Assistant Park Ranger - Loud Thunder Forest Preserve

ASSISTANT PARK RANGER

Loud Thunder Forest Preserve

The role of Assistant Park Ranger at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve is both challenging and rewarding, situated in the heart of Illinois City, IL.

This position primarily involves working closely with the Loud Thunder Park Ranger to maintain and enhance the park's facilities and natural landscapes. A key focus of the job includes the thorough maintenance of park grounds, structures, and a variety of machinery that ranges from light to heavy duty. As an Assistant Park Ranger, you'll be tasked with ensuring that all equipment is in good working condition, ready to support park operations effectively.

The Assistant Park Ranger will also interact frequently with the public, especially during peak camping months, which demands regular site patrols to conduct security checks at campsites and ensure visitor safety. This interaction not only helps maintain a safe environment, but also fosters positive experiences for all guests.

Collaboration with the supervising Ranger is essential, as you will engage in strategic planning sessions to assess timelines for maintenance tasks and projects.  To excel in this role, candidates must exhibit a proactive attitude and be self-motivated, along with strong organizational and communication skills to effectively serve both park visitors and the staff team. 

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with excellent benefits that includes sick time, vacation, and paid holidays; health and vision benefits; in addition to a defined pension benefit. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patrols park property on foot or in a vehicle. Performs visual inspections of park property and facilities. Checks for maintenance and security problems. Patrol duties and responsibilities include:
  • Ensuring camping permits are secured properly from the camp office.
  • Responds to inquiries from campers and other patrons.
  • Enforces rules and regulations while patrolling grounds.
  • Performs inspection of facilities to ensure they are safe for patron use.
  • Assists in the operation of the boat rental service.
• When not assigned to patrol duty, the employee receives work assignments in the maintenance of grounds, facilities, vehicles and equipment. Duties and responsibilities include:
  • Performs pre and post operational checks on equipment.
  • Performs manufacture recommended servicing to equipment, i.e. oil changes, fluids, belts, blades.
  • Replaces blown fuses to campsite electrical pedestals.
  • Turns water off and flushes water systems at the end of camping season.
  • Repairs broken or vandalized signs, toilets, sinks, boat docks, picnic pavilions, and outbuildings.
  • Repairs roads with cold and hot patch asphalt.
  • Conducts prescribed fire to target areas.
  • Uses pesticides to control invasive and unwanted vegetation in targeted areas through the preserve.
• Assumes responsibilities for absent subordinates as needed.
• Performs the duties and assumes the responsibilities of the Park Ranger in their absence.
• Shall assist in emergencies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience, & License Requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree in recreation park tourism administration (RPTA), forestry, or closely related field supplemented by one year of experience in public preserve or park operation, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Strong mechanical background is preferred.
• Experience in the operation of mowers, tractors, and skid steer.
• Experience with a chainsaw and tree felling.
• Ability to obtain an Illinois Pesticide License.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be willing to work weekends, holidays and work shifts that include first and second shifts on weekends and holidays.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forestry and parks management.
• Ability to learn and willingness to adhere to Rock Island County Forest Preserve District standards and codes, practices, policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate with the public tactfully and courteously.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Knowledge of phone systems, computers, and other office equipment.
• Skill in the operation of grounds maintenance equipment, such as power mowers, tractors, chainsaws, trimmers, leaf blowers, and other related equipment.
• Ability and aptitude to identify needed repair and maintenance of light and heavy equipment.
• Highly desired skills for this position: welding, plumbing, rough construction, electrical, mechanical knowledge.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Task involves the regular, and at times sustained, performance of heavier physical tasks such as walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, working in confined spaces, and lifting or carrying moderately heavy (20-50 pound) items and occasionally very heavy (100 pounds or over) items; or may involve the complex operation of gasoline, electric, or diesel-powered machinery or shop equipment requiring the manipulation of multiple controls, fine and adjustments or both; or the sustained operation, on a production basis, of such devices as offset presses with associated equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Task may require frequent exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Task requires color perception and discrimination. Task requires sound perception and discrimination. Task requires odor perception and discrimination. Task requires depth perception and discrimination. Task requires texture perception and discrimination. Task requires visual perception and discrimination. Task requires oral communications ability.