Park Ranger Protection Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description 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 ConditionsEffective 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. Examples of Duties The State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Ranger), State Park Peace Officer (Ranger) and the State Park Peace Officer Supervisor (Ranger) classes perform professional and technical duties. The duties include public safety and law enforcement, patrol, park operations, education or interpretive services, resource protection/management, assisting with program management activities, visitor facilities operations and services, and may supervise and/or lead seasonal and lower-level permanent staff.

Incumbents may also perform staff functions of comparable difficulty and responsibility in an academy training assignment. The work is performed in State Park field districts and units throughout the State of California. Districts and units include State Park reserves, historical units, recreational areas, beaches, wayside campground, underwater parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, and Boating and Waterways Division.

Incumbents are trained and designated as sworn California State Park Peace Officers. Their authority extends statewide (on or off duty). They patrol park grounds by vehicle, boat, and foot or horse patrol; enforce park regulations and issue citations; write reports; make physical arrests for misdemeanors, felonies, and warrants; conduct criminal and administrative investigations; take command in emergencies; perform search and rescue activities; assist in wildland and structural fire suppression; provide emergency medical assistance and aid; and may also perform traffic control and radio dispatching.

Incumbents may perform specialized assignments in cliff rescue; ski patrol; scuba diving; ocean, surf, river, and lake rescue; horse patrol; off-road vehicle and motorcycle patrol; or as a canine team handler. Incumbents are required to use protective equipment. The equipment includes various types of firearms, batons, chemical agents, and handcuffs.

Incumbents are regularly trained and tested in physical defensive tactics and firearms use. Typical Qualifications Applicants may be admitted into the examination without meeting the requirements within the "All Levels" section, but the applicant must meet those requirements prior to appointment. For the education requirement, students who have completed 30 semester units of the required education may apply, but they must satisfactorily complete the required education before they can be appointed.

Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles; and Must meet the peace officer selection standards developed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training per Penal Code section 13510(a).; and Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. Testing of current employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have a current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement; and Education: Completion of 60 semester units at an accredited college or university including a minimum of 21 semester units satisfying the General Education Curriculum standards as identified for colleges and universities accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.