Job Description

Job Description and Duties

STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (RANGER/LIFEGUARD) – STATEWIDE RECRUITMENT 

This is a Peace Officer Position. To be eligible, you must be an external candidate and  meet the minimum qualifications established by the Department of Human Resources AND either be currently eligible or eligible for reinstatement as a PC 830.2, California State Peace Officer.  

Positions are available in multiple counties.

STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (PC 830.2 – Full statewide peace officer powers, on- and off-duty)

Incumbents patrol state park lands and waters by vehicle, vessel, horse, or foot; enforce park regulations, state laws, and applicable codes; issue citations; conduct investigations; and effect physical arrests for infractions, misdemeanors, felonies, and warrants.

Officers respond to emergencies, direct critical incidents, perform search-and-rescue operations, provide emergency medical care, assist in wildland/structural fire suppression, and perform traffic control and dispatching as needed.

Specialized assignments may include cliff/technical rescue, ski patrol, public safety diving, surf/swiftwater/flat-water rescue, mounted patrol, off-road vehicle/motorcycle enforcement, or K-9 handler.

Officers are armed with firearms, baton, OC spray, ECD, and restraints; maintain POST firearms and defensive tactics qualifications; and meet ongoing physical fitness and training standards in high-risk, physically demanding environments.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) completion of educational courses as specified in the Class Specification (link available in the Minimum Requirements section).
• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Psychological Evaluation clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) POST - Basic, Intermediate, Advanced License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Special requirements:

The position(s), require(s) – Background investigation to be conducted prior to being hired

The position(s), require(s) – Voice Stress Analysis to be conducted prior to being hired

The position(s), require(s) – Medical clearance to be conducted prior to being hired

The position(s), require(s) – Psychological evaluation to be conducted prior to being hired

The position(s), require(s) – a Drug screening be passed prior to being hired

Felonies – No felony conviction

Additional requirements for the State Park Peace Officer (Lifeguard) classification:

• Six months of experience performing the duties of a lifeguard in other than swimming pools
• Swimming ability sufficient to perform lifesaving activities

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Parks & Recreation

Inland Empire District

Attn: Joel Dinnauer

17801 Lake Perris Drive

Perris , CA 92571

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Parks & Recreation

Primary Cert Contact 2

Class & Hiring / POSU

PO Box 942896

Sacramento , CA 94296-001

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website:

Hiring Unit Contact:
Joel Dinnuaer
(916) 926-3080
joel.dinnauer@parks.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Sharon Comas - EEO Office
(916) 653-9990

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Starting Pay

The starting pay for California State Park Peace Officers typically ranges from $6,339- $8,802.00 per month (with POST Basic Certificate.) However, effective October 1, 2024, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) introduced a new ruling, 1707 - Hiring Above Minimum (HAM), which doesn’t allow California State Parks to offer salaries above the established minimum for the State Park Peace Officer classifications to address recruitment challenges.

It's important to note that there is no negotiation of starting pay regardless of prior law enforcement experience.

In addition to the base salary, officers can receive Geographic Recruitment and Retention ranging from $200 to $350 per month depending on their county of headquarters and residence. Officers also benefit from Longevity Pay of 2% to 9% after 17 years of service, and Education Pay for holding certain qualifications, such as an Intermediate POST Certificate or equivalent, which adds 2.5% of base pay or a minimum of $120, and an Advanced POST Certificate or equivalent, which adds 5% of base pay or a minimum of $240.

These benefits help offset the starting pay and provide additional incentives for recruitment and retention.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office,

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