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Form of workNeed a fresh take on law enforcement? Join our OPOTA certified Ranger team working in the fresh air at our lakes, parks and campgrounds!
MWCD is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio. Our organization has an inspiring mission calling our team to be responsible stewards dedicated to providing the benefits of flood reduction, conservation and recreation in the Muskingum River Watershed. This is a full-time position that includes becoming a member of the Ohio Public Employees LE Retirement System (OPERS-LE), eligibility for health, vision, dental and life insurance. We also offer excellent paid leave benefits, including PTO and 3 paid holidays.
Ranger Specialist - Pleasant Hill Lake Park
Application Deadline: Posted until filled.
Entry Wage Rate: $19.88 per hour (+$0.75 and +$1.00 shift differential earned for certain shifts)
Pay Rate at 1/1/2024: $22.87, after 6 months: $23.47
Reporting Location: Pleasant Hill Lake Park
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Safety Sensitive: Yes
NOTE: This is a law enforcement position. An Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy certification is required to be considered for this position.
NOTE: This is a bargaining unit position and therefore is subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement currently in effect between the MWCD and the FOP.
Summary of Responsibilities
Promotes and ensures the safety of Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) visitors through routine patrol and enforcement activities on its lands and waters by watercraft, motor vehicle and foot patrol. Spends considerable time performing public relations activities and public education, ensuring excellent service is provided to MWCD guests. Responds to concerns, complaints and disturbances on water and land. Enforces the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, safe boating laws, MWCD rules and regulations, as well as the Campground Rules and Regulations. Patrols MWCD lakes on regional basis during the boating season. May be called upon to perform duties at any MWCD reservoir/location for special assignments/projects or in emergency situations.
Primary Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Duties may be assigned within any of the MWCD lake regions as deemed operationally necessary.
Patrols MWCD property including water and lands. Investigates incidents, complaints and accidents (both boating, vehicular and otherwise). Completes vessel safety inspections, issues citations, executes bench warrants, works with various law enforcement agencies in investigative and preventative measures and enforces state laws including ORC as well as MWCD rules and regulations. Responds to water related emergencies and other emergencies as required.
Responds to concerns, complaints, and disturbances on water and land. Enforces the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, safe boating laws, MWCD rules and regulations, as well as Campground Rules and Guidelines. Renders assistance to the public by providing information pertinent to MWCD facilities, safe boating education and points of interest in the area. Administers first aid and rescue as required. Notifies appropriate manager of any law enforcement / customer issues that require further attention.
Practices standard MWCD safety procedures in performing job duties and assists other MWCD personnel as required. Notifies appropriate manager of any safety concerns realized while performing job duties.
Performs dock checks on lakes and maintains all related dock check records. Performs inspections on marina rental boats and safety equipment for same. Acts as liaison between MWCD lake rangers and lessee such as marinas, camps, clubs and cottage site owners.
Maintains required ranger logs, watercraft maintenance checks, vehicle and equipment checks, supplies inventory and reports mechanical and/or safety issues to appropriate supervisor.
Appropriately utilizes warnings, citations and arrests to enforce state laws as well as MWCD rules. Investigates boating accidents and completes boating accident reports and watercraft incident and casualty reports for same.
Performs annual installation and removal of docks, buoys, signs and anchors in conjunction with park staff and marinas. Assists with buoy program by maintaining buoy inventory, monitoring buoy locations, and maintaining buoys as assigned. Tows large boat trailers and maneuvers large boat trailers in highly congested traffic areas. Launches, retrieves and operates various watercraft. Performs basic boat repair and maintenance. Maintains and outfits regional lake patrol vehicles and watercraft. Assists with lake litter cleanup projects by removing tires, rubbish and litter from MWCD shorelines and other areas assigned. May also perform litter pick up duties on shoreline or around lake /park /marina while on patrol as time allows if the lake is not busy during season.
Plans, develops, schedules and instructs MWCD-sponsored boater education courses for assigned region, OPOTA courses as required for annual ranger training and other educational programs as directed.
Qualifications
Minimum and Desired Education, Experience, Skills, Licenses, and Certifications
High school diploma or general education degree (GED), Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) certification, and an Ohio driver’s license required. One to three months related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in park operations, law enforcement, radio communications and public speaking preferred. Strong skills in working with people and the public in general required. Good communication skills and the ability to maintain confidential information is required. Thorough knowledge of boating laws and regulations. Must have or obtain marine patrol certification, safe boater instructor certification, firearms instructor certification, and OPOTA instructional skills certification. Must have or obtain current first aid and CPR certification. Other instructor certifications may be required to be obtained as directed. Must be able to swim, tread water, and be comfortable working on and around the water. Must be comfortable speaking in public; be self-motivated and work with limited supervision. Must be proficient in operating a computer and audio visual equipment (PowerPoint, Office, Outlook, Word).
Certifications and Licenses
• Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy Certification (basic police officer training course).
• Valid, unexpired, Driver’s License valid in the State of Ohio. Must be insurable by MWCD fleet insurance.
• The employee will be required to successfully pass a firearms qualifications course as outlined by OPOTA Commission.
• The employee will be required to successfully obtain or renew a CPR/first aid certification.
Other Requirements, Expectations, or Unusual Conditions
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This position requires weekend, evening and holiday work. Overtime work is required as necessary. Working extra hours during spring and summer months is required, with some workdays exceeding 10 hours. Involvement in local community organizations and/or activities is expected. For Lake Rangers, an Ohio’s Boater Education Card is required and the employee must be able to swim, tread water, and be comfortable working on and around the water.
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Duties may be assigned outside of the employee’s regularly assigned region at times, as necessary, to cover MWCD operational lake ranger needs. Duties may also be assigned outside of the employee’s regularly assigned region, as necessary, for special assignments/projects or in emergency situations.
