State Park Ranger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $90,604.80 - $127,504.00 Annually
Location : Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Career
Job Number: 001949-26-YPCE
Department: Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment
Division: Park Safety
Opening Date: 06/18/2026
Closing Date: 7/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
THE POSITION
Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.
The City of Sacramento is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Park Ranger to lead the Park Ranger Division within the Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment. This position oversees 14 full-time employees, provides oversight for division operations, including enforcement of municipal code, to ensure the safe and lawful use of the City's 243 parks, parkways, bike trails, and open space areas spanning over 4,360 acres.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate for Chief Park Ranger is an experienced, forward-thinking public safety leader who is committed to protecting parks, natural resources, and the well-being of the community. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in law enforcement within a parks or public-lands environment and have demonstrated success managing and developing diverse teams. This individual excels at strategic planning, operational management, and building effective field-training and mentoring programs. They possess exceptional judgment and the ability to interpret, apply, and enforce city ordinances, government codes, and state laws with fairness, consistency, and professionalism. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative problem-solver who builds strong relationships with internal departments, community groups, and partner agencies. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be skilled at evaluating service delivery methods, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing systems that enhance efficiency and impact.
The purpose of this position is to manage, supervise, plan, organize, and coordinate the activities and services of the Park Ranger Division.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Chief Park Ranger is a single-position management-level classification and designated Peace Officer. The incumbent is responsible for the management, supervision, planning, administering the day-to-day operations of the Park Ranger Division to enforce the application of city ordinances, government codes, and state law related to the use of parks and public facilities of the city.
This classification is distinguished from the next lower-level classification of Park Ranger Supervisor in that the latter is responsible for day-to-day supervision, training, and assigning work of personnel whereas the former is responsible for a broader range of management activities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Limited supervision is provided by the Assistant Director, or other higher-level personnel. Directly and indirectly supervise lower-level supervisory and technical personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, organize, coordinate, administer, and direct the work and development of the Park Ranger Division.
• Develop field-training and mentoring programs.
• Oversee the investigation of staff complaints, complete the preparation and processing of appropriate corrective orders and acts.
• Manage the development and implementation of long-range goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs.
• Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures. Develop and implement systems to enhance efficiency and evaluate impact.
• Ensure compliance of division activities to pertinent codes, regulations, and guidelines. Work closely with public and private organizations or individuals to explain or coordinate proposed programs.
• Manage the preparation of annual budgets, prepare recommendations for budget requests, and authorize and monitor expenditures.
• Prepare or review reports for the Director, Council, boards, commissions and other organizations.
• Serve on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees. Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Perform related work of a similar nature and level assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
None
Experience:
Five (5) years of experience supervising personnel performing ranger activities in a public recreational park or historical area, law enforcement work, or investigative work.
OR
Five (5) years of supervisory experience in a position involving field investigations in code, ordinance, or regulation violations.
Substitution of Experience:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, park administration, recreation administration, natural resource management, or a closely related field may substitute for one two (2) years of the required experience.
OR
An associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, park administration, recreation administration, natural resource management, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
PROOF OF EDUCATION
Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application andwill be required at the time of appointmentUnofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment.
Certification:

• Possession of a State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Penal Code 832A Certificate is required at the time of appointment.
• Possession of an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certificate is required at the time of appointment.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION
Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
Felony Convictions
Free of felony convictions (California Government Code 1029).
Background:
Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, and drug use history.
Medical/Drug Test:
Must pass a medical examination and drug test.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work conditions
Incumbent may be required to work irregular hours, including days, evenings, weekends and holidays.
Environmental Conditions:
May work outside in various types of weather.
Physical Conditions:
Walking, running, standing or climbing on slippery, even or uneven, paved or unpaved surfaces, may carry heavy objects up to 50 lbs.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Not applicable. This is an exempt from civil service, at-will classification and does not serve a probationary period.
THE SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.
1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.
• Proof of certification and/or license should be submitted online with your application. Proof of certification and/or license will be required at time of appointment.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.

• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee:(Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.
4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.
5. Background Process: If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and drug use history.
6. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.
QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.
Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento 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.
Additional Information
Civil Service Rules:
Union Contracts:
Salary Schedule:
01
APPLICATION: I understand my application must meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. The experience I list in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section of the employment application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum qualifications as stated on the job announcement. A resume, responses to the supplemental questions requiring a narrative response, employment history listed elsewhere in the application or attachments will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section of the employment application. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qual