Wilderness Ranger Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Under the direction of the Park Manager, this position is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of two recreation based or natural resource/historic/memorial parks.
These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Operates park with a business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit that focuses on cost effectiveness, and innovation;
- Assists in tracking Park budgets (Granite Mountain-YHFP) and making recommendations for annual changes to Park Manager;
- Responsible for following procurement rules in completing purchases through requisitions and P-card for equipment, materials, supplies and repairs needed both Parks GRMO & YHFM.
- This position will be accountable for hiring, training, and coaching volunteers, also for completing paperwork and reports associated with the volunteer program and assign Staff Volunteer Coordinator position and train in assisting with these duties;
- Develops partnerships through fostering and maintaining positive relationships with external organizations such as, but not limited to, friends groups, chambers of commerce, media, special interest groups, and local, state and federal government entities;
- Provides excellent customer service to our customers;
- Performs administrative duties such as preparing reports, project management, and updating the Annual Operating Plan For two Parks;
- Supervision and training of Park Ranger Senior, Park Ranger, Park Ranger Assistants, Volunteers and staff assigned as Subject Matter Expert (SME);
- Directs and/or performs park maintenance, improvement projects and park inventories;- Participates and represents the Agency in a variety of capacities (e.g., public meetings).
- Enforces all park policies and procedures while conserving the natural resources and ensuring public safety for our customers and employees.
- Hosts park visitors, provides general information, leads or assists in on-going training, conducts other interpretive programs, patrols grounds, enforces park rules, performs office and custodial duties, takes part in emergency situations, works with other units as assigned, works with and around Department of Corrections work crew.
- Assists with the planning of special events at both park. Represents the park at off site events.
*This position must be able to work weekends and holidays and could possibly relocate to another state park seasonally and/or permanent.
** May require Wilderness first aid certification within 1 year of appointment

Customer Service/Gift Shop Management:
- Maintains a professional attitude in regards to all aspects of customer service. This includes but is not limited to: park correspondence, answering requests for information, interpretation, ordering supplies, inventory management, restocking, accounting, personnel training for both parks.
Community Relations:
- When requested by Park Manager attend meetings and maintain personal contacts with representatives of special interest groups, media and other governmental agencies to address issues of common interest and keep them informed of park/agency activities and plans.
- Attend Friends meetings when the Park Manager is unable to attend or when requested by the Park Manager.
Supervision:
- Assist in establishing and scheduling project priorities.
- Assist in creating work assignments for Park Ranger Assistant, Park Ranger, and volunteers for park.
- Evaluate completed projects to ensure goals/objectives are met.
- Address personnel problems (PR Assistant and PR) minimizing effects on park operations.
- Review and administer performance evaluations.
Park Operations:
- Hosts park visitors, conducts interpretive programs, conducts or assists with training for staff and volunteers, answers visitor questions, provides customer service.
- Participates in park maintenance and improvement projects including grounds, buildings, equipment, trails, fences, roads, recreation facilities, etc.
- Establish maintenance standards, repairs and projects necessary to meet needs of park resources, visitors etc..
- This position requires intense physical labor and the preferred candidate must be able to hike the trail (7 miles with a 1450' elevation gain 2 times a week minimum).
- This position requires working outdoors in all weather conditions (extreme heat and extreme cold).
Administration:
- Prepare and/or approve various written and computerized reports including employee time reports, park activity reports, attendance/revenue reports, purchasing ledgers, deposit recaps, construction activity reports, volunteer documents, and make bank deposits when necessary.
- Participate and represent agency in a variety of capacities; public meetings. training seminars. internal Arizona State Park committees, etc...
Special Programs:
- Assists with volunteer coordination, gift shop program, interpretive programming and maintenance as required or requested by the Park Manager.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of :
Good working knowledge of park operational needs, quality standards, visitor safety and employee safety standards.
- Current practices and methods in the protection of resources in a park.
- Interpretation techniques/philosophy.
- Grounds keeping.
- customer service.
- Agency vision, mission, goals and objectives.
- Applicable federal, state and agency laws, statues, policies and procedures.
- CPR & First Aid.
- Building repair and construction concepts.
Skill in:
-Training in day-to-day functions of a high-profile recreational / memorial park.
- Personnel management and supervisory techniques.
- Assigning work assignments and priorities.
- Facility and landscape maintenance.
- Addressing visitor complaints, emergency situations and other stress work issues, while maintaining a courtesy and professional demeanor.
- Problem solving and multi-tasking.
- Verbal and written communication.
- Speaking to small and large groups of people.
- In the use of electronic office equipment - (PC's, cash registers, point of dale systems, etc.)
- In partnerships with external groups/agencies.
Ability to:
- Meets with and keeps Park Manager informed of all issues regarding park staff and operational needs to effectively and efficiently run the park.
- Work independently and on a team.
- Public speaking.
- Work Holidays and weekends.
- Communicate effectively with staff and public.
- Maintain Park facilities and equipment.
- Capacity to hike and maintain the Granite Mountain trail.
- Identify and correct safety hazards.
- Obtain and maintain CPR First Aid and techniques certification.
- Gain and maintain current Arizona State Class D Drivers License.
- Performs all necessary activities associated with employee performance, development of work expectations and opportunities to exceed standards.

An ideal candidate would have Bachelor's Degree in the area of Park Management, Natural Resource Management, Recreation, or closely related field. 3+ years' Experience in park management, managing staff, budget, park operations and volunteers will be considered.

May require WILDERNESS FIRST AID certification within 1 year of appointment
Must obtain or have a valid Arizona driver's license.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Parental Leave - Up to 12 weeks per year pid leave for newborns or newly placed foster/adopted child.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Eligible for Arizona State Retirement System pension. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment for newly hired State of Arizona employees.

Recruitmenthr@azstateparks.gov
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (480) 604 -7331.  Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.  

Having trouble applying for this position?
Email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov or call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.