DUTIES

ANNUAL SALARY

$78,467 to $96,194

Note

Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

DUTIES

A Park Ranger provides public assistance and emergency services, including first aid, crowd and traffic control, firefighting, and search and rescue; patrols City parks, beaches, and other facilities to ensure park security; interprets and enforces City regulations and Municipal and Penal Code sections regarding park use; prepares and presents interpretive nature and environmental programs; and may provide radio communication to ranger units.

REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)

Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; and
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, with a major in Park Administration, Recreation, Botany, Zoology, Biology, Fire Science, Criminal Justice, or other field-oriented Natural, Social or Behavioral Science, or a closely related field.

The following experience may be substituted for the education lacking on a year-for-year basis:

Full-time experience, as a Park Ranger or other law enforcement officer with a recognized peace officer organization;
Full-time experience, in the protection (or preparation and presentation of scientific information related to vegetation, wildlife, ecosystems or historical significance) of a park, forest, or public recreational or historical area or facility;
Full-time experience as a Security Officer with the City of Los Angeles;
Full-time experience as a firefighter, paramedic, or EMT;
Full-time experience as a lifeguard with a governmental agency.

PROCESS NOTES

As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.
See Job Preview for additional information regarding the duties and requirements of a Park Ranger. In addition to the regular City application, all applicants must complete the Job Preview Questionnaire (JPQ), and the Preliminary Background Application (PBA) at the time of filing. Applicants who fail to submit the application, JPQ, and PBA, at the time of filing will not be considered candidates in this examination and their application will not be processed.
Applicants wishing to substitute experience for the required education who did not receive a degree as described in Requirement #2 must indicate the required course information, including the course title, the number of units (semester or quarter), date completed, and the name of the school in the Supplemental Questions section of the on-line application at the time of filing. Applicants who fail to do so will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed. General education courses and elective units taken outside of the specified major/areas need not be listed. We recommend that you have your course work information with you before you go on-line to file your application.
Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at https://personnel.lacity.gov/Accredited%20Institutions%2008-21-08.pdf.
Candidates must be at least 20 ½ years of age at the time of hire.
Successful candidates in the examination process who qualified with a degree as described under Requirement #2 will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.
A Standard First Aid and CPR or EMT-1 certificate is desired, but not required.

WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE

All applications, Job Preview Questionnaires, Preliminary Background Application Forms, and Training and Experience Questionnaires WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON-LINE. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon. On-line job bulletins are available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity for Open Competitive Examinations.

Note

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed below:

Filing Period 1: From Friday, May 22, 2026 to Thursday June 4, 2026

Filing Period 2: From Friday, August 21, 2026 to Thursday, September 3, 2026

Filing Period 3: From Friday, November 20, 2026 to Thursday, December 3, 2026

Civil Service Rule 4.2

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period in order to be considered for that periods selection process.

SELECTION PROCESS

THE DAY OF THE EXAMINATION

Bring a valid State or Federal issued photo identification card with your signature.

SELECTION PROCESS

Examination Weights: Multiple-Choice Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qualifying

Physical Abilities Test (PAT). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qualifying

Training and Experience (T&E) Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100%

The examination will consist of three parts: 1) a qualifying (pass/fail) multiple-choice test, 2) a qualifying (pass/fail) physical abilities test, and 3) a training and experience (T&E) questionnaire.

QUALIFYING MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST: Candidates must pass a qualifying test, consisting of multiple-choice questions, which may examine for candidate’s knowledge of English usage and grammar, reading comprehension, and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The multiple-choice test may take place in-person or on-line. Candidates will be notified at a later date with further instructions. For on-line tests, candidates will be able to take the test from a remote location using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department outlining the specific steps on how to take the test on-line. For in-person tests, the test will take place in Los Angeles and candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department regarding the time and location of the test.

Passing Score for the Qualifying Multiple-Choice Test

The passing score for the multiple-choice test will be determined by Personnel Department staff after the qualifying multiple-choice test is administered. Consideration will be given to the number of candidates taking the test and the existing and anticipated number of vacancies, such that there are a sufficient number of eligibles on the list to satisfy current and future vacancies for the next two years. Therefore, the passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test may be set either above or below 70%.

QUALIFYING PHYSICAL ABILITIES TEST: Candidates must pass a qualifying Physical Abilities Test designed to measure coordination, strength, and endurance.

The physical abilities test will be held in Los Angeles. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of the exact date and time of the examination. Candidates who do not complete both the on-line multiple-choice test and physical abilities test will be considered to have failed the examination. Only those candidates who pass the qualifying physical abilities test and the qualifying multiple-choice test will have their T&E scored.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE: This evaluation will take place only for candidates who achieve a passing score on both the Qualifying Multiple-Choice Test and Physical Abilities Test. The Training and Experience Questionnaire will be administered on-line. The Park Ranger T&E Questionnaires and City employment applications of these candidates will be submitted to an expert review panel for evaluation. The expert review panel will assign a numeric score to each candidate based on an assessment of each candidate’s qualifications, as described on the candidate’s City application and Training and Experience Questionnaire. In the T&E, applicants may be examined for their written communication as well as their judgment and decision making, ability to keep composed under stressful circumstances, their ability to effectively communicate with members of the public and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional information can be obtained by going to https://personnel.lacity.gov/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under Park Ranger.

Appointment Is Subject To

Possession of a valid California driver’s license, AND
Passing a thorough and comprehensive background investigation, AND
Completion of a thorough medical examination, including a psychological inventory which includes a written test and may include a clinical interview, AND
Based on City Policy, before being hired, candidates may be required to undergo a DRUG and ALCOHOL screening test.
Signing the Acknowledgment of Reimbursement of Park Ranger Training Costs.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

A Park Ranger’s initial assignment will be in a position that has been designated as a temporary training position by the Civil Service Commission. Employment in such positions may be up to six months in which the trainee is expected to successfully complete a law enforcement training program approved by the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Failure to successfully complete this training will lead to termination. Upon completion of the training program, employees will receive a regular appointment to the class of Park Ranger and begin a twelve-month probationary period in the Department of Recreation and Parks. Park Rangers are subject to reassignment of work locations, rotating work shifts, and changing days off.

Notes

As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at https://personnel.lacity.gov/exams/verify_disability.pdf
Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
This examination is based on a validation study, and as provided by Civil Service Commission Rule 4.20, the multiple-choice test will not be subject to candidate inspection.
City Ordinance #171665 requires that the costs of Park Ranger training are subject to repayment to the City by the Park Ranger, on a pro-rated basis, if the Park Ranger leaves City employment within 60 months of completing training, and if, within one year of leaving the City, accepts an equivalent position with an enforcement agency.
You may take this examination every six months. Your name may be removed from the open competitive eligible list after six months.
A final average score of 70% in the evaluation of the Training and Experience Questionnaire and a passing score on the multiple-choice test and physical abilities test portions of the examination are required to be placed on the eligible list.

Notice

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN

ONLY ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

City of Los Angeles

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PARK RANGER 1966