Park Ranger Assistant Part-Time Unbenefited – Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS)

Job Description:

Park Ranger Assistant Part-Time Unbenefited – Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS)

Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at [email protected] .

About the Department

Are you ready to join the team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference?

The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and visit. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’s strategic plan, envisions healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving public places, including over 40 community centers, 10 regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and over 65 miles of trails. We also offer diverse programming for all ages and abilities. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit sanjoseca.gov/prns.

Position Duties

The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department is currently seeking to fill four (4) part-time unbenefited Park Ranger Assistant vacancies in the Parks Division.

CLASS SUMMARY

Under general supervision, performs a variety of specialized duties in support of the City’s parks, trail systems, and/or park facilities. Provides assistance and education to park visitors and participates in the improvement and maintenance of parks, trails, and facilities. Assists Park Rangers in wildland fire suppression and search and rescue. Prepares and presents interpretive programs with Park Rangers, recreation staff, or independently. May respond to medical emergencies and administer first-aid and CPR. Performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level, non-sworn class in the Park Ranger series. Incumbents are required to handle the resource management, interpretive and visitor services functions under general supervision. Park Ranger Assistants are trained and may respond to search and rescue events, medical emergencies, and wildland fire events. An incumbent of this class may provide lead direction to small crews of employees engaged in visitor services, park operations, or volunteer groups. This class is distinguished from Park Ranger in that incumbents have not been deputized and do not perform enforcement or general patrol duties.

The salary range for this classification is $41.58-$50.67 hourly.

Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

One (1) year of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university. This is equivalent to at least 30 semester units or 45 quarter units.

Veterans and active military personnel may substitute this requirement if they:

• Have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard AND

• Have completed two (2) years of active military duty AND

• Have received an honorable discharge from the United States Military.

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.)

• Possession of a valid State of California driver's license.
• Possession of current Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certificates within the first six (6) months of employment.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, including day to day park operations, park interpretive and education programs, conservation, nature and wildlife, natural resource management; Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Conflict Management - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.

Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promote job performance.

Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of the problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Additional Competencies and/or Desirable Qualifications

(Competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities that are more position specific and/or likely to contribute to more successful job performance.)

• Possession of an American Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder or California Emergency Medical Technician certification.
• Completion of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Wildland Fire Fighter Training Certificate (S-130, S-190, L-180, S-110, I-100).
• Possession of the National Interpretive Association (NIA) Certified Interpretive Guide or University of California Certified Naturalist certificate.
• Training in the use of chain saws.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process may consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies at [email protected].

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email [email protected] and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

Part-time positions(less than 40 hours per week) are required to participate in the City’s PTC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan per Federal regulations. Employees are required to contribute 3.75% of gross earning and the City contributes a matching amount of 3.75%. The funds contributed by the City are 100% vested upon initial deferral and will be held in a stability of principal investment. This plan is in lieu of social security and does not include any healthcare benefits or contributions.

Part-time employees may elect to contribute additional retirement savings through the City’s Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Additional Information on both plans can be found on the City’s website.

Closing Date/Time: 7/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$41.58 - $50.67 Hourly