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Park Ranger

City of Springfield
Full-time
On-site
Springfield, Missouri, United States
$42,910.40 - $71,905.60 USD yearly

Description


The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is looking for Park Rangers! This is a full-time, fully-commissioned law enforcement position protecting the patrons, staff, and property of over 100 park facilities and 125+ miles of recreational trails.  

The Park Ranger division is committed to providing quality service through personal integrity, fairness, communication, and sense of community pride. Rangers will be in communication with the Greene County Sheriff's Office, Springfield Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and crime lab, the Juvenile Justice Department and other specialty law enforcement agencies and groups.

This is a great opportunity to work with a highly experienced team of professionals dedicated to providing the safest parks in Missouri!

Positions will work a semi-set shift determined by the department, but candidate will need to be flexible based on staffing needs and special events like the Springfield Lasers Tennis Team season, Turkey Trot, & Harvest Fest...just to name a few.

This position will be open until filled.  Applications received by March 7, 2025 are guaranteed review.

Benefits include:
  • Generous paid leave
  • Paid pension retirement
  • Paid health insurance
  • and MUCH MORE!
  • Click here.
This position has the option to under-fill as a Park Ranger Recruit.  


About the Springfield-Greene County Park Board
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board strives to provide the very best in parks and recreation facilities, programs, events, and services to our community.  In doing so, we will make a positive impact on the overall quality of life, health, environmental, social, and economic aspects for our resident families and visitors alike. The Park Board system includes 105 parks sites, ranging from neighborhood playgrounds to multi-use recreational facilities to trails and natural resource areas. The Park Board is proud to be fully accredited, ranking among the top 2 percent of parks and recreation agencies in the country, as well as a recipient of the National Recreation and Park Association's Gold Medal Award and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

You may learn more about our department at http://www.parkboard.org.
 

Qualifications and Requirements

Experience, Education, and Training for Park Ranger:

  • Must be a high school graduate or have passed the high school equivalency exam, 21 years of age, a United States Citizen;  
AND
  • Have two years of law enforcement experience.
ADDITIONALLY
  • Candidates who possess at least 12 months of experience as a Park Ranger Recruit with the Parks Department, including completion of the Springfield Police Department’s full Police Academy, qualify for Park Ranger.    


Licensing/Certification for Park Ranger:
  • Must possess POST Class A license (if candidate does not possess a Missouri POST Class A, but possesses law enforcement certification through another state, candidate may participate in the hiring process while seeking reciprocity through Missouri POST). 
  • Must be current in P.O.S.T. continuing education requirements up to prior calendar year. 
  • Must pass Missouri state exam and maintain POST requirements, and maintain good-standing and eligibility as a Commissioned Officer.
  • Possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Possess or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification within probationary period. 

Park Ranger division employees must meet and pass requirements and maintain eligibility as a Commissioned Officer.
 
Experience, Education, and Training for Park Ranger Recruit:
  • Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D;  
AND
  • 30 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university;
OR
  • Class A P.O.S.T. certified peace officer or currently enrolled in a Class A P.O.S.T. program with successful passing of P.O.S.T. exam within six months of application deadline;
OR
  • Two (2) years of experience as a Police Service Representative;
OR
  • Two (2) years of experience as a Traffic Services Officer;
OR
  • Two (2) years of experience as a 911 dispatcher and/or telecommunicator;
OR
  • Two (2) years of active duty military service with an honorable discharge;
OR
  • Four (4) years of honorable military service in national guard or armed forces reserves;
OR
  • Three (3) years of full-time successful ownership and management of a business within the last five (5) years;
OR
  • Three (3) years of full-time employment as a correctional or detention officer within the last five (5) years;
OR
  • Three (3) years of full-time employment as a licensed professional security or private security contractor within the last five (5) years;
OR
  • Three (3) years of full-time employment working in the professional trade industry within the last five (5) years;
OR
  • Three (3) years of full-time employment in the last five (5) years providing paraprofessional work experience to the public or community in one of the following fields: social services, health care services, and/or education.
PREFERRED
  • Law enforcement experience and/or education preferred, but not required;
  • Understand and enforce the law in order to provide quality service and assist in our mission to reduce crime within the City of Springfield;
  • Use modern policing methods to solve problems in our community while treating people fairly and with a helpful attitude;
  • Hold yourself and others around you accountable using sound moral principles that earn the public trust, respect, and confidence of the community;
  • Effectively communicate with citizens through active listening, compassion, and empathy.

Licensing/Certification for Park Ranger Recruit
  • Must be certified through the Missouri Department of Public Safety as a peace officer within twelve (12) months of hire date; 
  • Must pass state exam and meet and maintain P.O.S.T. requirements. 
  • Possess a valid Driver’s License.   
  • Possess or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification within probationary period.

Miscellaneous Requirements
  1. Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive and in-depth background investigation, including a credit check.  
  2. Must successfully pass post offer exams including: polygraph, medical exam and psychological evaluation.
  3. Possess no felony convictions; possess no more than one (1) DWI conviction and no DWI conviction in past three (3) years; may not have two (2) moving violations from separate incidents within the past twelve months, or have been at fault in more than one (1) traffic crash/accident during the past twelve (12) months.
The Springfield Police Department’s Police Chief reviews and recommends required training prior to hire. Park Ranger candidates who have not already attended the full Springfield Police Academy must attend and pass the Springfield Police Department’s Lateral Academy, and pass all applicable and necessary training, including continuing education requirements. Subject to emergency call in. Position is subject to working a variety of shifts including weekends and holidays due to 24-hour/7 days a week departmental operation.

Functions

For more information on essential functions and other requirements, please see the Park Ranger job description.

For more information on essential functions and other requirements, please see the Park Ranger Recruit job description.

Park Ranger Recruit pay range:

$19.09-29.00 Hourly

Other Requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability and Vet
Individuals with disabilities should request reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act prior to testing or appointment.  Proof of United States Citizenship/Authorization to Work in The United States as established by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 is a condition of employment.  Pre-employment drug testing is required.

All interested candidates MUST complete the City of Springfield on-line application in its entirety.  The candidate profile must include all employment history with accurate and complete information prior to submission.  Resumes alone will not be accepted as the application, but they may be submitted as supplemental documentation.

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