Park Ranger

Job Description:

Park Ranger

Description

Description

A 4% Cost of Living Increase is scheduled for 01/01/2025.

The City of Laguna Beach Police Department is seeking enthusiastic and an energetic candidate to join our team as a Park Ranger. This dynamic position involves engaging with City residents, business owners, and visitors on City streets, parks, beaches, and trails while wearing the approved City uniform. As a key member of the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (N.E.T.), the Park Ranger plays a crucial role in advising the public on City, County, and State ordinances related to littering, smoking in public, possessing alcoholic beverages, and other disturbance-related violations. This position is recognized as a peace officer and is pivotal in implementing neighborhood enhancement goals, and addressing quality of life issues through community engagement, problem-solving, and enforcement actions. The Park Ranger reports directly to a Police Lieutenant, Police Sergeant, or Watch Commander and will take on special duty assignments as required.

When you’ll work: Employees in this position must be available to work weekdays and weekends as necessary. Full Time Park Rangers generally work a minimum of 80 hours per two-week pay period.

What you’ll be great at:

• Strong decision-making and conflict-resolution skills
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory policies with high integrity and ethics
• Physical fitness for walking on rough terrain in various climates
• Safety awareness for self and others
• Stress management abilities
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills
• Customer-focused approach

Examples of Duties

The normal duties for this position can be found in the job description for Park Ranger . They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:

Must be at least 20 years of age.

Education: High school graduation or possession of a General Education Diploma is required. Related college-level coursework or possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or a related field is highly desirable.

Experience: Previous law enforcement experience or other relevant work experience, including extensive public contact, is highly desirable.

License/Certificate Requirements: Due to the performance of field duties, which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid California Driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required. Graduation from a California Basic Course Police Academy Modular Level I, II or Ill is highly desirable. Possession of PC 832 certification is also highly desirable. Candidates must successfully obtain PC 832 certification, through training provided by the Department, within six months of appointment.

Supplemental Information

Application/Selection Process: All interested applicants must submit a completed online city application. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, with the next review date to be determined, if needed. Applications will be screened carefully and selected applicants will be invited to the Structured Panel Interview to assess for the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Those who pass the Structured Panel Interview will be placed on an eligibility list to be considered for a Department interview.

Pre-employment Process: Prospective candidates must successfully pass a police background check (including a polygraph examination), fingerprint check with the Department of Justice (with no prior felony convictions), a pre-placement physical, and a psychological exam.

Why work for Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach is a beautiful coastal city located in Orange County, California, with a vibrant art scene and cultural events. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including City paid health insurance for employees, retirement plans, and paid time off. The City has a strong commitment to its employees, providing opportunities for professional growth and development through training and education programs.

The Department: The Police Department is organized into two divisions, Support Services and Field/Investigative Services, and provides general law enforcement services, including animal control.

Benefits for Laguna Beach Police Employees' Association (PEA)

Retirement: The City offers membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS. 2.7% at 57 for PEPRA CalPERS Safety members; 3% at 50 for tier I Classic CalPERS Safety members; 3% at 55 for tier II Classic CalPERS Safety members.

Health Coverage: The City currently offers medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees and their dependents. In addition, the City provides life insurance and a long-term disability plan for employees.

Vacation: Vacation leave accrues at a rate of 96 hours per year. This increases to 136 hours per year after five years of service, and to 176 hours per year after nine years of service. A cash-out option exists for accrued vacation time.

Holiday: The City provides 90 hours for 11 paid holidays per year.

Sick Leave: Sick leave accrues at a rate of 80 hours per year. Unused sick leave may be accumulated without limit.

Special Assignment Pay
Canine Handler - 14 hours per month at two thirds of their regular rate of pay, then paid at time and a half for the off-duty caring, grooming, feeding, training, and otherwise maintaining of their department-issued canine or Support Services dog/equipment

Community Outreach Officer and Field Training Officer - 10% of base pay

School Resource Officer, Motorcycle, and Detective - 5% of base pay

Educational Incentive Pay
Educational Degree: Sworn employees in the position of Police Officer, Police Corporal and Police Sergeant are eligible for a bonus of 2.5% of base salary for an AA Degree, or 5% of base salary for a BA or BS Degree.

POST Certifications:
Sworn police department employees are eligible for the following:
1. 4% of base salary for an Intermediate POST Certificate.

2. 9% of base salary for an Advanced POST Certificate. The two POST certificates are not cumulative. An employee with Advanced POST will receive 9% and not any additional compensation for first having an Intermediate POST Certificate.

Public Safety Dispatchers, Senior Public Safety Dispatchers, and the Support Services Supervisor, are eligible for the following:
1. 5% of base salary for a Dispatcher Advanced POST Certificate.

When an employee receives either an Intermediate or Advanced POST Certificate they shall provide the City with a copy of the Certificate and will then be paid by the City retroactively to the effective date of the Certificate.

Other Benefits
The City offers a Flexible Spending Account, Educational Reimbursement Program, Employee Assistance Program, Exceptional Performance Pay Program, and Bilingual Pay Program.

Salary:

$61,800.00 - $86,988.00 Annually