Park Ranger-Finlay Park

This position performs diverse duties assisting in the day-to-day operation, maintenance and patrol of the Three Rivers Greenway and related City of Columbia facilities; provides safety and security of parks and patrons; and exercises tact and courtesy in contact with the public, distributing general information and leading educational and recreational programs.  The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision

The work is considered medium-to-heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, stooping, lifting, digging, pushing or raising objects and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. Must be physically fit and able to defend one’s self from attack or physical assault. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright / dim light, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, dusts and pollen, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. 

• Opens, closes and patrols assigned area during hours of operation; providing professional law enforcement services within the authority of Class 3 Law Enforcement Certification;
• Patrols recreation areas on foot and/or vehicle to monitor users’ activities and maintain a safe environment;
• Maintains park facilities for use by the public; prepares park facilities for daily use; cleans and sets up facilities as reserved; repairs damaged equipment and structures;
• Performs general maintenance of park grounds, buildings, equipment and related facilities; mows and edges grounds; repairs structures and equipment; picks up litter/debris, empties trash containers;
• Maintains and repairs electrical components and equipment; 
• Cleans, services, repairs and/or replaces irrigation system and equipment; 
• Performs general carpentry work for building construction/renovation as required;
• Performs customer service functions; provides information and assistance relating to park facilities or activities; conducts presentations for groups; responds to routine questions/complaints; researches problems and initiates problem resolution;
• Inspects park and facilities to identify problems or safety hazards needing repair or attention;
• Assists in monitoring inventory of department equipment and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work; initiates request for new/replacement materials;
• Prepares and completes various forms, reports and documents.        Complies or monitors data pertaining to department operations. Performs clerical duties as needed;
• Communicates with supervisor, co-workers and the public as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work and resolve problems;
• Attends meetings, training, workshops, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed;
• Attends required periodic training sessions and seminars.        Keeps abreast of current federal and state laws and City of Columbia ordinances; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• High school diploma or GED;
• One (1) year of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

• Knowledge of basic addition and subtraction, such as making change or measuring;
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instruction;
• Ability to perform duties under stress when confronted with emergency situations;
• Ability to write and speak with and before others with poise and confidence, using correct English and a well-modulated voice;
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing;
• Ability to provide guidance, assistance and/or interpretation to others as well as the ability to read a variety of informational documents;
• Ability to compare or inspect items against a standard;
• Ability to speak or signal to people to convey or exchange information of a general nature;
• Ability to lead, operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as vehicles, heavy equipment, lawn care equipment, shop tools, etc.  Involves operations of limited scope;
• Ability to perform semi-skilled work involving set procedures and rules but with frequent problems;
• Ability to read simple sentences, instructions or work orders; writing simple sentences and completing simple job forms; speaking simple sentences using basic grammar;
• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks prescribed by standard practices but which may require computation, the use of several procedures, and the use of independent judgments with obvious choices; requires normal attention for accurate results; and
• Ability to take action of others, requiring almost constant decisions affecting co-workers, customers or others in the general public; works in a moderately fluid environment with guidelines and rules, but frequent variations from the routine.