Chief Park Ranger

Posting number: 001949-26-YPCE

Department: Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment

Division: Park Safety

Job classification: Chief Park Ranger

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Code Enforcement, Accounting and Finance, Public Relations, Public Safety, Recreation, Management, Investigative, Professional, Parks and Recreation, Miscellaneous, Parks, Safety, Urban Forestry, Training, Security, Communications

Summary

Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.

The City of Sacramento is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Park Ranger to lead the Park Ranger Division within the Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment. This position oversees 14 full-time employees, provides oversight for division operations, including enforcement of municipal code, to ensure the safe and lawful use of the City's 243 parks, parkways, bike trails, and open space areas spanning over 4,360 acres.

The ideal candidate for Chief Park Ranger is an experienced, forward-thinking public safety leader who is committed to protecting parks, natural resources, and the well-being of the community. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in law enforcement within a parks or public-lands environment and have demonstrated success managing and developing diverse teams. This individual excels at strategic planning, operational management, and building effective field-training and mentoring programs. They possess exceptional judgment and the ability to interpret, apply, and enforce city ordinances, government codes, and state laws with fairness, consistency, and professionalism. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative problem-solver who builds strong relationships with internal departments, community groups, and partner agencies. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be skilled at evaluating service delivery methods, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing systems that enhance efficiency and impact.

The purpose of this position is to manage, supervise, plan, organize, and coordinate the activities and services of the Park Ranger Division.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
 
The Chief Park Ranger is a single-position management-level classification and designated Peace Officer. The incumbent is responsible for the management, supervision, planning, administering the day-to-day operations of the Park Ranger Division to enforce the application of city ordinances, government codes, and state law related to the use of parks and public facilities of the city.

This classification is distinguished from the next lower-level classification of Park Ranger Supervisor in that the latter is responsible for day-to-day supervision, training, and assigning work of personnel whereas the former is responsible for a broader range of management activities.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
 
Limited supervision is provided by the Assistant Director, or other higher-level personnel. Directly and indirectly supervise lower-level supervisory and technical personnel.

Examples of duties

• Plan, organize, coordinate, administer, and direct the work and development of the Park Ranger Division. 
• Develop field-training and mentoring programs. 
• Oversee the investigation of staff complaints, complete the preparation and processing of appropriate corrective orders and acts. 
• Manage the development and implementation of long-range goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs.
• Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures. Develop and implement systems to enhance efficiency and evaluate impact.
• Ensure compliance of division activities to pertinent codes, regulations, and guidelines. Work closely with public and private organizations or individuals to explain or coordinate proposed programs.
• Manage the preparation of annual budgets, prepare recommendations for budget requests, and authorize and monitor expenditures.
• Prepare or review reports for the Director, Council, boards, commissions and other organizations. 
• Serve on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees. Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.  
• Perform related work of a similar natu