Internship Pinellas County Park Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

I. General Statement of Duties

Performs responsible public safety work in enforcing civil ordinances and animal control in the Town, including the beach area. A Park Ranger II is also eligible as a sworn law enforcement officer.

II. Major Duties and Responsibilities

An employee in this class is responsible for conducting a program of animal control in the Town, and for enforcing a variety of civil ordinances through issuing citations and informing the public of potential infractions. The majority of time is spent in the patrol of the Town and beach area for animals and for civil violations, answering calls and investigating complaints concerning stray, wild and/or domestic animals or for infractions or fights. Initiative is required in the effort to ensure that animal owners and the public comply with regulations, and considerable tact is necessary in dealing with the public in a variety of situations. Independent judgment must be exercised in deciding what action to take if animals cannot be readily captured.

A. Patrols the Town for stray animals; answers calls; investigates complaints and picks up stray animals; traps; takes apprehended animals to the shelter; enforces animal ordinances.

B. Patrols beach area and issues appropriate warning and citations; issues citations and tickets for violations of animal control ordinances and for ordinances in areas such as littering, illegal surfing, open containers, open beach fires, illegal diving or fishing from bridges or piers; answers questions and explains procedures for compliance.

C. Investigate cases of cruelty to animals and recommend appropriate action; takes wounded animals to veterinarians for care; testifies in court, when necessary, on a variety of cases and complaints.

D. Educates community on safe animal handling practices.

E. Takes care of animals at the shelter and transports to county.

F. Order supplies for the Park Ranger staff.

G. Operates a 4-wheel drive vehicle that is operable for beach patrol; animal handling equipment; sets traps and cages to collect wild and vicious animals.

H. Assists animal owners with wounded animals; disposes of dead animals.

I. Maintains completed records on activities; keeps logs on daily activities and calls.

J. Acts as a sworn law enforcement officer when required by the Police Department. Abides by CALEA standards.

K. Maintain operational readiness and stay updated with Town Ordinances and State laws.

L. Assists Town departments with activities as needed, including in weather emergencies and special events.

M. Duties may include assigning tasks, and assisting with schedules or on-call operations. Training new Rangers and ensuring ongoing skills are at required expectations.

N. Public facing role that includes acting as a liaison with outside organizations and the public.

O. Performs related duties as required.

Note that this role requires both animal control and law enforcement duties.

III. Controls

This position is under the Police Department. Work is performed under regular supervision of the Police Chief. This position is non-exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

IV. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A. Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances.

B. Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods and equipment.

C. Working knowledge of safely capturing animals.

D. Skilled in the use of firearms.

E. Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.

F. Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.

G. Ability to present effective court testimony.

H. Ability to deal constructively and tactfully with the public in enforcement and informational capacities and to maintain composure in stressful situations.

I. Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens.

J. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and other public officials.

V. Physical Requirements

A. Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, hearing, kneeling, reaching, feeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, crawling, fingering, and performing repetitive motions.

B. Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50-100 pound of force occasionally; 20 pounds frequently; and 10 pounds constantly.

C. Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.

VI. Education and Experience

A. Graduation from high school

B. Completion of basic law enforcement training; possession of a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

C. For assignment as an Officer II: possession of the appropriate certifications and other requirements as specified by the Town.

D. Park Ranger program or equivalent.

This position is a paygrade 18.