includes supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.
• Possession, and continued maintenance of, Title 22 First Aid for Public Safety and CPR certification within 6 months of hire.
• Possession of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) PC832 Arrest & Control training certification within one year of hire.
• Possession and continued maintenance of a Grade D1 Water Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the California Water Boards State Water Resources Control Board within two years of hire.

Knowledge:

• Park and recreation programming and development, including natural resource management.
• California Fish and Game Codes and relevant State and Federal ordinances.
• Landscape, trail and building maintenance, erosion control, construction, electrical and/or mechanical trades and related tools and equipment.
• Interpretive program planning and development.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Governmental operations and the principles and practices of program and budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of fire prevention and control.
• Emergency medical techniques.
• Principles and practices of applicable safety practices.
• Basic principles and practices of ecology, land use and conservation, protection and maintenance.
• Effective writing practices; proper spelling, grammar, punctuation.
• Basic accounting principles and practices.

Skills:

• Safely operate a variety of hand tools, construction equipment, and vehicles used in park maintenance.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Effectively organize, schedule, direct and review the work of others.
• Interpret and apply administrative and department policies and procedures.
• Effective operate and oversee a computerized billing system.

Abilities:

• Supervise, motivate, evaluate, and provide training for assigned staff and volunteers; monitor work activities to ensure safe work practices, work quality and accuracy.
• Interpret, apply, and explain procedures, rules, regulations, and codes, including state and federal ordinances and the Municipal Code.
• Successfully work under pressure.
• Assist with the preparation and administration of the section budget.
• Write and prepare technical reports, publications and graphs.
• Prepare, develop and lead interpretive talks and hikes for park visitors.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines; respond appropriately in potentially hazardous or emergency situations.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; make oral presentations; prepare written reports.
• Read, interpret and record data accurately; develop and maintain manual and computerized record keeping systems and computerized business systems applications.
• ...