Park Ranger Assistant

The Parks & Recreation Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is seeking a Park Ranger Assistant to join our team.

The selected candidate will assist in the patrolling of assigned park areas and in enforcing park rules and regulations. Assist in the development and presentation of a variety of on-site programs. Perform a variety of routine maintenance and grounds keeping tasks.

Your strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to provide excellent customer service to the public will make you successful in this role. Candidates should be comfortable working outside and working in a park's customer service environment.

About the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
The Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) includes the Division of Surface Water Management, the Division of Parks & Recreation, the Office of Energy and Sustainability and the Office of Agriculture and aims to achieve high-priority environmental sustainability goals.

About Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation manages almost 12,000 acres of parks and open space; over 110 park properties; 100s of miles of trails and access to fresh and saltwater shorelines. Major regional park assets such as the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Kayak Point Park, Lord Hill Park and the Centennial and Interurban Trail systems host local, regional and national events that draw over 4 million visitors each year to Snohomish County.

Parks plays a critical role in building livable and sustainable communities. They contribute to the health and wellness of individual citizens and communities by providing safe places to walk, swim, ride, run, recreate and play. County parks, events, trails and open space are on the front line of regional economic development efforts. Each year the region receives more than 50 million dollars in positive economic impact through camping and overnight lodging, special events and tournaments, environmental education and tourism that take place in Snohomish County parks and recreation facilities.

Some of the greatest assets we have in Snohomish County are our unparalleled beauty and abundant natural resources. From the Puget Sound and five watersheds, to forestland, lakes, farms, ranches and parks, our quality of life, economic prosperity and future sustainability are dependent on protecting and improving our environmental resources. Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web page to learn more.

About Snohomish County
Snohomish County is located north of Seattle in Northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. When joining DCNR, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement are highly encouraged and supported. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefits package to employees and their dependents. We are invested in your success and growth and offer competitive wages, job flexibility & stability, employer paid ORCA cards, and a friendly, diverse team atmosphere where employees are appreciated and make a real difference providing services for our citizens. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career.

• Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The County’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
• Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
• Other benefits include wellness, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, long term disability, and more.
• Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
• Pay Increases: You will be eligible for a step increase each year until you reach the top step.
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Career development training.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Assists in the patrolling of assigned park areas and may assist in enforcement of park rules and regulations.
• Cleans, sanitizes restrooms, replenishes towels, toilet tissue, soap and other supplies; empties waste baskets, collects and disposes of garbage and litter; cleans picnic shelters; clears trails and sweeps, rakes and picks up trash from grounds; cleans fire rings and fireplaces.
• Mows, edges, trims, irrigates and fertilizes lawns; weeds planting beds; irrigates, fertilizes and maintains a variety of flowers, plants, shrubs and trees.
• Assists Park Ranger in the inspection of park grounds and facilities; corrects or reports unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
• Makes minor repairs to picnic tables, benches, garbage receptacles, play structures and other structures.
• Operates trucks, tractors, power mowers, chain saws, weedeaters, and other small power equipment; may provide minor equipment repair.
• Answers questions and provides information on the county park system to park users; opens and closes park gates.
• Renders First Aid, CPR, or other emergency assistance as necessary.
• Maintains required records and prepares routine reports.
• Installs and maintains signs.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

• May assist in presenting nature interpretation and environmental education programs or other informational programs.
• May paint various structures and equipment; may participate in the repair and construction of park facilities and grounds improvements such as trails, picnic areas, day use areas, swimming areas, playgrounds and campgrounds.
• May collect campground and other fees.
• May provide oversight and guidance over temporary, seasonal and part time help.
• May perform security checks of grounds and buildings.
• Performs related duties as required.

Two (2) years parks experience; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Must be 18 years old. Must pass job related tests.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid Washington State Driver's License is required for employment.
Possession of/or ability to obtain a valid First Aid/CPR card within ninety (90) days of employment.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• park rules and regulations
• routine maintenance practices, procedures and techniques
• basic First Aid methods and CPR
• basic safety practices to prevent on the job injuries

Ability to:

• communicate effectively with the general public
• use common janitorial equipment and solutions skillfully and safely
• properly clean and stock assigned areas
• perform strenuous physical work
• follow oral and written instructions on the use of cleaning equipment and supplies
• read, understand and follow safety rules and regulations
• drive a car, pickup truck, or van safely and courteously
• work independently on assigned tasks
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, co workers and the general public

PHYSICAL EFFORT
The work involves a variety of routine manual labor tasks requiring some strenuous physical effort such as lifting object weighing in excess of fifty (50) pounds.

SUPERVISION
Employees in this class report to a Senior Park Ranger or Park Ranger. The work is routine and recurring in nature and may be spot checked to ensure timely completion and compliance with instructions, procedures and standards. specific instructions are given for unusual and non routine tasks.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed primarily outdoors in all types of weather. Employees are required to work evenings, weekends and holidays as required.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
EEO policy and ADA notice