POSITION DESCRIPTION: Park Ranger

POSITION GOAL:   Serve as law enforcement officer to assure the public’s safety, protection and enjoyment. Responsible for maintaining law and order, investigating crimes, and protecting life and property at Metroparks Toledo.

CLASSIFICATION: Hourly, Regular, Non-exempt, Full time

COMPENSATION:   $22.660 - $33.571 based on experience. Employer and employee contribute to Public Employees Retirement System. Benefits include paid vacation, life insurance, and health insurance including optical, dental and prescription.

REPORTS TO: Ranger Sergeant or Ranger Lieutenant

DIRECT REPORTS: None

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patrols Metroparks to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations' and to otherwise serve and protect.
• Patrol a designated area in a motor vehicle, bicycle and/or on foot; prevent and discover the commission of crimes, direct and enforce traffic, parking, and laws, administer medical assistance, check for safety hazards, answer calls and complaints, check security of buildings, and investigate accidents. Take corrective action as needed.
• At the scene of a crime or accident, initiate department procedures as relates to:  emergency medical care, investigation, witnesses, site inspections, gathering and maintenance of evidence and arrests.
• Conducts investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift and performs follow up investigations as needed.
• Make arrests, escort suspects from the crime scene, and prepare detailed reports. 
• Give advice, assistance, and general information to the public. 
• Answer all emergency and non-emergency calls for service. 
• Attend assigned training classes and programs.
• Analyzes and evaluates evidence. Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
• Obtain working knowledge of, and acquire the needed skills to enter and retrieve data for both in car mobile data terminals and in-house computer systems. 
• Make daily checks of equipment to ascertain that they are in proper working condition. 
• Serve in special assignment roles such as firearms instructor, detective, public information officer, or defensive tactics instructor, as assigned. 
• Carry out any lawful order or duty as prescribed by the Chief or other supervisor. 
• Perform outreach programs. 
• Ensure effective communication and working relationships between external departments and organizations. 
• Assist other law enforcement agencies through mutual aid.
• Promote cross departmental communications and objectives.
• Maintains a professional appearance to include grooming, uniforms and vehicles
• Maintains all departmental equipment and work areas to highest professional standards.
• Open and close parks; lock and alarm all buildings and facilities.
• Undertakes community oriented police work, and assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, traffic safety, etc.
• Assist with river rescues.
• Respond to animal and wildlife calls; enforce fish and wildlife regulations to ensure protection of wildlife and natural resources.
• Promote compliance with all safety regulations.
• Direct the work of Metroparks and volunteer staff as needed.
• Other Park District work related duties as assigned.

EQUIPMENT USED: Law enforcement patrol vehicles equipped with lights and siren, ATV’s, bicycles, handguns, patrol and wildlife control rifles, TASER, OC spray, handcuffs, AED’s and other first aid equipment, radios, computers with MS software products and specialized law enforcement software, mobile data terminals, cell phones with specialized apps, radar/laser guns, audio visual equipment, GIS systems, body worn cameras, and other equipment as needed.

MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Alternates to the following position requirements may be made as Metroparks finds appropriate and acceptable.

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent. Certified Peace officer in the State of Ohio. 

Experience: Some experience that demonstrates knowledge, skills and abilities of position. Some park operations and natural resources management experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

•  Must be 21 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Customer service skills.
• In-depth interpersonal skills; demonstrated sensitivity and empathy.
• Oral communication skills and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn Metroparks properties, features, and natural resources areas.
• Demonstrated ability to work without supervision.
• Ability to maintain all required law enforcement certifications. 
• First Aid/CPR and AED certification.
• Computer skills including word processing and data entry.
• Problem solving skills; ability to analyze situations and adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances. 
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal criminal statutes of which charges and arrests are executed. 
• Understanding of state wildlife and watercraft laws.
• Knowledge of Metroparks rules, regulations and standard operating procedures. 
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and apply departmental standards for security and privacy.
• Ability to observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places. 
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and prepare clear, comprehensive reports. 
• Ability to maintain high standards in law enforcement activities; such as, use of firearms, self defense, operation of a motor vehicle, interviewing techniques, radio and communication procedures, testifying in court, report writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public, and to effectively and discreetly convey information.
• Ability to instruct and train others.

Behavioral Characteristics:

• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations. 
• Maintains highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.
• Exhibits a high level of integrity, honesty, responsibility, transparency and trustworthiness that establishes credibility and generates respect and support from the public.
• Demonstrates maturity and professionalism. 
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment, and to render objective decisions.
• Demonstrated tact and diplomacy when working with volunteers, the public and coworkers.
• Willingness to provide excellent customer service.
• Assumes responsibility and sees tasks through to completion. 
• Demonstrates support for organizational decisions and supports organizational programs and initiatives.
• Ability to be flexible in a changing work environment; supportive of continuous improvement and change.
• Always treats people with respect and consideration without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, social or economic status, etc.
• Commitment to personal and professional growth.
• Abides by the Metropark Way.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Work schedule: 40 hour workweek includes weekends, holidays and evenings based on schedule.
• Work location: regularly assigned to one of the Metroparks in Lucas County but may work in any Metropark.
• Physical requirements: Requires physical agility to perform law enforcement duties Requires wearing 20 lbs. of equipment. Must pass fitness for duty, psychological assessment and drug screen at time of hire. 

Metroparks Toledo is an Equal Opportunity Employer