Park Ranger (Park Police)

Austin, TX
Travis County

Works under moderate supervision to provides day-to-day patrol within the Travis County parks and preserves system. Responsible for visitor and resource protection, with emphasis on law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management, and search and rescue. Ensures a safe park experience for visitors through intensive public interaction. Detects, documents and corrects safety hazards. Protects natural and cultural resources in the park system through the enforcement of rules and regulations and state and federal environmental laws. Functions as a Peace Officer Certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and as an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B).

Salary
$50,680.35 – $54,585.00 Annually

Responsibilities:

• Conducts daily patrols of Travis County parks and preserves.
• Provide visitor and resource protection. Provides law enforcement and emergency medical response.
• Conducts safety inspections and interfaces with park visitors.
• Performs administrative duties such as preparing incident reports using laptop computers.
• Performs routine patrols of waters off park boundaries and along park shorelines; patrols park areas by foot, bicycle, vehicle, horse, motor vehicle and patrol boat to contact park visitors and neighbors to ensure compliance with park rules
• Enforces Federal and State laws and educates the public on park rules.
• Disseminates park, preserve, and area information to the public; ensures that information is accurate, professional and timely; interfaces with visitors, neighbors, user and volunteer organizations and other agencies to promote Travis County parks and preserves in a positive and professional manner; responds to visitor complaints and concerns; directs corrective action as required.
• Makes felony and misdemeanor arrests, issues citations, conducts investigations, and prepares appropriate reports. Transports prisoners, testifies in court and completes follow-up investigations as needed.
• Ensures compliance with regulations and policies within Travis County parks and preserves.
• Provides visitor and resource protection in Travis County parks and preserves.
• Responds to incidents inside parks as dispatched, reported, or as detected by the officer.
• Responds to, or is dispatched to, medical incidents and situations within parks and preserves and provides patient care according to established protocols. Provides emergency medical services as part of a First Responder Organization. Treats patients in the field and prepares appropriate reports. Packages patient(s) awaiting transport and determines category of patient(s).

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or G.E.D., AND two (2) years experience in public safety situations requiring immediate decisions, collaboration with other responders, and appropriate corrective action.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Certification as a Texas Peace Officer issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)

Must obtain Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) system clearance as a Texas Department of State Health Services certified Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT- B) within one (1) year of completion of Travis County Sheriff's Office TCSO Field Training Office (FTO) training, and then must maintain system certification as an EMT-B based on standards established by the Austin/Travis County Medical Director; AND,
Pre-employment - must past all written, physical, and psychological tests as required.

Preferred:
Bachelor's degree with emphasis in Parks and Recreation, Forestry, Conservation Biology, Geography, or other related Life Science disciplines, plus at least two (2) years experience in park resource management and administration.