Park Ranger I

Overview

The Boston Parks & Recreation Department manages one of the oldest urban park systems in the United States, consisting of over 330 parks, playgrounds, urban wilds, and cemeteries. The basic purpose of a Park Ranger is to provide a variety of services to Park patrons, including programming, wayfinding, and resource protective measures, and promote compliance with Parks Department rules and regulations, as well as City of Boston ordinances and general laws.

Reporting to the Chief of the Park Ranger/Executive Secretary or a designee, Park Rangers may patrol on foot, in vehicles, in watercraft, on bicycles, or on horseback.

Responsibilities

Provide a wide variety of public safety, programming, and assistance services to park users and visitors, including but not limited to:

• As assigned by a supervisor, conducts patrols of Boston Park property or staff fixed security posts as necessary to ensure safety and compliance with applicable rules, ordinances, and laws. 
• Executes various public programs, including but not limited to nature walks, hikes, natural history tours, tours of historic sites and parks, and various other programs designed to engage and educate park patrons.
• Provides a public presence and acts as a deterrent to criminal activity and/or rule violations.
• Conducts crowd control in areas where large groups of people have gathered in a manner consistent with training, policy, and procedure.
• May be required to place barriers, fencing, ropes, signs, etc., to maintain public order at various events with Boston Parks Department property.
• Controls vehicular and pedestrian traffic, when necessary, to avoid congestion and promote public safety.
• Comes to the aid of fellow Rangers, first responders, city employees, and the public, offering assistance when necessary, including first aid and/or CPR.
• Detects and responds to suspicious/unusual activity which may be a threat to patrons; reports suspicious activity and potential threats to the supervisor and law enforcement officials according to policy and procedure.
• Responds to emergencies as necessary or as directed in order to deter, prevent, de-escalate, render aid, make reports, and provide assistance in accordance with training, policy, and procedure. Coordinates with law enforcement officials and first responders in regard to theft, property damage, bodily harm, injuries, and disruptive conduct.
• Reports all incidents, accidents, and/or emergencies immediately to supervisors and proper authorities according to policy and procedure. Makes entries into logs and completes other relevant paperwork.
• Issue non-criminal and parking citations on all roads and property within the appropriate jurisdiction.
• Participates in various natural resource management efforts, including egg addling and monitoring of invasive species.
• Interacts with the public, gives directions, and responds to inquiries.
• Provides clear direction and information to patrons.
• Performs duties that prevent and/or suppress small fires, reporting fires to the fire department as needed.
• May appear in court in relation to involvement or witnessing incidents.
• Interacts with and handles urban wildlife as well as domestic animals, including but not limited to geese, ducks, dogs, and horses.
• Upon completion of training, may conduct mounted patrols and perform tasks related to the care and maintenance of the Department’s horses. 
• May assist in training and/or oversight of volunteers, youth employees, or interns.
• May assist in the development of interpretive programming.
• Performs other related duties as required. 

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Applicants must have (A) at least two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in park or resource management, environmental education, public safety, water resources or water supply management, or natural/cultural history interpretation, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
• Substitutions: I. The completion of an approved park ranger training program, OR An Associate's degree or higher with a major in park or recreation management, natural resource management, water resources management, environmental education, park interpretation, or other field directly related to the job description, may be substituted for the required experience. * Education towards such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Special Requirements:

• Successful completion of Boston Park Ranger Training Academy within three (3) months of hire.
• Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts motor vehicle operator's license.
• Possession of a current and valid CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) certificate from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association within three (3) months of hire and continuous maintenance of same for the duration of employment.
• Must be willing to work outdoors in inclement weather typical to the region, including snow, rain, heat, cold, etc.
• The ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time is required.
• Availability to work mandatory overtime shifts, including nights and weekends, as needed.
• Able to exercise good judgment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in writing and speech. The ability to communicate verbally in multiple languages is a plus.
• Must be able to perform under changing and stressful situations.
• Must be able to pass a background and CORI check.
• Pre-employment physical and drug testing will be required of successful applicants.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Employment Site:Boston Parks and Recreation DepartmentFranklin Park Maintenance Yard/Various Park Locations

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: BPR/PR1-01

Hours per week: 40