PARK RANGER I 40850

(Competitive)

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

 

The work involves responsibility for enforcing State and County laws written to preserve the public order and prevent destruction of property that is owned by Onondaga County and operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The applicable state laws are Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, and Conservation Law, the latter regulating snowmobile use and hunting, fishing, and trapping activity. The applicable County law is Local Law #2, 1965, which regulates park use and prescribes a variety of punitive measures for those who break this law.

The scope of the law enforcement activity is patrol of county lands, investigation of criminal and non-criminal incidents, power to arrest and to issue traffic tickets, and to lend back up assistance to other law enforcement agencies. An employee in this class is a peace officer whose law enforcement authority does extend beyond park property, where such authority is exercised discretely by the individual ranger or through policy statements issued by the Park Ranger II or from an administrative member of the department.

An employee in this class is a peace officer as defined by section 1.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law. However, an employee in this class is not a Police Officer as defined by Criminal Procedure Law.

An employee in this class receives assignments in the form of schedules and other directives from a Park Superintendent, Park Ranger II or other Park Administrator depending upon the work assignment.

The work of an employee in this class is normally reviewed by the employees supervisor to insure productivity and proper interaction with the public and other employees. Law enforcement activity of an employee in this class is reviewed by the Park Ranger II to insure form and application. An employee in this class exercises no supervision. Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

 

Patrols county park property to ensure that people obey appropriate state and county laws relative to public order in parklands.

Patrols county park property to look for damage, vandalism, trail and road obstruction, sign and boundary posting, safety hazards, etc.

Responds to violations of applicable laws within Onondaga County Parks through personal observation, notification from other employees or the public via radio dispatch.

Makes criminal investigations, where criminal offenses occur, by inspecting physical scene, collecting physical evidence, interviewing witnesses and recording their statements; logs information and fills out standard law enforcement information forms.

Makes arrests and issues traffic tickets based upon legal procedures governing these actions.

Responds to non-criminal activity, such as personal injuries, missing people, or stranded motorists, and renders appropriate service; logs the information pertaining to assistance rendered; and fills out standard law enforcement information forms.

May perform first aid techniques as needed.

Participates in crowd control at special park events by directing traffic, answering questions of the public, and observing suspicious activity and responding to that activity to quell disturbances, ordering people to cease activity, etc.

Performs a variety of miscellaneous tasks such as opening and closing parks, transporting personnel and property.

Reads bulletins, reports, and other matter pertinent to law enforcement activities.

Interacts with park visitors in a positive public relations manner answering questions, providing information related to recreation opportunities and available facilities. May distribute informational literature to the public related to the County Parks System.

 

 

 

 

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

Ability to learn and apply appropriate state and local legislation to law enforcement activities.

Ability to learn and apply law enforcement methods such as patrolling, investigating, and observing activity.

Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the public in enforcing laws or rules.

Ability to learn and apply first aid techniques.

Ability to learn park rules and regulations.

Ability to learn how to use and care for firearms.

Ability to follow oral instructions given in briefings and ability to follow written instructions such as schedules, bulletins and reports.

Ability to express oneself clearly orally as in giving testimony or making a briefing to supervisor and ability to express oneself clearly in writing, as in logging information and in filling out standard law enforcement information forms.

Ability to interact with the public in positive, non-confrontational situations in a manner conducive to promoting the County Parks System in a positive, supportive manner.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Successful completion of the basic in-service training program for Peace Officer prior to the successful completion of the probationary period.

Possession of a valid operator's license issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles at time of appointment.

Eligibility for a pistol permit issued by the County of Onondaga at time of appointment.

 

11/02 Revised