Temporary Ranger Assistants - Loch Lomond Recreation Area (Multiple Positions Available)

Salary : $3,548.00 - $4,992.00 Monthly
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: 24-062
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 02/01/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
The Position
The current opening is for Temporary Ranger Assistants at the Loch Lomond Recreation Area located at 100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton.
Looking for a part-time job opportunity where you can work in one of the most beautiful and unique areas in the Santa Cruz Mountains?
The City of Santa Cruz is seeking Temporary Ranger Assistants at the to start training in February in support of the Loch Lomond Recreation Area for the season that runs from March 2nd through the second week in October. The Loch Lomond Recreation Area offers fishing, boating, picnicking and hiking in a unique mountain lake environment in Santa Cruz County. Under general supervision, Ranger Assistants assist with supporting the Recreation Area by performing park maintenance and resource management duties, overseeing store operations, providing public assistance, and communicating and enforcing rules and regulations to visitors at the Loch Lomond Recreation Area and the surrounding watershed area. There are several on call/temporary positions available. These positions are typically 20 hours per week, occasionally increasing up to 30 hours depending on staffing need, to include weekends and holidays.
Loch Lomond is located at 100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton. To read more about the Loch Lomond Recreation Area, go to
**** Interviews will be held on Wednesdays in February until all positions are filled.
The selected candidates will start as soon as possible in anticipation of opening day on March 2nd.****
Temporary positions are non-benefited. Temporary positions are of limited duration, and are not linked to regular positions of the same name. Temporary positions are limited to a total of 999 hours in a fiscal year.
Recruitment #24-062
Selection Timeline: (Note: The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.)
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. This position is open until filled. The recruitment will be closed when sufficient applications have been received and the job posting may close on the City website without notice.
2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here should also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Completed and qualified applications will be sent to the hiring department as they are received. Interviews will be held every Wednesday until positions are filled.
• The department will contact only those candidates being scheduled for interviews via email. No other notification will be made.
• The selected candidate will undergo fingerprint screening as part of the pre-employment process.

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

• Staffs the Recreation Area store and/or Welcome Kiosk; responds to questions and concerns from the general public; provides information as appropriate regarding fees, permits, policies, procedures and services; assists the public in obtaining permits and renting equipment.
• Receives and processes purchases, fees, fines, or other transactions; sets up cash drawers and operates cash registers and/or point of sales equipment (POS); prepares receipts, balances money received and prepares deposits; reconciles purchases and user fees with daily receipts, staffs park store and kiosk.
• Maintains supplies and inventories for facilities and store; contacts vendors, places orders and processes related record-keeping.
• Assists with minor construction projects and maintenance of park facilities, such as buildings, restrooms, trash receptacles, picnic areas, signs, irrigation systems, trails, fuel breaks, fences, gates, and grounds; performs maintenance and repair work on facilities, structures, and equipment, including minor carpentry, plumbing, and painting.
• Assists with resource management within watershed and Recreation Areas by performing tasks such as aquatic or terrestrial invasive species control, boat inspections, and erosion control projects; maintaining roads, trails, and fire breaks; observes and reports environmental hazards, such as slides, erosion, and disease and insect activity in trees.
• Operates and maintains various types of power tools, light to medium construction equipment, and city vehicles, including trailers and boats.
• Controls access to assigned facilities by opening and closing them to the public; ensures facility is secure upon closing; monitors ongoing use of the facility to ensure user compliance with all facility policies and procedures; maintains and implements security and emergency procedures including calling for civil or law enforcement assistance when necessary.
• Assists with enforcement of provisions of the Municipal Code applicable to the Loch Lomond Recreation Area and Watershed Properties as assigned.
• Assists with medical emergencies as needed within the scope of training.
• May lead and assist in training temporary workers and volunteers in the operation of the toll gate, store, and boat rental dock as well as the boat inspection process and the maintenance of related facilities; coordinates efforts in support of facility operations.
• May monitor water quality conditions, collect water samples, and record data from stream gauges and other monitoring instrumentation.
• Performs routine clean-up of picnic areas and boat launch facilities, such as picking up litter and debris and placing in trash receptacles and cleaning barbecue pits and grills with hand tools.
• Visually inspects park facilities for cleanliness, empties trash containers and refills dispensers, sweeps, washes an disinfects rest room facilities.
• Learns the natural history of the area and begins to apply knowledge when performing park maintenance and operations duties as well as in providing information to visitors; may perform basic research related to resource management and park facilities and interpretive presentations to visitors and school groups.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires: prolonged sitting, standing, and walking on steep and 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 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 outdoors and in all weather conditions, including rain, heat, and cold. The job duties may expose the employee to fumes, dust, air contaminants, stinging insects, poison oak, and rattlesnakes. May be exposed to biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals. 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, and may assist in emergencies. Positions require the incumbent to work around a reservoir. 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
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:

• High school degree or tested equivalent, and
• Six months of maintenance and public contact experience.

Knowledge:

• Safe use of various small hand and power tools

Abilities:

• Interact courteously and effectively with members of the public.
• Read, understand, and review documents for accuracy and relevant information.
• Learn to operate hand and power tools related to resource management such as shovels, axes, saws, Pulaskis, McLeods, weed wrenches, and rakes.
• Use a variety of instruments related to the measurement of water quality and weather such as Secchi disks, turbidimeters, pH meters, thermometers, anemometers, hygrometers, and barometers.
• Implement, explain, and apply procedures, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances.
• Enforce procedures, rules, regulations, and codes, including the Municipal Code.
• Respond appropriately in potentially hazardous or emergency situations.
• Use applicable office terminology, forms, documents, and procedures in the work of the facility.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate standard office equipment including computers and cash registers and/or point of sale.
• Operate handheld, mobile, and base station radios.
• Organize, prioritize, and follow up on work assignments.
• Follow verbal and written directions.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations quickly and accurately including cash handling.
• Work independently and as a member of a team.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Act in a courteous and diplomatic manner with members of the public.
• Read, interpret and record data accurately; maintain manual and computerized record keeping systems.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California class C driver's license.
• Completion of a POST Certified PC 832 Principles of Arrest and Citation (40 hour) course within twelve months of appointment.
• Possession and continued maintenance of a Standard First Aid and CPR with AED (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or approved equivalent) certification within twelve months of appointment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to work flexible hours including holidays, evenings, weekends, and split shifts and to report back to work in the event of an emergency.
• Willingness to wear a uniform.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Four months or more experience in a park environment.
• Coursework in natural resources management, forestry, environmental science, or a related field.
• Plumbing experience.
• Ability to speak Spanish.

Career Ladder
Career Ladder

• Chief Ranger
• Senior Ranger
• Ranger I/II
• Ranger Assistant

SALARY - This classification belongs to the Service bargaining unit and has a nine-step salary range. All classifications in this bargaining unit add an additional wage Step J on 7/14/18 by MOU agreement. Appointment may be made commensurate with experience. The current salary schedule is posted on the City website. See for salary practices.
UNION REPRESENTATION - This classification belongs to the Service Employees' bargaining unit. All employees within this unit are represented by the Service Employees' International Union.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted, to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period (unless specified as 12-month by Service Employees MOU) which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
LEAVE
Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.
Sick - 12 days/year
Holidays - up to 11 days/year
Floating Holidays - 24 hours per year - prorated for part-time
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)
Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays 95% of the cost of coverage (pro-rated for part-time).
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage (pro-rated for part-time). Plus an additional $29.50 per pay period.
Life - City provides a $20,000 life insurance policy.
Long Term Disability - City provides a long term disability plan.
RETIREMENT
All new regular employees become members of PERS. Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 9.75% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Accident Protection Insurance
Bilingual Pay if required by position
Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance