Park Ranger

Our City of Seattle Partners are looking to hire a handful of Park Rangers to support Seattle Parks & Recreation!

• Location: Onsite, various locations around Seattle, WA
• Pay: $26.52 - $30.72 Hourly (DOE)

Seattle Parks and Recreation is a premier employer in a vibrant, fast-growing, and exciting city. The Park Ranger program is part of a high-profile initiative, involving multiple City and community partners, to create welcoming, safe, and lively public spaces in the downtown core. Keeping parks positive and welcoming in an urban environment requires strong community partnerships, positive activation, and a focused effort to displace illegal and negative activities with legal and positive ones.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens, and swimming pools. Our mission is to provide welcoming and safe opportunities to play, learn, contemplate, and build community and promote responsible stewardship of the land. We promote healthy people, a healthy environment, and strong communities. Delivering excellent customer service to each visitor and participant is a core value.

SPR commits to City of Seattle Workplace Values and Expectations, and Racial Equity and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable by striving to eliminate barriers to access and provide employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Education

• Provide excellent customer service, anticipate and solve problems, and educate visitors on park safety rules, codes of conduct, and permissible/impermissible park uses.
• Educate visitors about our parks, monuments, and memorials by interpreting the role of important people and events or cultural experiences that shaped our park system.
• Serve as a liaison between the City and park users by answering questions and handing out informational literature about the park system and City resources.
• Provide wayfinding and general park information to the public.
• Support visitors in having a safe and enjoyable park experience.

• Support SPR’s stewardship of Seattle’s parks, facilities, natural areas, and other assets.
• Provide knowledge and information about park features and the surrounding environments to park patrons and community groups as needed.
• Monitor park areas for damage to grounds, equipment, and/or facilities.
• Report malfunctioning equipment and buildings or grounds in need of maintenance or repair.
• Notify SPR Dispatchers of work order needs in parks and/or facilities.
• Collaborate and communicate daily with Park Dispatchers.
• Maintain routine records and prepare written reports.
• Administer first aid to visitors who require medical attention as needed and depending upon the degree of training.
• Call 911 for medical assistance as needed.
• Complete corresponding first aid reports.
• Perform other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

• Oversee City parks and designated areas on foot, by bicycle, and/or vehicle to monitor park activity and to inform the public and enforce rules, regulations, laws, ordinances, and municipal codes pertaining to the use of parks and facilities.
• Mitigate and deter inappropriate activity in City parks by conducting regular patrols and establishing a routine and meaningful presence.
• Engage with rule violators by providing education about SPR rules and municipal codes to foster compliance.
• Assist with seasonal beach fire and coastal programs.
• Secure doors, gates, and parks at closing time.
• Respond and assist with park emergency situations occurring on park properties or in response to citywide activations.
• Complete incident reports and document appropriate intakes and referrals to other agencies.
• Work with the Downtown Seattle Association, Seattle Police, Seattle Fire, SPR maintenance, and Citywide event scheduling to ensure special events are managed within permit conditions.
• Monitor activities to ensure permits are obtained and activities align with permitted uses.
• Enforce Park Code (SMC 18.12) through voluntary compliance and issue Civil Infractions, Trespass Warnings, and Park Exclusions when necessary.
• Engage police or EMS assistance as needed for public safety.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

A minimum of one year of experience in parks and recreation, security, or a related field (or a combination of education and/or training experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

You will be successful in this role if you have the following:

• Additional parks and recreation, security, and/or public safety experience.
• Community relations, programming, or engagement experience.
• Experience with report writing and strong communication skills.
• Comfort with an education-first approach with an emphasis on social equity.
• Experience through a relevant training program (e.g., Skagit Valley College Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy).
• Ability to pass a police-level background check.
• Delivery of services in a manner that reflects positivity, emotional intelligence, and excellent communication skills and which reflect and advance SPR’s mission and values.

• Current Washington State driver's license.
• Successful candidates will need to complete a criminal background check.