State Park Peace Officer (Ranger)

Public Service that Makes a Difference

The State Park Peace Officer (Ranger) series describes professional positions involved in the law enforcement and visitor services functions of the State park system. These classifications have full peace officer powers pursuant to Penal Code Section 830.2, and perform the full range of peace officer duties and responsibilities in accomplishing their assignments.

Peace officer duties include, but are not limited to: patrol (vehicle, boat, foot, etc.), issuing citations, writing reports, making physical arrests, conducting investigations, taking command in emergencies, performing search and rescue activities, and providing emergency medical aid. Performing these duties requires the use of protective equipment (e.g. firearms, electronic control weapons, batons, chemical agents, and handcuffs), and regular training and testing in physical defensive tactics and firearms use. Other important aspects of  Ranger duties include visitor services, natural and cultural resource protection, administration, and interpretation and education.

Opportunities for specialized assignments (e.g. cliff rescue, SCUBA diving, off-road vehicle and motorcycle patrol, canine handler, etc.) are also available.

Minimum Qualifications

Cadet

 At least 18 years of age
 Possess a valid driver license
 Successful completion of 60 semester college units, including 21 general education units in natural/social sciences, language, humanities and mathematics
 Physically sound
 Pass a background investigation
 Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident Alien in the process of applying for citizenship
 20/20 corrected vision AND 20/40 uncorrected vision

Ranger

All of the above and:
 Graduation from a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic course academy
 Possession of a POST Basic Certificate or higher
 Possession of appropriate first-aid and CPR certifications
 Successful completion (within the last three years) of the Department of Parks and Recreation's basic visitor services, resource management, interpretation, and park operations training program as a State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Ranger).

Supervisor

 Graduation from a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic course academy
 Possession of a POST Basic Certificate or higher
 Possession of appropriate first-aid and CPR certifications
 Successful completion (within the last three years) of the Department of Parks and Recreation's basic visitor services, resource management, interpretation, and park operations training program as a State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Ranger).