Ranger Assistant

The Position
The current vacancies are for Ranger Assistant in the Water Recreation Division of the Water Department at the Loch Lomond Recreation area located at 100 Loch Lomond Way in Felton.
The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Ranger Assistant vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

This list will be utilized to fill both Regular Full-Time and Limited-Term positions. One vacancy is for a Regular full-time position, and o
ne vacancy is for a full-
time, Limited Term position. This Limited-term position will be for thirty-nine (39) weeks, approximately
9 months, per year during Loch Lomond Recreation Area open season, February through October,
working 40 hours per week, and receives full benefits.
Season opening day is M
arch 1st and runs through the second week in October.****
The Loch Lomond Recreation Area offers fishing, boating, picnicking and hiking in a unique mountain lake environment in Santa Cruz County. To read more about the Loch Lomond Recreation Area, go to .

Recruitment #26-040
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 01/22/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted.To apply, submit:
• Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.

• Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 01/26/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 02/06/26.

• Week of 02/09 and/or 02/16/26: I nterviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function
Under general supervision, the Ranger Assistant assists with supporting the recreation area by performing park maintenance and resource management duties, overseeing store operations, providing public assistance, and communicating and enforcing rules and regulations to visitors at the Loch Lomond Recreation Area and the surrounding watershed area.

Distinguishing Characteristics
The Ranger Assistant is an entry-level classification and is distinguished from the next higher level of classification of Ranger in that the latter is responsible for assisting with the protection and enhancement of the recreation areas, watershed, and facilities through patrol, municipal code enforcement, and emergency response.

Typical Duties
( May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Staffs the Recreation Area store and/or Welcome Kiosk; responds to questions and concerns from the general public; provides information as appropriate regarding fees, permits, policies, procedures and services; assists the public in obtaining permits and renting equipment.
• Receives and processes purchases, fees, fines, or other transactions; sets up cash drawers and operates cash registers and/or point of sales equipment (POS); prepares receipts, balances money received and prepares deposits; reconciles purchases and user fees with daily receipts, staffs park store and kiosk.
• Maintains supplies and inventories for facilities and store; contacts vendors, places orders and processes related record-keeping.
• Assists with minor construction projects and maintenance of park facilities, such as buildings, restrooms, trash receptacles, picnic areas, signs, irrigation systems, trails, fuel breaks, fences, gates, and grounds; performs maintenance and repair work on facilities, structures, and equipment, including minor carpentry, plumbing, and painting.
• Assists with resource management within watershed and recreation areas by performing tasks such as aquatic or terrestrial invasive species control, boat inspections, and erosion control projects; maintaining roads, trails, and fire breaks; observes and reports environmental hazards, such as slides, erosion, and disease and insect activity in trees.
• Operates and maintains various types of power tools, light to medium construction equipment, and city vehicles, including trailers and boats.
• Controls access to assigned facilities by opening and closing them to the public; ensures facility is secure upon closing; monitors ongoing use of the facility to ensure user compliance with all facility policies and procedures; maintains and implements security and emergency procedures including calling for civil or law enforcement assistance when necessary.
• Assists with enforcement of provisions of the Municipal Code applicable to the Loch Lomond Recreation Area and Watershed Properties as assigned.
• Assists with medical emergencies as needed within the scope of training.
• May lead and assist in training temporary workers and volunteers in the operation of the toll gate, store, and boat rental dock as well as the boat inspection process and the maintenance of related facilities; coordinates efforts in support of facility operations.
• May monitor water quality conditions, collect water samples, and record data from stream gauges and other monitoring instrumentation.
• Performs routine clean-up of picnic areas and boat launch facilities, such as picking up litter and debris and placing in trash receptacles and cleaning barbecue pits and grills with hand tools.
• Visually inspects park facilities for cleanliness, empties trash containers and refills dispensers, sweeps, washes an disinfects rest room facilities.
• Learns the natural history of the area and begins to apply knowledge when performing park maintenance and operations duties as well as in providing information to visitors; may perform basic research related to resource management and park facilities and interpretive presentations to visitors and school groups.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires: prolonged sitting, standing, and walking on steep and uneven and slippery surfaces, including mountain trails; reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment. The need to lift, carry, and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 60 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works outdoors and in all weather conditions, including rain, heat, and cold. The job duties may expose the employee to fumes, dust, air contaminants, stinging insects, poison oak, and rattlesnakes. May be exposed to biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and construction equipment, and may assist in emergencies. Positions require the incumbent to work around a reservoir. The incumbent may be required to respond to after hours emergency call outs.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

• High school degree or tested equivalent, and
• Six months of maintenance and public contact experience.

Knowledge:

• Safe use of various small hand and power tools

Abilities:

• Interact courteously and effectively with members of the public.
• Read, understand, and review documents for accuracy and relevant information.
• Learn to operate hand and power tools related to resource management such as shovels, axes, saws, Pulaskis, McLeods, weed wrenches, and rakes.
• Use a variety of instruments related to the measurement of water quality and weather such as Secchi disks, turbidimeters, pH meters, thermometers, anemometers, hygrometers, and barometers.
• Implement, explain, and apply procedures, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances.
• Enforce procedures, rules, regulations, and codes, including the Municipal Code.
• Respond appropriately in potentially hazardous or emergency situations.
• Use applicable office terminology, forms, documents, and procedures in the work of the facility.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate standard office equipment including computers and cash registers and/or point of sale.
• Operate handheld, mobile, and base station radios.
• Organize, prioritize, and follow up on work assignments.
• Follow verbal and written directions.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations quickly and accurately including cash handling.
• Work independently and as a member of a team.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Act in a courteous and diplomatic manner with members of the public.
• Read, interpret and record data accurately; maintain manual and computerized record keeping systems.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California class C driver's license.
• Completion of a POST Certified PC 832 Principles of Arrest and Citation (40 hour) course within twelve months of appointment.
• Possession and continued maintenance of a Standard First Aid and CPR with AED (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or approved equivalent) certification within twelve months of appointment.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to work flexible hours including holidays, evenings, weekends, and split shifts and to report back to work in the event of an emergency.
• Willingness to wear a uniform.

Desirable Qualifications

• Four months or more experience in a park environment.
• Coursework in natural resources management, forestry, environmental science, or a related field.
• Plumbing experience.
• Ability to speak Spanish.

Career Ladder
Career Ladder

• Chief Ranger
• Senior Ranger
• Ranger I/II
• Ranger Assistant