Park Ranger I-III Park Police Officer (PPO)

• Position Title: Park Ranger I-III Park Police Officer (PPO)
• Posting Number: 12-08-059
• Posted: October 31, 2011
• Closes: 5 p.m. November 30, 2011
• Class/Salary Group: 2640,2641,2642/B14,B16,B18
• Salary: $2,765.77- $3,175.15 - $3,547.56/Mo.
• Division: State Parks
• Position Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park, 1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043
• Hiring Contact: Nathanael Gold
• Phone: 254/897-4588
• Fax: 254/897-3409
• E-Mail: nathanael.gold@tpwd.state.tx.us
• General Position Description: Under the direction of the Park Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, this position is responsible for the safety, security and protection of Dinosaur Valley State Park. State Park Police Officers provide professional law enforcement services by educating the public about various laws and regulations, preventing violations by conducting high visibility patrols and apprehending and arresting violators. Duties include enforcement of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Code, State Park Rules and Regulations, Texas Penal Code, and relevant provisions of other Texas laws. Patrols the state park, performs investigations and conducts search and rescue operations. Works closely with and assists other law enforcement agencies and responds to emergency and on-call situations. Administrative duties include assisting with issuing permits, revenue collection, accounting, preparation and submittal of daily, weekly and monthly reports. Provides customer service by greeting visitors, customer registration and providing general information concerning the park. Performs routine cleaning and maintenance and repair to park grounds, facilities, vehicles, and equipment. Performs any additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division, and Branch rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Working Conditions: (1) Required to work in a high visitation public park with overnight camping; (2) Required to work hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with days off other than Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; (3) Required to adjust to changing schedules; (4) Required to respond to emergency and on call situations; (5) Required to travel with possible overnight stays; (6) Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions; (7) Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.
• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree. Acceptable Substitutions: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) employees hired prior to January 1, 1998 may substitute one year of TPWD experience in park management, supervision or operations for thirty semester hours of the required education with a maximum substitution of sixty semester hours; OR 20 continuous years of full-time commissioned law enforcement service may substitute for the required degree; this only applies to law enforcement positions that are not in the management, superintendent or regional series. Preferred Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Park Administration, Recreation & Parks, Wildlife/Fisheries Science, Natural and/or Cultural Resource Management, Forestry, Biology, Anthropology/Archeology or History.
  • Experience: Park Ranger I: No experience required. Park Ranger II: Upon TPWD Commissioning. Park Ranger III: One year as a TPWD Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer. Preferred Experience: (1) Experience in Law Enforcement; (2) Experience in customer service; (3) Experience in park operations.
  • License/Certifications: (1) Must have a current license from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) or be able to obtain within one year; (2) Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid Texas class "C" driver's license; (3) Must be able to legally operate a state vehicle; (4) Must be a citizen of the United States. Federal law requires that new employees present original documents that establish identity and US employment eligibility; (5) Must meet minimum qualifications for Park Police Officer commissioning by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD); (6) Must not have had a commission license denied by final order or revoked, or have a voluntary surrender of a license currently in effect; (7) Must be of good moral character and not have any of the following incidents in their criminal history: (a) a conviction for any Felony, or Class A Misdemeanor offense at any time; (b) conviction for any Class B Misdemeanor offense within 10 years prior to the date of application, which includes convictions for DWI (driving while intoxicated), DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) and BWI (boating while intoxicated); (c) conviction for any family violence offense; (d) currently on court-ordered community supervision, probation or parole for any criminal offense above the grade of Class C Misdemeanor; (8) Must not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions; (9) Twenty-one years of age or older; (10) Must successfully pass a comprehensive background check; (11) Must be examined by a department approved licensed psychologist and be declared to be in satisfactory psychological and emotional health for law enforcement duty; (12) Must be examined by a department approved licensed physician and be declared to be physically able to perform the duties of a state park police officer; (13) Recommended candidates not currently commissioned with TPWD will be required to successfully pass a physical agility test: (a) Before being allowed to take the physical agility test, the applicant will be required to provide a description of the test to a physician and obtain a written medical clearance; (b) A detailed list of requirements can be obtained by contacting TPWD Human Resources Department. Note: Retention of this position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining the required licenses.
• Selection Criteria:
  • Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (1) Knowledge of general maintenance techniques; (2) Knowledge of accounting/accountability of revenue collection; (3) Knowledge of Texas criminal laws, the code of criminal procedures, the penal code and Texas Parks and Wildlife rules and regulations; (4) Skill in effective verbal and written communication; (5) Skill in preparing and creating various daily, weekly, quarterly, annual and special reports; (6) Skill in using MS Word, Excel and Outlook; (7) Skill in using hand and power tools, mowers, trimmers, chain saws, tractors, vehicles, generators and other mechanical equipment; (8) Skilled in First Aid, CPR and emergency procedures; (9) Skill in providing quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner; (10) Skill in planning, assigning and/or supervising the work of others; (11) Skill in making independent, sound, timely decisions; (12) Ability to work as a team member of a team; (13) Ability to maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and multiple changing priorities; (14) Ability to work independently with little or no supervision; (15) Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with employee safety program; (16) Ability to uniformly and consistently interpret and enforce state and federal safety laws and park rules and regulations; (17) Ability to work under stressful conditions.
  • Additional Requirements: (1) Resumes are accepted, but will not serve in lieu of a completed State of Texas Application for Employment; (2) Skills demonstration may be requested at time of interview; (3) Miscellaneous information such as training certificates and copy of driver's license are NOT required; (4) A PHOTOCOPY of an official college transcript(s) issued from the registrar MUST be submitted with application. The transcript may be "issued to student" and does not need to be sealed and sent to TPWD. The transcript may be faxed, scanned, or mailed with application; (5) Texas Parks and Wildlife requires a consent for criminal background check form from all applicants completed at time of application. The form may be found on our website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/jobs.
• FORWARD APPLICATION TO: TPWD- Dinosaur Valley State Park, P.O. Box 396, Glen Rose, TX 76043; Attn: Nathanael Gold.

An Equal Opportunity Employer
Employment, Recruitment and Retention Branch
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Phone: 512-389-4545; Fax: 512-389-4861; Internet: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/