Assistant Ranger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (RANGER/LIFEGUARD) - STATEWIDE RECRUITMENT
This is a Peace Officer Position. To be eligible, you must be an external candidate and meet the minimum qualifications established by the Department of Human Resources AND either be currently eligible or eligible for reinstatement as a PC 830.2, California State Peace Officer.
Positions are available in multiple counties.
STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (PC 830.2 - Full statewide peace officer powers, on- and off-duty)
Incumbents patrol state park lands and waters by vehicle, vessel, horse, or foot; enforce park regulations, state laws, and applicable codes; issue citations; conduct investigations; and effect physical arrests for infractions, misdemeanors, felonies, and warrants.
Officers respond to emergencies, direct critical incidents, perform search-and-rescue operations, provide emergency medical care, assist in wildland/structural fire suppression, and perform traffic control and dispatching as needed.
Specialized assignments may include cliff/technical rescue, ski patrol, public safety diving, surf/swiftwater/flat-water rescue, mounted patrol, off-road vehicle/motorcycle enforcement, or K-9 handler.
Officers are armed with firearms, baton, OC spray, ECD, and restraints; maintain POST firearms and defensive tactics qualifications; and meet ongoing physical fitness and training standards in high-risk, physically demanding environments.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receives a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The percentage of the temporary salary reduction and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are determined by the position's assigned bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction. For additional information regarding PLP 2025, please click here .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (RANGER)
• STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (LIFEGUARD)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-492896
Position #(s):
548-999-0983-XXX
Working Title:
STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (RANGER/LIFEGUARD) External Candidates
Classification:
STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (RANGER) $6,339.00 - $8,802.00 B
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Shall Consider:
STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (LIFEGUARD)
$6,339.00 - $8,802.00 B
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.
Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov
Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) completion of educational courses as specified in the Class Specification (link available in the Minimum Requirements section).
• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Psychological Evaluation clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) POST - Basic, Intermediate, Advanced License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Special requirements:
The position(s), require(s) - Background investigation to be conducted prior to being hired
The position(s), require(s) - Voice Stress Analysis to be conducted prior to being hired
The position(s), require(s) - Medical clearance to be conducted prior to being hired
The position(s), require(s) - Psychological evaluation to be conducted prior to being hired
The position(s), require(s) - a Drug screening be passed prior to being hired
Felonies - No felony conviction
Additional requirements for the State Park Peace Officer (Lifeguard) classification:

• Six months of experience performing the duties of a lifeguard in other than swimming pools
• Swimming ability sufficient to perform lifesaving activities

Application Instructions
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: Until Filled
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Parks & Recreation
Inland Empire District
Attn: Joel Dinnauer
17801 Lake Perris Drive
Perris , CA 92571
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Parks & Recreation
Primary Cert Contact 2
Class & Hiring / POSU
PO Box 942896
Sacramento , CA 94296-001
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Minimum Qualifications

• Current POST Basic Course Completion Certification and/or Current POST Basic Certification or greater (POST Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management)
• Minimum Age - 21
• Employment Eligibility - Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law
• Driver's License - Possession of a valid California driver's license by time of appointment
• Education - Successful completion of two years (60 semester units) of study from a State accredited college or university including a minimum of 21 semester units satisfying the General Education Curriculum (GEC) standards as identified for colleges and universities accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and/or the WAS Senior College and University Commission. In meeting the 21 semester unis GEC standards requirement, applicants must have successfully completed at least one course in each of the following areas:
  • Natural/Social sciences
  • Language
  • Humanities
  • Mathematics
• Hearing - Sufficient to perform the essential job functions
• Vision
  • Corrected visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye and uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye
  • Peripheral visual field of at least 120 degrees horizontally and 100 degrees vertically in each eye
  • Normal color vision, as determined by Ishihara or other color plate tests

Note: The Department of Human Resources requires a 6-month stabilization period for LASIK candidates and a 12-month stabilization period for PRK and RK candidates.
California State Personnel Board Specification:

• California State Personnel Board Specification Ranger
• California State Personnel Board Specification Lifeguard

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Joel Dinnuaer
(916) 926-3080
joel.dinnauer@parks.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Sharon Comas - EEO Office
(916) 653-9990
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Starting Pay
The starting pay for California State Park Peace Officers typically ranges from $6,339- $8,802.00 per month (with POST Basic Certificate.) However, effective October 1, 2024, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) introduced a new ruling, 1707 - Hiring Above Minimum (HAM), which doesn't allow California State Parks to offer salaries above the established minimum for the State Park Peace Officer classifications to address recruitment challenges.
It's important to note that there is no negotiation of starting pay regardless of prior law enforcement experience.
In addition to the base salary, officers can receive Geographic Recruitment and Retention ranging from $200 to $350 per month depending on their county of headquarters and residence. Officers also benefit from Longevity Pay of 2% to 9% after 17 years of service, and Education Pay for holding certain qualifications, such as an Intermediate POST Certificate or equivalent, which adds 2.5% of base pay or a minimum of $120, and an Advanced POST Certificate or equivalent, which adds 5% of base pay or a minimum of $240.
These benefits help offset the starting pay and provide additional incentives for recruitment and retention.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.