Park Ranger Lead

Hello, we’reMetro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Parks and Nature department is looking for a Park Ranger Lead to oversee, coordinate, conserve, and enhance public recreation, events, operations, natural resource, and maintenance functions.

As the Park Ranger Lead you will

• Assist and participate in, with management, supervisory and other personnel, park planning, recreation, sustainability, evaluation and specialty area functions.
• Oversee and perform a wide variety of multi-skilled tasks in the layout and construction, maintenance, and repair of park areas, gates and facilities, which, depending on assigned parks, may include boat ramps, cemeteries, trails, forests, wilderness areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, amphitheaters and other areas.
• Oversee and perform maintenance and upkeep on a variety of hand and power tools and equipment such as dump trucks, pickup trucks, power mowers, chain saws, cement mixers, air compressors, backhoes, brush and stump chippers, or trimmers.
• Coordinate and perform specialty area functions such as sustainability and conservation projects, communications and visitor enhancements, and public areas access maintenance.
• Coordinate and work with community agency partners and other agencies to create park and facility improvements, facilities, programs, access routes and services.
• Lead, instruct and perform park maintenance and repair tasks such as chemical spraying and organic control tasks, clearing roads and trails, cleaning and stocking restrooms, removing garbage and litter, and planting and cultivating trees, shrubs and lawns.
• Lead, instruct and repair and build park facilities such as water systems, restrooms and other structures; picnic tables, barbecues, fences, signs, walks and trails; may involve tasks such as building forms and pouring concrete, painting, carpentry, grading and road repairs.
• Open and/or close parks and may be placed in charge of parks during absence of management or supervisory personnel; give information and directions to the public; collect fees; enforce rules and regulations and issues citations, if necessary.
• Operate a computer and prepare and revise reports, documents and spreadsheets.
• Orient, train, and lead a crew of Park Rangers, temporary or alternative park workers; give work assignments and assure safe and proper completion of work.
• Keep records of work progress, equipment repair and maintenance, and supplies; perform related administrative work.
• Research, develop and coordinate training opportunities for Park Rangers; make sure Park Rangers are complying with the Parks Training and Education Plan.
• Direct and respond to a variety of emergency, wildlife or natural resource issues or complaints. Implement emergency closure of parks and/or facilities due to public health, fire, storm, safety and other issues. Also provide first responder and first aid services.
• Oversee and collects fee generated by park use and attendance, perform credit cards and cashier tasks, count and secure receipts, prepare reconciliations and prepare deposits.
• Purchase and maintain stocks of park, campground, natural resource and office supplies. Also coordinate with management to hire contractors for services such as electrical repair, paving, road maintenance or campground repairs.
• Work with managers, supervisors, planners, Park Rangers, Naturalists and other persons on day-to-day project planning and assessing site specific needs, research information and prepare cost estimates for services contracts or capital improvement projects.
• Conduct staff meetings in absence of manager or supervisor; participate in regular and special operations, sustainability and evaluation meetings with management and staff.
• Compile data for reports.
• Develop safe work habits and contribute to the safety of self and co-workers. Contribute to, and foster, a positive team atmosphere.
• Have regular and punctual attendance.
• Performs assigned duties during an emergency situation.

Attributes for success

• Experience serving as the primary on-site point of contact for daily park operations.
• Experience organizing and adjusting work assignments based on operational and visitor needs.
• Experience mentoring or coaching Park Rangers, seasonal staff, and/or volunteers.
• Ability to communicate clearly through written documentation and verbal updates.
• Experience addressing complex visitor interactions using customer service and de-escalation skills.
• Experience promoting safe work practices and supporting field-based safety efforts.
• Experience assisting with planning or tracking maintenance, operations, or park improvement projects.
• Ability to foster a workplace that supports equity and respect for all.
• Commitment to advancing racial equity and use a racial equity lens to assist in identifying and removing barriers for historically marginalized groups and creating welcoming visitor experiences.
• Inclusive communication.
• Complex, large scale regional park systems, natural areas, and specialty areas such as campgrounds, wilderness roads, trails, forests, maintenance and construction.
• Complex, large scale regional park flora, fauna, forests, wildlife, wilderness areas, geological and environmental systems and resources.
• Complex, large scale regional park project management methods and techniques of development as well as park protection, enhancement and restoration.
• Pesticide regulations, sprays and chemicals and their usage.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent from an accredited college with major course work in parks, natural resources, education, horticulture or forestry, AND
• Five years Park Ranger related public recreation, lead, project management, maintenance, construction, operations, sustainability and evaluation responsibilities; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Required qualifications

• Ability to successfully pass a Metro criminal history background check.
• Ability to successfully pass the Multnomah County Sheriff background check to obtain a Multnomah County Limited Commissioned Officer status.
• A valid driver's license.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain upon hire, and maintain First Aid/CPR Certification.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within six months and maintain a:
  • Commercial Driver's License (Class A),
  • Oregon Pesticide Applicator License, and
  • Limited Multnomah County’s Sheriff’s Commission

Background Check

• The candidate selected for the position must pass the Metro criminal history background check prior to being hired.
• Upon completion of the probation period must pass the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office criminal history background check that includes, but not limited to, the review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving and military to obtain Limited Commissioned Officer status.
• Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Driving Record Check

• The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a Driving Record check prior to being hired.
• Speeding tickets do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Working Conditions: Duties may require prolonged strenuous efforts in hazardous locations in enclosed spaces and at heights and under inclement weather and other adverse conditions.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Work area:

Oxbow Regional Park

Work week:

Tuesday – Friday (November 1st – Mid March)

Tuesday – Saturday (Mid March – October 31st)

Schedule:

4, 10 hour days (November 1st – Mid March)

5, 8 hour days (Mid March – October 31s)

• Shifts include a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.
• The work schedule for these positions is subject to change, in accordance with Article 10 of the LUINA Local 483 and Metro collective bargaining agreement.

Note: Oxbow Regional Park is not on bus routes and public transportation in the area is limited.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience providing day-to-day work direction and on-the-job training to staff or work crews.
• Experience coordinating staff response during operational emergencies or incidents and completing required documentation.
• Experience enforcing rules, policies, or regulations in a public setting using professional judgment and de-escalation skills.
• Experience handling fees, cash transactions, reconciliations, and related recordkeeping.
• Experience coordinating work across multiple shifts, schedules, or park locations.
• Experience leading or facilitating safety briefings or operational training for staff.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Responses to supplemental questions
• Supplemental questions may be required and used to assess minimum qualifications and relevant experience.
• Supplemental question responses must be complete and address each question as written.
• Applications will be reviewed for clearly demonstrated lead, operational, safety, and park-related experience.
• Applications that do not clearly demonstrate relevant experience may not be advanced.
• Due to application volume, only the most qualified candidates will move forward in the recruitment process.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-hourly range for this position is step 1: $38.45 to step 5: $49.05.However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on theOregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1: $38.45 to the equity range Step 4:$46.15.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA 483. It is classified as aPark Ranger – Lead.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Christina Rentas

Email: Christina.rentas@oregonmetro.gov

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics.Metrohas established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s“How to apply”page.

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Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, Parks and Nature helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.