THE POSITION
Are you passionate about the outdoors and providing excellent customer service? The County of Santa Barbara Community Services-Parks Department is hiring seasonal (extra-help) Park Ranger Trainees to perform varied grounds/parks duties. Current vacancies are in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lake Cachuma and Jalama Beach (Lompoc).   This recruitment will also be used to fill future vacancies.  Please mark on the application all the locations where you are willing to accept work.      Under immediate supervision, learns to perform groundskeeping and facilities maintenance at parks; interacts with the public providing exceptional customer service; and performs related duties as required.  Scheduled working hours are dependent upon business needs, and will include weekends, holidays, swing, and possibly night shifts. 

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a team that helps maintain and enhance our local parks for the community to enjoy.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:  Park Ranger Trainee is part of a flexibly staffed series, which includes Park Ranger Trainee/I/II. Park Ranger Trainee is the entry-level class in this series. Park Ranger Trainee incumbents receive instruction in groundskeeping, facilities maintenance, and customer service and may progress to Park Ranger I after working 1,040 hours, completing the necessary training, and demonstrating satisfactory performance.   

NOTE:  These are Civil Service Rule (CSR) 905 Extra Help Appointments. An extra-help appointment is defined as an appointment made to a non-regular, non-permanent position established on a temporary basis to meet peak loads, unusual work situations, seasonal and recurrent work, intermittent assignments, or emergencies.  

The Ideal Candidate will possess:   

• Ability to perform grounds keeping
• Ability to perform facilities maintenance at parks 
• Ability to interact with the public
• Exceptional customer service
• Basic cash handling skills
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word and Outlook

• Learns to check visitors into parks, collects fees, issues permits and assigns use areas using basic computer software like Microsoft Office and reservation systems; and provides information to visitors regarding park services, features, and fees.
• Learns and performs groundskeeping and semi-skilled maintenance duties; mows, weeds, waters, edges; renovates and fertilizes lawns; prunes; and collects and removes brush, leaves and other debris. 
• Picks up litter; collects trash; cleans walkways, cabins, yurts, restrooms, chemical toilets and other park facilities. 
• Operates and performs routine servicing on a variety of hand tools, power tools and light equipment including weed whips, backpack blowers, riding and push mowers; learns semi-skilled maintenance work such as repairing faucets, replacing sprinkler heads, painting, fixing picnic benches, unclogging drains.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Any combination of training, education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities. 

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:  Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Ability to:  Learn the use and routine servicing of hand tools, power tools and light equipment used in groundskeeping; learn the basic materials and methods used in groundskeeping and cleaning; understand and follow simple oral and written instructions; deal tactfully and effectively with the public; work effectively with and provide service to a variety people from different backgrounds; learn and apply diversity, equity, and inclusion principles; learn, understand and convey park rules and regulations; add, subtract and multiply dollar amounts and whole numbers; learn methods used in receiving, accurately recording and safeguarding money; and learn and use basic computer software.

Application & Selection Process

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.        Candidates that meet the employment standard will have their applications sent to the hiring department for review.

BACKGROUND QUESTIONNAIRE & LIVE SCAN for the County of Santa Barbara Community Services Department - Parks Division:
All candidates that received conditional offers of employment must complete the County of Santa Barbara Community Services Department - Parks Division Background Questionnaire, obtain successful completion of a live scan, possess satisfactory reference checks, and complete the county required medical review.

VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of:  (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.  No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.  To receive veteran's preference points, you must:  (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the application deadline, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process.  The preference points will be added to your final test score.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:
The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: 

• Retirement reciprocity 
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate 

NOTE: The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and at the discretion of the CEO, can provide flexible relocation assistance, student loan offsets and cash incentives.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and socioeconomically disadvantaged community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing, the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 28, 2025, at 4:59 p.m. PST, postmarks not accepted.  You can view job postings and apply online 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com. 

Chanel Y. Turner, Talent Acquisition Analyst II; cturner@countyofsb.org