Park Ranger I (Multiple Positions/Parks and Recreation Department)

Job Description:

Park Ranger I (Multiple Positions/Parks and Recreation Department)

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus one (1) year of experience in a field related to the job.
• Graduation from the City of Austin Park Ranger Academy and Field Training Program within six (6) months of hire date

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas Driver’s License.
• May be required to obtain certification in CPR , First Aid, Water Safety Instruction, or other certifications applicable to the assignment.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Park Ranger I position is to serve an ambassador for the City of Austin’s park system and promote responsible recreation, cultivate stewardship, and conserve our parks’ cultural and natural resources for the benefit of our entire community. Rangers must possess the ability to communicate and work effectively with Austin’s racially, ethnically, gender fluid, and socioeconomically diverse communities to showcase the department’s commitment to providing equitable access, opportunities, and enjoyment for our park system by all.

Primary tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Park Rangers request compliance with Park laws and regulation, develop, administer, and evaluate educational and interpretive programming aimed at garnering stewardship, responsible recreation and leave no trace ethics in outdoor spaces, as well as to lead volunteer groups, on conservation and park beautification projects throughout Austin’s park system.
• Rangers assist with public awareness programs/promotion(s), special events, city wide events and marketing.
• Rangers oversee matters relating to the preservation of the natural and cultural resources of Austin’s park lands.
• Assists with natural resource programs including encroachment investigations, boundary walks, wildfire mitigation and prescribed burns.
• Provides customer service and assists citizens on park land.
• Provides first aid response, when necessary, to level of training.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
• Complies with all City of Austin rules, regulations, and procedures.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Driving Requirement:This position requires candidate to possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. If you cannot meet these conditions, you may be deemed ineligible for this position.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying, pushing, pulling or using a force equal to lifting up to thirty (30) pounds. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases, and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Other Information:

• Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$21.63 - $23.79 per hour.
Hours
Work/Location Schedule Notes:

• This is a 40 hour per week position and shifts/workdays for this position will vary.
• The work schedule for this position will require some evenings, weekends, and holiday shifts.
• May be required to work during special events outside the normal hours for programming and operating needs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 04/09/2025 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 2200 S. Lakeshore Blvd., Austin, TX 78741 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Education:

• Coursework in education, natural sciences, cultural studies, or related fields.

Preferred Certifications:

• Certified Interpretive Guide Training, Wilderness First Aid, Project Wild, Leave No trace or similar outdoor recreation or educational certification.
  
  

Preferred Experience:

• Experience as a Park Ranger, Austin Park Ranger Cadet Intern or similar experience.
• Direct experience with land management and conservation.
• Direct experience coordinating programs and/or classes.
• Experience with bike riding and hiking, sometimes over rough surfaces, or inclines, while carrying backpack, tools, equipment.
• Experience working with diverse populations.

Preferred Knowledge:

• Knowledge of cultural and natural history of Central Texas.

Preferred Ability:

• Ability to fluently communicate (reading, writing, speaking) in English, Spanish or other language.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Patrols parks and facilities and requests compliance with policies, laws, and ordinances in the City of Austin parkland. Provides customer service to park patrons and informs the public about park information, rules, regulations, laws, ordinances, and municipal codes. Assists first responder agencies, provides first aid, and determines need for and requests emergency services. Completes incident reports and other routine documentation. Documents daily park patrol activity and metrics using GIS and mobile tools. Issues notices of park exclusions/offenses and/or electronic citations for violations. Applies mitigation strategies and determines application of established protocols for illegal activities. Develops, organizes, and/or administers educational and interpretive trainings for the public. Interprets natural and historical features in and around the City of Austin parks. Assists with public events, programs, and volunteer projects. Assists with conservation assignments by assisting Resource staff with prescribed burns and by providing fire monitoring and control measures, invasive species removals, and revegetation projects. Assists with minor construction, maintenance, and/or repair projects.

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods
• Knowledge of general safety rules, regulations, and laws.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritizing work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to handle conflict and uncertain situations.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in environments that are consistently changing.
• Ability to ride a bicycle or hike long distances daily with a backpack on uneven terrain over long distances in hot, cold, or inclement weather and adverse conditions.
• Ability to bike and swim at a basic skill level.
• Ability to complete a one (1) - three (3) mile bike assessment in twenty (20) minutes or less.
• Ability to undergo self-defense training to include various standard techniques and methods.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus one (1) year of experience in a field related to the job, and the ability to graduate from the City of Austin Park Ranger Academy and Field Training Program within six (6) months of hire date. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes.
• No.

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver license by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* In reviewing the preferred qualifications section of this job posting, please describe in 500 words or less how you meet those preferred qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* As related to this position, list all certifications to the Park Ranger vocation that you currently possess - such as but not limited to Certified Interpretive Guide, Leave No Trace, Wildland Fire, EMS/EMT, Wildlife Rescue, Project Wild, Basic Wildland Fire Training, Basic and Intermediate FEMA Incident Command, etc.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please select the answer that best describes your level of experience and comfort while hiking.

• I have no experience hiking.
• I have experience and feel comfortable hiking on paved/granite surfaces, and smooth trail surfaces.
• I have experience and feel comfortable hiking on all types of terrain, paved surfaces, rough terrain, and rocky trails.

* Do you have the ability to fluently communicate in a language other than English? If so, what language(s)?
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* Are you related to any person employed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department? If yes, please list the relative's name and relationship:
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents