Job Details

Park Ambassador Limited Duration Opportunity

Parks and Open Space is looking for an energetic and positive candidate for the Park Ambassador Limited Duration opportunity. The assignment is expected to last up to twelve months.

Are you interested in playing a major role in keeping Eugene's parks and natural areas safe, clean, green and welcoming? Eugene's Park Ambassadors provide a positive presence in Eugene's parks and natural areas. Ambassadors serve multiple roles by providing information, helping solve park user conflicts, seeking voluntary compliance of park rules, and working directly with people who are experiencing homelessness. Ambassadors work closely with park operations teams, community engagement staff, and the Eugene Police Department's parks resource officers. They also visit and learn more about local social service agencies in order to strengthen partnerships and be a good resource for people who are experiencing homelessness.

The ideal candidate for this position is a good communicator who is able to stay calm and put people at ease even during tough conversations. You are able to collaborate within the City organization, with active external partners, and community members representing a myriad of viewpoints. You care about parks, nature and people; are inclusive and culturally competent, and are able to roll up your sleeves to work as a team when a large cleanup is needed. You are comfortable using or learning mobile technology tools to track work, and continuously adapt, adjust and implement strategies for innovative solutions that best fit the organization. You are comfortable conducting a larger percentage of your work throughout the year by bike.

Park ambassadors are part of the Community Engagement Section of the Parks and Open Space Division. The section includes the Eugene Outdoors volunteer coordinators, the Community Gardens manager and the divisions' Community Engagement coordinator. The program has been seasonal through a temporary agency over the last three years but thanks to the passing of the 2018 Levy the City has funding to hire two full time year round City of Eugene park ambassadors.

Classification: Park Ambassador

Salary: $27.46 - $34.21 / hourly; $57,116.80 - $71,156.80 / annually

The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA). You can learn more about our process at our How to Apply page.

Department, Division: Public Works Parks and Open Space Division

Work Location: 1820 Roosevelt Blvd., Eugene

Examples of Duties Performed - Duties may include but are not limited to the following

Seeks voluntary compliance on park rules, including working with illicit campers to follow park rules. Posts notice of illegal camp cleanup and monitors sites to ensure clean up takes place. Reports repeat offenders and unlawful activities to Central Lane Communications and Eugene Police Park Patrol. Recommends park exclusions in partnership with Eugene Police Park resource officers. Works with Eugene Police Department, or other security service as needed. Provides the public with information about parks, trails, natural areas and public spaces in Eugene. Information includes history, activities, rules, hours and other general information. Patrols assigned area on foot, by bicycle and/or by vehicle. Writes daily reports and situation reports as needed. Tracks field activities on mobile device such as numbers and types of park rule violations by location. Makes field decisions on the need to bring emergency responders such as EPD, fire, and Cahoots to a scene. Monitors areas for damage to grounds, equipment and/or facilities. Reports hazardous situations and maintenance needs through a maintenance management system to the appropriate staff. Attends neighborhood and community events to promote knowledge of safety programs and use of public spaces. Conducts minor clean up as needed. Generates maintenance work orders for repairs, as needed. Provides supervisors and managers with necessary information to coordinate follow up on citizen concerns. Identifies ongoing issues or trends related to usage, safety, customer service etc. Provides homeless service agency information as needed to patrons. Actively supports and respects diversity in the workplace. Attends required trainings and classes. May act in capacity of Lead Park Ambassador. Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferrable skills from a variety of sources and experiences. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Experience: High school diploma, or G.E.D. equivalent. Four years' increasingly responsible experience providing customer service with some conflict resolution experience and/or customer service experience occurring in a social service or safety and security role. Some college desired.
• Bilingual speaking preferably in Spanish is desired.
• License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain within 3 months, and maintain DPSST Unarmed Security Professional Certification. Possession of, or ability to obtain, and maintain an appropriate valid Oregon Driver's license. Possession of, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire CPR/AED and First Aid training certificates.

Supplemental Information

Bilingual Pay Benefit: Per the AFSCME contract, the City shall pay an employee an additional 5% for a required intermediate or advanced level competency. To qualify for bilingual pay, the employee must have demonstrated fluency in the required language and successfully pass a fluency examination administered by the City's Employee Resource Center division.

What to Expect from our Selection Process: Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes. In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required. Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment. Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply. The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682-5061. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States.