Regional Park Ranger

The Regional Park Ranger is directly responsible for the stewardship of Chester County Parks and Trails’ resources and the safety of all park visitors through the coordination of effective patrol practices, appropriate enforcement of County ordinances and compliance with associated regulations. The Regional Park Ranger’s goal is to maintain balance between visitors’ use and park resources through interpretation, education, and enforcement.

• Provide a safe and secure environment for park visitors and staff.
• Enforce the Chester County Parks and Preservation Ordinance.
• Project a professional and positive public image always.
• Participate in administrative responsibilities relative to ranger operations, including but not limited to budget, purchasing, reports and recordkeeping, and inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Develop and coordinate educational responsibilities relative to ranger operations, including but not limited to programming, outreach, and interpretation.
• Develop and coordinate safety and security-related responsibilities relative to ranger operations, including but not limited to patrol and patrol methods, enforcement, water and other rescue, and building/facility/site inspections.
• Provide necessary customer service-related tasks, as needed, including information pertaining to park usage and points of interest, registering vehicles and visitors, collecting fees, and issuing parking and use permits as part of the camping or pavilion use process. 
• Provide timely response and/or minor repairs at park areas to support maintenance operations, including trash removal, restroom maintenance, sign repair and trail clearing.
• Provide immediate first aid or emergency response/rescue efforts to visitors and/or staff, as necessary.
• Perform other duties and tasks, as required.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Two years of job-related experience (i.e., parks and recreation, law enforcement, resource management, education, emergency medicine and/or customer service).
• Must pass the PA ACT 57 separation history check as a condition of hire.
• Must pass PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse Clearance Check, and FBI Fingerprint Background Check as condition of hire.  
• Must pass Act 235 required physical examination (including hearing and vision) and psychological evaluation; drug screening; and credit background check as a condition of hire. 
• Must meet these requirements within three months of hire: Department firearms qualifications, handcuffing, oleoresin capsicum spray, and expandable baton certifications. 
• Must meet these requirements within one year of hire: Act 235 Certification, emergency medical responder (EMR), CPR, AED, O2 administration for the professional, boater’s safety certification, naloxone administration, ICS 100, 200, 700, 800, and Department of Emergency Services radio and MPS certifications.
• Must pass additional background clearances and exam for access to JNET and CLEAN databases. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment.
• Required to work varied shift patterns to ensure park coverage throughout the year, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Required to carry a firearm.
• A valid Class C driver’s license is required.
• The ability to perform routine bicycle patrol is required.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas:  Parks and Recreation, Resource Management, Forestry, History, Agronomy, Biology, or related discipline
• Training or experience in one or more of the following disciplines, including but not limited to prescribed burning, wildlife management, native landscape restoration, volunteer coordination.
• Experience and training in enforcement procedures.
• Knowledge of environmental and/or education interpretation.
• Knowledge of PA Criminal Code, PA Fish & Boat Code, PA Game laws.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

• Intermediate Word skills
• Intermediate Excel skills
• Intermediate Access skill
• Basic PowerPoint skills 
• Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Internet skills 

• Firearms qualifications for day, night, and low-light shooting; Must be free of any significant visual abnormality.
• Close vision  (use of a firearm).                     
• Distant vision (recognition of threats).
• Peripheral vision (recognition of threats).
• Color vision (descriptions of persons, property, etc.).

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Will be required to work outside 80 to 85% of the time (depending on the season) and will be exposed to variable weather conditions.
• Potential for working in extremely hazardous situations when dealing with enforcement issues.

• This position requires professionalism.
• Required to work extended hours, as necessary.
• Must perform fair and impartial enforcement of County real estate rules and regulations.
• Ability to demonstrate and initiate a positive learning environment.