HomeMy WebLinkAbout65C - PARK RANGER OPTIONSREQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
TITLE:
PARK RANGER /AMBASSADOR
PROGRAM POLICY OPTIONS AND
RECOMMENDATION FROM CITY
MANAGER {STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 1, 1B}
C/r1s',fi2.�s
CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
APPROVED
❑ As Recommended
❑ As Amended
❑ Ordinance on 1s' Reading
❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading
❑ Implementing Resolution
❑ Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
FILE NUMBER
City Manager recommendation of Option A is described below as well as two other options for
City Council consideration.
OPTIONS:
A. Begin the Park Ambassador Program and the Police Department's Park Enforcement
Liaison Program.
B. Continue the existing armed Park Ranger Program.
C. Begin recruitment of new armed Park Rangers such as retired Sheriff Deputies.
DISCUSSION
The Park Ranger Program began in 1981 and evolved from Rangers who carried no weapons to
Rangers carrying guns beginning in 1991. In the last 10 years, crime in the city including crime in
the parks has decreased. At the same time, the need to enhance customer relations with park
and recreation users and the ability to immediately report on needed repairs, graffiti removal, and
vandalism in the City's park and recreation facilities has increased. Quickly responding to park
and recreation customer needs is a key strategy in keeping the park system safe and wholesome
for the public.
In the last 12 years there were several recruitment efforts to hire retired Police Officers as part
time Park Rangers. Most of the applicants that applied and passed the background and got hired
were retired Police Officers from the Santa Ana Police Department. The City currently has five
20 -hour part time Park Rangers that carry guns and report to the Parks and Recreation Agency.
Four of the five Rangers are CalPERS retirees. In 2012 the City was put on notice by CalPERS
that CalPERS retirees cannot be hired for more than a short temporary basis. The average
employment service of the CaIPERS part time Park Rangers is seven and a half years.
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Park Ranger /Ambassador Options and City Manager Recommendation
February 3, 2015
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In 2013 the City began making plans on developing a solution that would enhance the safety of
the park and recreation system and at the same time enhance customer relations to the public.
These planning efforts concluded and the recommended option (Option A) is to deploy the Park
Ambassador Program and add a park enforcement focus area to the Police Department's Field
Operations Special Enforcement Team. The job flyer for fifteen part time Park Ambassadors is
attached. Funding for the part time Park Ambassadors is provided for in the FY 14 -15 approved
Parks and Recreation Agency budget. Once the City Council approves the creation of the Park
Ambassador Job Classification, Personnel Services will proceed in facilitating the selection of the
Park Ambassadors.
The one non CalPERS Park Ranger will be offered the opportunity to continue working on park
and recreation customer relations. The four CalPERS retiree Park Rangers were given a 60 -day
notice of termination with February 18 being their last day of employment. The Rangers have
done an excellent job throughout the years. The most efficient way to continue and enhance the
Ranger's law enforcement duties is to transfer this responsibility to the Police Department. Unity
of command and follow up to crimes in parks such as investigating patterns of vandalism in the
park system and other crimes will ensure safer park and recreational facilities. The Police
Department has assigned a corporal as the full time Park Enforcement Liaison Officer who will
take direction from the Department's Field Operations Special Enforcement Team. Safety and
security of the City's park and recreation facilities will be enhanced through the benefit of the
Police Department's resources such as dispatching of regular patrol services, horse patrol and
crime analysis support.
When the transfer of park law enforcement responsibilities from the Parks and Recreation Agency
to the Police Department was discussed at the October 27 Parks, Recreation, Education, and
Youth (PREY) Council Committee meeting, the Police Chief reported on a crime analysis study of
calls for public safety services and self- initiated activity at City parks. An estimated 11,000 calls
for services were received in the last five years with Santa Ana Police patrol officers handling
82% of those calls while the Park Rangers handled 18 %. This statistic confirms that the majority
of Park Ranger duties do not involve public safety services. The full -time corporal assigned as the
Park Enforcement Liaison Officer will help make sure that the parks and recreation facilities
become even better served by Police services.
In addition, efficient risk management of armed personnel should be under the Police Chief's
direction. The City's resources for proper training and supervision of armed personnel are in the
Police Department. A recent survey conducted by staff showed that this is the standard approach
in all cities in Southern California. There are no armed park rangers in any city in Southern
California except for three armed Park Rangers in the City of Long Beach and they now report to
the Police Department.
Option B, would require rescinding the 60 -day notice of separation to the four part time Park
Rangers so they can continue to perform their duties. Whether they continue in Parks and
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Park Ranger /Ambassador Options and City Manager Recommendation
February 3, 2015
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Recreation or begin working in the Police Department, the City would be in violation of the
CalPERS rule that CalPERS employers should not hire for more than a short temporary basis any
CalPER retiree. Continuing to keep the Rangers in the payroll system puts both the retiree and
the City at risk.
Option C would be to begin recruitment of part time Park Rangers that qualify to carry guns, are
not CalPERS retirees, and report to the Police Department. While the recruitment is going on,
the Police Department would be authorized to increase their use of overtime so that other Police
personnel can help support the work of the Park Enforcement Liaison Officer. In addition, the
fifteen Park Ambassadors, if approved, will support the monitoring and communication efforts of
activity in the park system that is needed by the Police Department work at the parks, be it
through the Park Enforcement Liaison Officer or the Park Rangers. Over 350 applications have
been received for the Park Ambassador job opportunity.
The steps to implement Option A or Option C would involve the Police Department working
closely with the Parks and Recreation Agency to ensure all park users and neighborhoods are
reached out to and communicated as to these new efforts. Both Police and Parks and Recreation
will make sure that feedback from the community is taken into consideration as the deployment
efforts of Option A or Option C takes place.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Affirming Option A or Option C allows the City to meet Goal #1 Community Safety and Objective
#1, to modernize the Community Policing philosophy to improve customer service, crime
prevention and traffic /pedestrian /bicycle safety. The strategy (1 b.) will be supported so that that
enhancement to the development of a community - policing plan based on community input to
deliver crime prevention /community policing /traffic - pedestrian safety programs in a consistent and
uniformed manner takes place.
FISCAL IMPACT
None. All options can be implemented within approved budget.
Executive Director Director
Parks, Recreation and Community
Exhibit: Park Ambassador Job Bulletin
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12/31/2014
Job Bulletin
SANTA ANA, CITY OF (CA)
invites applications for the position of:
Park Ambassador
(Bilingual - Spanish)
(Part -Time) *
SALARY: $15,62 - $19.01 Hourly
OPENING DATE: 12/18/14
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: Open Competitive
DESCRIPTION:
Under general supervision, courteously and professionally interacts with residents, the general
public, sports organizations, coaches, and sports participants at various City parks, trails, and
recreational facilities to provide enhanced communication and services for the community, while
focusing on preventing problems from occurring and promoting positive use of our parks system.
The incumbent(s) will work an average of 20 hours per week. Work schedule is to be determined. This
recruitment is open until filled and can close at any time and without warning, Bilingual pay is an additional
$1.011hr.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Monitors and provides supervision at City parks, trails, fields, and recreational facilities.
• Provides excellent customer service and has detailed knowledge of Parks' programs and
services, City parks, trails, and recreation facilities,
• Acts as the park system's "eyes and ears" to quickly and efficiently report safety,
programming, or maintenance issues to appropriate personnel to be taken care of.
• Interfaces and works closely with the Police Department to report public safety problems;
provides early notifications of park areas that might develop into public safety problems.
• Regularly communicates with the Police Department's police officer assigned as the Park
Enforcement Liaison Officer to enhance public safety while promoting early prevention of
crime, deterring graffiti and vandalism, in support of the positive use of parks and recreation
facilities.
• Takes and administers reservations; opens and closes facilities such as athletic fields for
reservations to take place; may set -up and tear down athletic field(s) when required; conducts
regular inspections and reports hazardous or unsafe conditions of athletic facilities; monitors
and enforces park rules as outlined in the S.A.M.C., Athletic Field Use Policies and
Procedures and Synthetic Field Rules and Regulations; may assist with the maintenance and
cleanliness of facilities, and with the inventory of restroom supplies.
• Writes reports which may involve facility reservations and incident reports.
• Participates cooperatively in work team activities.
• Performs other related tasks as required.
http ;llagency. governmen tjobs.com /sanmanaldefaul t.cfm ?action= ,lobbuil etin&Job]D= 1028699
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12/31/2014
Job Bulletin
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
At least one year of experience involving extensive public contact in customer service and security;
or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the knowledge and abilities listed
as follows:
Knowledge of: public relations; parks rules and regulations as outlined in the S.A.M.C., Athletic
Field Use Police and Procedures, and Synthetic Field Rules and Regulations; sports facility
management, automatic lighting systems, and sports field preparation.
Abili to: perform assignments without close supervision; learn, interpret and explain specific
regulations, policies and procedures; provide excellent customer service; be effective and respectful
when communicating and interacting with the community and the general public, other employees,
supervisors, and sports facility patrons; become familiar with representatives from each user group;
exercise flexibility and sound judgment in confrontational situations that may arise; establish and
maintain effective working relationships with other employees individually and in a work team.
SPECIAL REOUIREMENTS:
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must possess and retain a valid California Class "C" Driver's License as a condition of
employment.
• Education equivalent to high school graduation.
• Bilingual in English AND Spanish is REQUIRED.
• Basic skill in using a personal computer and Microsoft software programs.
• Professional and courteous attitude in working with City staff and the general public.
• May be required to work extended hours, including evenings, holidays and weekends.
SELECTION PROCESS:
All applicants are required to complete and submit a City application and Supplemental Application
Form online. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the City online application.
Applications must be submitted online.
Click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this pa e. New users must create an account first. You
may also visit www.govemmentjobs.com for more ulormatlon.
Personnel Services and the Parks and Recreation Department will review all applications and those
candidates who possess the most pertinent qualifications will be invited for an oral interview by the
hiring agency. If you have any questions, please call Juan Lara at (714) 571 -4259 or Enrique
Marban at (714) 571 -4254.
*This newly created part time job classification and salary range are pending City Council
approval.
Prior to awointment a backeround records check and medical exam will be conducted.
The City of Santa Ana is an equal of employer. If you consider yourself a person with a
disability, you may contact us regar tngproviding reasonable accommodation.
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT: Job #PT 29 -15 PR
htfn•Uisyw.ean a- am.nro PARK AMBASSADOR (BILINGUAL - SPANISH) (PART- TIME)*
http: / /agency.govemmentj obs. com /santaanaJdefault.cfm?action =j obbut I ctin&Job[D= 1028699
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