Full-Time Park Ranger Park Ranger (Union): Full-Time, Exempt
Rate: $32.2519 | Starting salary based on prior experience and education.
Pay Grade: OPBA | Collective Bargaining Unit
Location: Concord Woods Nature Park, Concord Twp., OH 44077
Position Summary:
Lake Metroparks is seeking a Park Ranger (Union) to serve as a certified law enforcement officer responsible for protecting visitors, employees, volunteers, park resources, and property throughout the park district. Under the general direction of the Chief Ranger, this position patrols Lake Metroparks properties, promotes public safety, enforces applicable laws and park regulations, responds to emergencies, conducts investigations, prepares reports, and provides professional assistance and education to park visitors. This position requires a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency call-outs, and assignments at any Lake Metroparks location.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Education and/or Experience:
- A college degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, wildlife management, natural resource enforcement, or a related field, or a comparable combination of relevant education, training, and experience, is required.
- Current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) certification is required.
- Relevant experience in law enforcement, park operations, natural resource protection, public safety, or a related setting is preferred.
- First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is preferred at hire and must be maintained.
- A valid driver's license and continued insurability under the Park District's vehicle liability policy are required.
- Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check is required. Additional job-related assessments, such as a psychological evaluation, physical ability assessment, medical examination, polygraph examination, or voice stress analysis, may be required consistent with applicable law and Park District policy.
- The employee must be available for an irregular schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency call-outs, and work during adverse weather conditions.
- The employee must be able to operate assigned Park District vehicles and equipment safely and remain insurable under the Park District's vehicle liability policy.
Required Training: Employees must complete and maintain all Park District and position-specific training, including safety, ethics, fraud prevention, harassment prevention, emergency communications, hazardous materials awareness, personal protective equipment (PPE), workplace violence prevention, and fire safety training, as applicable. The employee must successfully complete the Ranger Field Training Program, maintain required firearms qualification, and complete continuing education required by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) and Lake Metroparks.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Patrols assigned Lake Metroparks properties by vehicle, on foot, by bicycle, by all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or by watercraft to promote public safety and enforce applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
- Responds to calls for service from participants, visitors, volunteers, and staff and provides first aid or emergency assistance within the scope of training.
- Investigates suspected criminal activity and park rule violations; interviews involved persons; collects, safeguards, and documents evidence; makes arrests when authorized; and provides testimony in legal proceedings.
- Prepares clear, accurate, timely activity logs, incident reports, citations, and related records using approved computer and mobile systems.
- Provides accurate information, education, directions, and respectful service to the public and represents the Park District at programs, events, and community activities.
- Maintains required proficiency in firearms, defensive tactics, emergency response procedures, and the safe use of assigned equipment.
- Provides mutual aid and coordinates with law enforcement, fire, emergency medical service, and other partner agencies as assigned.
- Follows all applicable safety procedures, reports hazards or incidents promptly, and supports a safe environment for participants, visitors, volunteers, and staff.
- Performs other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position, as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
☒ This position has no supervisory duties.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the position. Lake Metroparks will consider reasonable accommodations and workplace supports for qualified employees with barriers to employment so they can perform the essential functions, consistent with applicable law.
COMPUTER EXPERTISE REQUIRED / EQUIPMENT OPERATED:
- Uses computers, email, web-based applications, records-management systems, mobile data systems, and Microsoft Office applications to complete reports and communicate effectively.
- Safeguards confidential and law-enforcement-sensitive information and follows applicable data security and records-retention requirements.
- Safely operates assigned patrol vehicles, radios, emergency equipment, defensive equipment, personal protective equipment, bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, and watercraft, as authorized and trained.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This position requires the employee to demonstrate the following observable knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of applicable provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, criminal and traffic law, constitutional policing, search and seizure, arrest procedures, evidence handling, patrol practices, and courtroom procedures.
- Knowledge of Lake Metroparks rules and regulations, public safety practices, natural and cultural resource protection, outdoor recreation, and community-oriented policing.
- Knowledge of emergency response, first aid, incident command, hazardous materials awareness, and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Skills:
- Skill in observation, interviewing, investigation, de-escalation, conflict resolution, evidence documentation, and accurate report writing.
- Skill in clear verbal and written communication, public education, respectful service, and interaction with people from varied backgrounds and with varied access needs.
- Skill in safe vehicle operation, radio communication, emergency response, defensive tactics, and the use of assigned law enforcement equipment.
Abilities:
- Ability to exercise sound, impartial judgment; follow lawful directives; manage competing priorities; and make timely decisions in routine and emergency situations.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality, and accurate records.
- Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with participants, visitors, volunteers, coworkers, community partners, and individuals who may be distressed or require communication or access supports.
- Ability to identify problems, gather and assess relevant information, apply policy and law, and document conclusions.
- Ability to perform the essential physical and operational functions of law enforcement work, with reasonable accommodation when applicable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Lake Metroparks will consider reasonable accommodations and workplace supports for qualified employees with barriers to employment, consistent with applicable law.
The employee regularly moves throughout indoor and outdoor work areas and may stand, walk, sit, drive, climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, run, or move across uneven or slippery terrain. The employee frequently uses hands and arms to operate vehicles, radios, computers, law enforcement tools, and emergency equipment. The work may require short periods of strenuous activity, including responding quickly on foot, assisting with emergency operations, applying trained defensive tactics, restraining individuals when legally authorized, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling equipment or persons. The employee must be able to communicate and receive information in person, by radio, and by telephone and to observe surroundings, traffic, people, and evidence at varying distances and lighting conditions. Specific lifting or fitness requirements will be based on essential job tasks, approved equipment, and applicable certification standards rather than age-based assumptions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed at Ranger Department facilities, throughout assigned Lake Metroparks properties, in patrol vehicles, and at other locations as operational needs require. The employee works indoors and outdoors in changing weather, temperatures, lighting, noise levels, and terrain. Duties may be performed alone or with limited immediate backup and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency call-outs, and extended periods of driving, standing, or walking. The employee wears an approved uniform and uses assigned personal protective equipment (PPE). Reasonable accommodations and workplace supports may be considered for qualified employees with barriers to employment, provided the essential safety and operational requirements of the position can be met.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
Potential hazards include exposure to traffic, moving vehicles and equipment, uneven or unstable terrain, water, severe weather, excessive noise, firearm discharge during training or authorized operations, hazardous materials, blood or other potentially infectious materials, and physical contact with uncooperative or combative individuals. Work may also involve traumatic incidents, animal or insect encounters, smoke, irritants, and risks associated with patrol vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), watercraft, firearms, conducted electrical weapons, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, and other approved defensive equipment. The employee is expected to follow training, safe-work practices, and personal protective equipment requirements to reduce these risks.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS
The employee must demonstrate commitment and sensitivity to the needs of Lake Metroparks and its constituents, support the mission of the Park District, maintain professional conduct, comply with applicable policies and procedures, and provide respectful service to participants, visitors, volunteers, coworkers, and community partners.
BENEFITS
Lake Metroparks offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- OPERS membership (Ohio Public Employees Retirement System)
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Paid leave policies: vacation, personal, sick, and holiday leave
- Optional benefits: additional life insurance, short-term disability, and deferred compensation
- Additional perks: Northeastern Ohio Inter-Museum Council membership, agency discounts, and tuition reimbursement
Benefits: Lake Metroparks offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) membership
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Paid leave, including vacation, personal, sick, and holiday leave
- Optional benefits, including additional life insurance, short-term disability coverage, and deferred compensation
- Mental health support and employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Additional benefits, including Northeastern Ohio Inter-Museum Council membership, agency discounts, and tuition reimbursement
Compensation details: 32.25-32.25 Hourly Wage
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