State of Maryland

A State Park Ranger I is the intermediate level of work in the operation of a State park.  Employees in this classification interpret and apply Park rules and regulations to ensure voluntary compliance with park standards, coordinate forest and park programs, and inform visitors of forest and park resources.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but may provide guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a State Park Ranger Supervisor or other designated administrator.  Employees may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays and may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs.  The work is performed indoors and in the field under various weather conditions.  The work requires lifting objects weighing twenty-five pounds or more and traveling throughout the State.  Employees may be required to wear protective clothing and equipment, carry specialized tools, walk over uneven and rocky surfaces and bend or stoop in confined spaces.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The State Park Ranger Trainee, State Park Ranger I, and the State Park Ranger II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The State Park Ranger Trainee learns to perform duties under close supervision.  The State Park Ranger I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The State Park Ranger II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Interprets and applies park rules and regulations along with Natural Resources Park Police and other law enforcement agencies: Collects fees and prepares receipts for various permits issued to park visitors;

Directs traffic to maintain a safe and smooth flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

Inspects concession areas for compliance with lease or permit conditions;

Inspects all park facilities and grounds for compliance of approved standards for safety and cleanliness;

Compiles park use statistics, keeps records and prepares reports of area activities;

Researches and analyzes the effects of area activities, such as hiking, biking, and camping, and any proposed activities on the park environment and resources and makes appropriate recommendations;

Monitors and reports on water quality, erosion, visitor impact and other conditions, identifies problems that can be corrected by immediate action, takes appropriate steps as needed, and reports more complex problems;

Prepares correspondence in response to inquiries about the park and its resources;

Plans the day-to-day activities of a recreational area providing facilities, such as camping and water-based recreation;

Contributes text to create and revise interpretive materials, such as guidebooks, handouts, exhibits and web pages;

May perform various tasks related to park operations, in developed and undeveloped areas, including interpretation, coordinating and managing special events such as athletic races, fairs and fishing events; collecting user fees; coordinating volunteer programs and serving as liaison with groups and organizations supporting the park services system; and providing assistance to, and answering questions from, visitors to the park system;

May respond to events in the park including visitor and natural emergencies and maintenance and use of park facilities;

May provide advice and direction to other State park employees, volunteers and seasonal workers employed in the State park system;

May assist in budget preparation by providing budgetary estimates pertaining to program, equipment, and maintenance needs for a specific area of park operations;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of principles and practices of park operations;

Knowledge of the State’s historical, cultural, recreational, biological and geological features;

Knowledge of natural resources management, principles, and practices;

Knowledge of the State budgeting, procurement and personnel management practices and regulations;

Skill in interpreting features of parks and lands in Maryland so that material may be understood by the general public;

Ability to comprehend park rules, regulations, policies, procedures, goals and objectives of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources;

Ability to react quickly and calmly during emergency situations;

Ability to investigate complaints and accidents occurring on park property;

Ability to inspect buildings and structures for safety hazards and initiate required corrective action;

Ability to learn to prepare clear and accurate written reports;

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;

Ability to learn to use special equipment and tools;

Ability to work alone in isolated areas;

Ability to endure vigorous physical activity for prolonged periods;

Ability to plan, develop and organize a variety of formal and interpretative services;

Ability to work well with others.

Experience: Five years of experience, one year of experience in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or preparing, developing or delivering programs that interpret natural, historical, cultural or recreational features and an additional four years of experience in park management, recreation or a natural or cultural resources related field.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of park operations, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences, history or a natural resources or history related field and one year of experience in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or preparing, developing or delivering programs that interpret natural, historical, cultural or recreational features for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of     park management, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences or a natural resources related field for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in management and program clerical and assistance classification or management and program clerical and assistance specialty codes in the general, administrative, clerical, and office services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professional classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the  classification.