Park Ranger Cadet; Park Police Officer Cadet

Overview

Under supervision of a Travis County Park Ranger, attends approved Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Academy. The academy is typically a five to nine month Law Enforcement academy, depending on attendance of day and night classes. When not attending the academy, Cadet may perform other office and field support duties, and gain exposure to Travis County Parks operations until successful completion of the TCOLE Academy.

Successfully obtains TCOLE Basic Peace Officer license within specified time frame.

This classification is the trainee entry level position. Park Ranger Cadets are assigned non-law enforcement duties and responsibilities. Cadets perform paraprofessional office and field support duties under supervision of a Travis County Park Ranger. This classification requires a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. Schedule varies, to include some holidays, nights and weekends.

• Attends approved TCOLE Academy.
• As assigned, participates in supervised law enforcement patrols and learns through observing commissioned officers’ response to incidents within the parks as dispatched, reported or as detected by the supervising officer in Travis County parks and preserves.
• May work rotating shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends while not attending TCOLE Academy.
• Disseminates park, preserve, and area information to the public; ensures information is accurate, professional, and timely; interfaces with visitors, neighbors, user groups, and volunteer organizations, and other agencies to promote Travis County parks and preserves in a positive and professional manner; responds to visitor complaints and concerns; directs corrective action as needed.
• Performs clerical support in department operation centers.
• Performs other related non-law enforcement duties as assigned.
• Prepares daily accounting reports.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

High school diploma or G.E.D.

• Valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must be actively engaged in pursuing a law enforcement career.
• Must meet all prerequisite Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Initial Licensure as required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
• Must pass all selection requirements including a background investigation.
• Must maintain background clearance and a valid Texas Driver’s License as a condition of continued employment.
• Must wear academy or department-issued, non-commissioned (civilian) uniform attire.
• Must be able to work in customer service-oriented assignments in busy and crowded areas with members of the public.

• One (1) year experience in Travis County Parks or similar public service system in a customer service related position.
• Associates degree from accredited college or university, or college level credit in degree programs related to the field of criminal justice, law enforcement, natural resources, wildlife management, or parks and recreation.

Knowledge of:

• Basic functions and operations of a law enforcement agency.
• Criminal law, investigation, statutes, ordinances, and crime prevention methods.
• Departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations and rules and regulations regarding radio communication.
• Safety practices in the care and use of firearms.
• Basic customer service.
• Basic mathematics, office procedures and practices.
• Basic working knowledge of computers and common operating software systems.

Skill in:

• Effective oral and written communications.
• Customer service and conflict resolution.
• Handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Data analysis and problem solving.
• Safely operating motorized vehicles and watercraft.
• Operation of two-way radio equipment.
• Use of personal computers and a variety of software applications including word processing and spreadsheets.

Ability to:

• Work under close supervision as well as in a team environment.
• Articulate factual information to the public.
• Provide informal interpretation of area resources.
• Quickly recognize and analyze irregular events, and solve…