Urban Park Ranger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $80,730.50 - $97,146.52 Annually
Location : Fremont, CA
Job Type: Full-time, regular
Job Number: 26CS03
Department: Community Services
Division: CS-Park Rangers
Opening Date: 05/14/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
The City of Fremont's Community Services Department is recruiting for:
Park Ranger/Naturalist
VIEW OUR RECRUITMENT BROCHURE
The Department
The Community Services Department plays a key role in enhancing the community and ensuring the citizens of Fremont receive excellent customer service through the management of recreation facilities, quality recreation and environmental programs, and park planning.
The Position
The primary focus of the Park Ranger/Naturalist is to enhance park safety and visitor experience through consistent patrol, community engagement, and responsive customer service. Additionally, the incumbent may conduct natural resource protection and environmental education programs.
Examples of Duties

• Work in prescribed uniform and is responsible for general patrol and supervision of City of Fremont's parks, plazas and trails.
• Develop and deliver ranger interpretive programming in an urban park setting, including nature education, guided walks and public outreach.
• Provide high-quality customer service to park visitors, responding to questions, concerns, and safety needs in a professional manner.
• Perform homeless response strategies and mitigation efforts, such as posting notice to abate nuisance tags, collection on unattended property and removal of debris.
• Promote park stewardship and resource protection through public engagement, education, and field presence.

Application Process
The first review of applications is 12:00 p.m., June 1, 2026. The recruitment may close without notice after this date, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. A resume and supplemental questionnaire (part of the online application) must be submitted with the completed City application.
To be considered for this outstanding employment opportunity, please complete an application online by clicking "Apply" just above this box.
Selection ProcessThe process may include oral panel and individual interviews, professional reference checks, fingerprint check for criminal history, medical evaluation, and other related test components. Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.
Oral board interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of June 8th
Reasonable AccommodationHuman Resources will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of any special needs a minimum of 5 days in advance of the selection process by calling (510) 494-4660 or emailing .
Contact UsFor additional information, please contact Human Resources Department at: .
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Park Ranger/Naturalist Class Specifications
Essential Functions
• Works in prescribed uniform and is responsible for general patrol and supervision of Central Park, Lake Elizabeth, recreation facilities and parks throughout Fremont.
• Assists with the development and delivery of environmental education/interpretative programs.
• Initiates and maintains community based relationships with schools and other local organizations in support of interpretive programs and park projects.
• Identifies species and behavior of a variety of native wildlife and plants.
• Assists with developing, planning, and delivering special events with an interpretive focus such as Earth Day.
• Supervises and trains part-time park staff and volunteers as needed.
• Completes minor maintenance work on vehicles, equipment and facilities.
• Provides assistance and acts as a liaison to the public, responding to questions concerning park and recreation facilities, programs, policies, and rules and regulations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and enforces the Fremont Municipal Code or other rules, regulations and ordinances pertaining to park operations within the City, including the issuance of citations.
• Operates bicycles, motorized boats, patrol vehicles, and two-way radios.
• Operates building alarms and makes security checks of City facilities.
• Dispatches calls for service including receiving and responding to phone calls.
• Investigates, collects evidence, statements and prepares reports in response to complaints, crime, injury accidents, and other park incidents.
• Testifies in administrative hearings and court proceedings.
Marginal Functions
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: State and local laws related to park operations and management; water and/or small craft safety; citation procedures; park operation practices and procedures including fire control and security systems; and activity instructions.
Skill in: Communicating courteously and intelligently with the public representing a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; being firm yet tactful in stressful situations; keeping accurate records; operating a patrol boat, motor vehicle and two-way radio; instructing or leading the following activities: sailing, fishing, camping, kayaking, and environmental interpretation; swimming to rescue oneself and others from deep water in waterfront and boating operations; carrying out independent work responsibilities; and following written and verbal instructions.
Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.
Education/Experience
Equivalent to college level course work in park management, recreation administration, public relations, environmental studies, ecology, supervision, or other related field; and one year of experience in park management or park supervision, related law enforcement, or a related field. A college degree in park management, recreation, or related field may substitute for work experience.
Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements
Possession of a Class C California driver's license at the time of appointment and satisfactory driving record. Failure to possess or maintain the valid required license shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.
A valid certificate in Penal Code Section 832 must be secured and maintained prior to completion of the probationary period. Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment and maintain during employment, current certificates in Red Cross Standard First Aid and Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer or equivalents. Higher level certifications may be submitted in substitution.
Willingness to work a variety of schedule formats.
Physical and Environmental Demands
Rare = < 10%, Occasional = 11-33%, Frequent = 34-66%, Constant = >66%
Sitting: Up to Frequent - varies
Walking: Up to Frequent - varies
Standing: Occasional
Bending (neck): Frequent
Bending (waist): Occasional
Squatting: Rare
Climbing: Rare
Kneeling: Rare
Crawling: Rare
Jumping: Rare
Balancing: Occasional
Twisting (neck): Frequent
Twisting (waist): Rare
Grasp - light (dominant hand): Frequent
Grasp - light (non-dominant): Frequent
Grasp - firm (dominant hand): Rare
Grasp - firm (non-dominant): Rare
Fine manipulation (dominant): Occasional
Fine manipulation (non-dominant): Occasional
Reach - at/below shoulder: Frequent
Reach - above shoulder level: Rare
Push/pull:
Up to 10 lbs. Rare
11 to 25 lbs. Rare
26 to 50 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
51 to 75 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
76 to 100 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
Over 100 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
Lifting:
Up to 10 lbs. Occasional
11 to 25 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
26 to 50 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
51 to 75 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
76 to 100 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
Over 100 lbs. Rare - not daily occurrence
Carrying:
Up to 10 lbs. Rare
11 to 25 lbs. Rare
26 to 50 lbs. Never
51 to 75 lbs. Never
76 to 100 lbs. Never
Over 100 lbs. Never
Coordination:
Eye-hand: Required
Eye-hand-foot: Required
Driving: Required
Vision:
Acuity, near: Required
Acuity, far: Required
Depth perception: Required
Accommodation: Required
Color vision: Required
Field of vision: Required
Talking:
Face-to-face contact: Required
Verbal contact w/others: Required
Public: Required
Hearing:
Normal conversation: Required
Telephone communication: Required
Earplugs required: Not required
Work environment:
Works indoors, works outdoors, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, being around moving machinery, exposure to marked changes in temperature/humidity, exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, odors, mists, or other irritating particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to solvents, grease or oil, exposure to slippery or uneven walking surfaces, using computer monitor, exposure to vibration, exposure to flames or burning items, works around others, works alone, works with others.
Class Code: 6750
FLSA: Non-exempt
EEOC Code: 4
Barg. Unit: CFEA
Probation: 12 months
Rev.: 11/15
The City of Fremont offers a comprehensive benefit package including general and holiday leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long/short-term disability insurance.
To view a summary of the benefits the City offers, please visit: City of Fremont
01
Please be specific in answering the Supplemental Questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Select "Yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02
How many years of professional experience do you have performing Park Ranger duties? (i.e. patrol and supervision of park areas; enforcement of rules, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to park operations; provides assistance and act as a liaison to the public, responding to questions concerning park and recreation facilities, programs, policies, and rules and regulations)

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

03
How many years of professional experience do you have performing Naturalist duties? (i.e. development and delivery of environmental education/interpretative programs)

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

04
What is your highest level of education?

• Did not complete high school or equivalent
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree or higher

05
If you answered "Some college" or higher in question 5, what courses have you taken related to the position?
06
Do you possess a currently valid Red Cross Standard First Aid certificate?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you possess a currently valid Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer certificate?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you possess a valid California Class C Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

09
Would you be comfortable interacting and engaging with the unhoused population making use of park facilities?

• Yes
• No

10
Describe any experience working with unhoused populations, including homeless response strategies and mitigation efforts, such as enforcement and trash removal. Please keep your response to 500 words or less.
11
Describe any paid or volunteer experience supervising the work of a crew. Please keep your response to 500 words or less.
12
Describe any experience participating in the development or implementation of plans to preserve environmental resources and or protecting the environment. Please keep your response to 500 words or less.
13
Describe any experience with crisis intervention and de-escalation, guidance and encouragement, and connecting community members needing assistance with service providers. Please keep your response to 500 words or less.
14
Describe any experience with enforcement of rules, regulations, policy or codes. Please keep your response to 500 words or less.
Required Question