PARK RANGER
PROGRAM
ANNUAL REPORT
Neighborhood Services and Education Committee
October 12, 2023
Avi Yotam, Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Shannon Heimer, Division Manager
Pam Helmke, Supervising Park Ranger
Recruitment & Retention
The Park Ranger Program continues to seek out diverse and highly qualified applicants.
Part-time Park Ranger was reclassified to part-time Park Ranger Assistant to differentiate the sworn and non-sworn.
CLASSIFICATION BUDGETED FTE FILLED FTE VACANT FTE VACANCY RATE Supervising Park
Ranger 2.00 1.00 1.00 50%
Senior Park Ranger 4.00 1.00 3.00 75%
Park Ranger Full-time 11.00 5.00 6.00 55%
Park Rangers Parttime Benefited 2.25 1.50 0.75 33%
All Benefited Rangers 19.25 8.50 10.75 56%
CLASSIFICATION BUDGETED FTE WORKED FTE UNUSED FTE UNUSED RATE Park Rangers Parttime Unbenefited
3.68 (7,654 hours)
2.89 (6,003 hours)
0.79 (1,651 hours) 21%
TOTAL Budgeted FTE 22.93
Current Hiring Status
The Department is actively seeking qualified applicants in a nationwide recruiting effort. Park Ranger & Senior Ranger are currently in recruitment, open until filled. Supervising Park Ranger will open soon.
RECRUITMENT CYCLE Batch 1 Batch 2
Number of Applicants 41 57
Number Interviewed 6 5
Number to Background 3 pending
Number to Conditional
Job Offer pending pending
Number to Medical and
Psychological Evaluation pending pending
Number to Final Offer pending pending
Number Hired pending pending
Expected Start of Academy January 2024
Expected Solo Patrol Starting fall 2024
Program
Highlights
The Park Ranger Program utilized a Park Ranger-specific academy to train new hires in 2023.
The City and POPRA agreed to a body worn camera policy prior to completing a full duty manual.
Park Rangers together with park maintenance staff responded to flooding of Alum Rock Park.
Rangers continue to support Activate SJ guiding principles of Nature and Stewardship through interpretive programming.
Juntos Initiative at Japanese Friendship Garden
PRAGNYA First Responder at Kelley Park
Viva Calle in Willow Glen
Public Safety
TYPE OF
RESPONSE
2017 - 2018 2018 - 2019 2019 - 2020 2020 - 2021 2021 - 2022 2022 - 2023 Fire
Responses 30 33 78 156 76 70
Medical
Events 104 84 71 55 82 74
Search and
Rescue /
Missing
Person
22 12 5 11 5 2
Total 156 129 154 222 163 146
Park Rangers conducted 2,596 enforcement contacts during 2022-2023, with 99% closing with education and warnings, reflecting the program’s philosophy using the lowest appropriate level of enforcement.
2023-2024 Work Plan
• The Department is focusing on a multi-year
rebuilding process to staff up and reclaim a Park
Ranger presence in City parks. • The 2023-2024 Adopted Operating Budget added a Parks Manager position that will serve as the first
ever "Chief Ranger."
• The Department continues to prioritize Park Ranger
hiring and recruitment. • The Department is working with the Bay Area Community College Consortium to develop a Park
Ranger Apprentice Program. • The City is reviewing a comprehensive draft Park Ranger Duty Manual.
PARK RANGER
PROGRAM
ANNUAL REPORT
Neighborhood Services and Education Committee
October 12, 2023
Avi Yotam, Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Shannon Heimer, Division Manager
Pam Helmke, Supervising Park Ranger