Park Ranger Trainee - Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

This job announcement is scheduled to close at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

To learn more about this opportunity, attend our upcoming informational workshop on Sunday, May 24, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, or Wednesday, May 27, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

For registration and further details, please click here.

Are you ready to join a team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference? The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’ latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving places where people live, work, play, and learn, which include 48 community centers, 10 regional parks, 203 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 290 playgrounds and almost 63 miles of trails, programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit activatesj.org

Position Duties

The total salary for the Park Ranger Trainee classification is $88,364.64 annually. This salary includes approximately five percent (5%) ongoing, non-pensionable pay.

PRNS is currently recruiting to fill multiple full-time benefited Park Ranger Trainee vacancies.

We are looking for highly motivated and personable individuals with strong leadership abilities and innovative ideas to join our dynamic team. Our department is dedicated to delivering exceptional service to our diverse community, and we encourage bilingual applicants, particularly those fluent in Spanish or Vietnamese, to apply. If you are interested in a career as a Park Ranger, we strongly recommend applying to be considered for current and future opportunities arising from this recruitment.

Park Rangers play a vital role as stewards of our park system, ensuring public safety, protecting natural and cultural resources, and inspiring future generations to appreciate and care for the environment. As first responders, they are often the initial point of contact for medical, fire, and other emergencies within the parks they oversee. Park Rangers also educate visitors on park regulations, encourage voluntary compliance, and strive to create a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Their approach emphasizes education and community engagement, resolving situations with the lowest appropriate level of enforcement.

Park Ranger Trainee Duties:

Specifically, under general supervision, this classification performs duties of moderate difficulty including performing overall work in park operations and visitor services; resource and environmental protection; greeting visitors and explaining/interpreting park features; performing rescue and fire suppression activities; administering emergency medical care as needed; patrolling parks; enforcement of state and local laws; performing conservation programs and projects; providing lead direction to other park personnel; coordinating and leading volunteer and internship programs; providing traffic and parking control; and preparing written and oral reports and other communication.

• Attends and participates in all classes, completes assignments, takes tests, and follows all instructions in accordance with the academy curriculum and code of conduct. Develops proficiency in a variety of law enforcement and public safety subjects, which may include, but are not limited to, criminal law, criminal investigation, firearms training, emergency response, defensive tactics, search and rescue operations, and vehicle operations.
• In a learning capacity, provides assistance in the daily operations of parks, and facilities; patrols parks, trails, and facilities and enforces park rules and regulations.
• In a learning capacity, provides information to the public, including answering questions, explaining park or facility policies and regulations, and greeting visitors; responds to park visitor complaints; checks visitors into the park and assignsappropriate spacefor use; relates effectively to park visitors.
• In a learning capacity, performs traffic and/or parking control activities.
• In a learning capacity, participates in training with an onboarding guide. Gains hands-on experience in park operations, including visitor services and routine administrative tasks, while learning the policies, procedures, and safety protocols necessary to support park operations.
• In a learning capacity, operates light vehicles, radios, and other necessary equipment to perform Park Ranger Trainee activities.
• In a learning capacity, conducts tours; explains natural and historical park features.
• In a learning capacity, arranges and builds displays at park visitor center; may perform emergency and routine custodial maintenance tasks; operates small or power tools.
• In a learning capacity, prepares appropriate written and oral reports; may make court appearances.
• In a learning capacity, performs rescue, search, and fire suppression activities.
• In a learning capacity, coordinates volunteer or internship programs.
• Performs other related work as required.

WORK SCHEDULES WILL FLUCTUATE TO MEET PARK OPERATIONAL NEEDS AND WILL INCLUDE WORK DURING LATE AFTERNOONS/EVENINGS, WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS. ASSIGNMENTS CAN BE MADE TO ANY AREA OF THE CITY'S REGIONAL PARKS, TRAILS SYSTEM, OR OTHER PRNS FACILITY.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Two (2) years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university. This is equivalent to at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.

Acceptable Substitution:
Veterans and active military personnel may substitute this requirement if they:

• Have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard AND
• Have completed four (4) years of active military duty AND
• Have received an honorable discharge from the United States Military.

Required Licensing:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California
• Must possess the ability to meet all background, medical, psychological, and polygraph minimum standards as required by law.

Other Qualifications

Basic Competencies (Needed at entry into the job in order to perform the essential duties.)

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, including public safety, day to day park operations, park interpretive education programs, conservation, nature and wildlife, natural resource management; Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
• Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
• Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
• Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
• Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in a related field is highly desirable. Coursework in park management, biology, forestry, or other sciences is highly desirable.
Park Ranger Trainees are considered City of San Jose employees while attending the Department approved Park Ranger Academy, which is approximately a 13-week long program. Park Ranger Trainees will be paid their hourly rate while in the Academy. Full-time Ranger classifications are required to be deputized as a Peace Officer and as such, must pass all parts of the Department approved Academy. Failure to do so in the first year will result in termination of the position. After successfully completing the Department approved academy, Park Ranger Trainees will be placed in an approximately 12-week Field Training Program and must receive a meets standards or higher to complete the program. Failure to do so will result in termination of the position and from the City.

Applicants are encouraged to verify their qualifications via the following tests as soon as possible (proof of passing test scores will be required before a final offer of employment is made):

Physical Agility:

You must pass a department approved pre-employment Physical Agility Test for law enforcement - POST Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB). The WSTB includes an obstacle course, body drag, fence climb with sprint and run. Results are valid for one year. For more information, visit: http://www.theacademy.ca.gov/tests. We will not accept the WSTB from any other agency.

Please note : If you are invited to interviews and move forward in the hiring process, the PRNS department will cover the cost of one (1) WSTB exam by providing a discount code via email. Any practice exams, exams taken before the interview process, or unauthorized exams will not be paid for or reimbursed by the department.

WSTB exam dates and times can be found here: Pre-Employment Testing and Training - The Academy. Please note that you will be registered for the test of your choosing at the COY - San José campus ONLY.

Please note that you can attend a Physical Agility Practice Session at your own expense. You may find the dates and locations here: Pre-Employment Testing and Training - The Academy Pre-Employment Testing and Training - The Academy.

Here are the tentative WSTB exam dates that candidates will be expected to register for:

• Sat, June 20 - 12:30pm - COY - San Jose
• Tue, June 30 - 12:30pm - COY - San Jose
• Thu, July 9 - 9:30am - COY - San Jose
• Sat, July 25 - 9:30am - COY - San Jose
• Thu, August 6 - 9:30am - COY - San Jose
• Sat, August 29 - 9:30am - COY - San Jose

Reading and Writing (Applicants must choose and pay for one of the following):

PELLETB: Complete the California POST Reading & Writing Test (PELLETB). Pass Point is a T-Score total of 50 or higher. Results are valid for three years. For more information or to register go to: https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/

OR

National Testing Network (NTN): Complete the National Testing Network Test (NTN). Pass Point scores are 65% Video, 70% Reading, and 70% Writing. Nationwide classroom and/or virtual exams available. Results are valid for three years. NTN will forward exam results to the City of San José. For more information or to register go to: https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs

**All candidates must submit proof of a passing score for the WSTB AND PELLETB OR NTN exam result during the background check process following the interviews.

APPLICANTS MAY BE REJECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Criminal history including commission or conviction of a criminal offense(s); Recent forced resignation, termination, or probation failure from any public safety or emergency medical service position or other employment-related issue(s); Recent or current use of any illicit drugs or narcotics. Past use is evaluated on an individual basis. Failure to disclose prior use is cause for immediate disqualification. Falsification or failure to disclose any required information during the application, testing or selection processes will also result in immediate disqualification.

Other issues that may affect an applicant's suitability for a public safety position with the City of San José is based upon the Department's hiring standards. Successful candidates may enter the final selection process and may be given a conditional offer of employment. The final selection process will include the following: written and oral psychological screening for full-time/part-time candidates and a medical exam (completed by the City's physician) for all candidates.

Applicants deemed the most qualified after application screening, oral interviews, and/or practical/written exercise will be required to pass a background investigation, polygraph evaluation, medical and psychological examinations, and fingerprint clearance prior to appointment.

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of the Park Ranger Trainee position, please contact Huy Mac at Huy.Mac@sanjoseca.gov.

If you have questions about the selection or hiring processes, please email Vaishali Vashistha at vaishali.vashistha@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 6/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

Show more