Park Ranger
The Role
The public realm service within the Climate Action Department manages parks and open spaces, which range from regional parks to small local parks within residential areas, planning and delivering the recreational facilities therein. The public realm service also contributes to public realm and urban design of the county to make it a more attractive place in which to live, work and visit. It is responsible for the management of the County’s 1,750 hectares of parks and public open spaces (in addition to approximately 75,000 street trees), which include such diverse areas as river valleys, meadowlands, urban and neighbourhood parks. The public parks provide for a wide range of recreational facilities such as playing pitches (including all weather pitches), play-spaces, tennis courts, skate parks, teen-spaces and bowling greens. The management of these spaces requires a balanced consideration of the social and recreational needs of the county and the requirement to protect and enhance nature conservation and biodiversity.
The Park Ranger will work as part of a team that develops the public realm, public parks, and open spaces of South Dublin County, protecting natural and cultural resources, educating the public, and enforcing park regulations to ensure the safety of both visitors and the environment.
The office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. A panel will be formed to fill permanent and temporary vacancies. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area.
Wages €775.65 (minimum) – €812.26 (maximum) per week. This does not include relevant allowances.
Hours of Work The successful candidates’ normal hours of work will be 40 hours per week with seasonal variations. Park Rangers work shift 5 / 7 including weekends. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.
Annual Leave Annual leave entitlement for this position is 30 days.
Qualifications
Character
Candidates will be of good character.
Health
Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Essential Education, Training and Experience
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
Have attained a standard of education not less than second level.
Each candidate must be a competent driver with a full unendorsed driving licence category “B”. The person recommended for the post will be required to submit, when requested, a current full driving licence (not a provisional licence).
Desirable Education, Training and Experience
Have a qualification in Horticulture, Landscaping, Ecology or a related discipline.
Experience dealing with customers in a similar customer-facing outdoor environment.
Key Competencies / Skills
• Motivation and Interest
• Communication and Teamwork
• Awareness of Health and Safety
• Initiative and Problem Solving
• Local government knowledge and understanding
Candidates are requested to give an example of a situation which highlights the behaviour, skills and attitude that underpin effective performance in these areas and which demonstrates their suitability to meet the challenges of this role. Candidates should ensure the example used clearly demonstrates their ability in this area and that the scale and scope of the example given is appropriate to the post and level of the post.
Duties The Park Ranger will carry out all their duties under the immediate direction of the Parks Supervisory staff which will include but are not limited to:
New appointees to the Park Ranger grade will be required to co-operate fully with any review and restructuring of the Public Realm Section, including the Park Ranger service.
Park Rangers will be required to carry out inspections of playgrounds, playspaces, playing pitches, teen spaces, workout areas and all other play equipment on a daily and weekly basis, including the completion of written inspection reports.
Complete and store records of inspections and reports in paper and/or digital formats, as required.
To assist the Management with the development of the park in accordance with agreed objectives.
To ensure the highest standards of customer service; manage visitor pressure; resolve conflicts and compliance with the byelaws for regulations, use and enjoyment of such places; the prevention of injury or damage to persons and property.
Uniform supplied must be worn at all times while on duty. It will be the responsibility of the Park Ranger to maintain the uniform in a neat and clean condition.
Opening and closing parks.
Regulating the use of shelters, pavilions, dressing rooms, public toilets, or other buildings and playing facilities as required.
Organising games and other beneficial activities as required for children, young people and adults using the parks, playgrounds, teen spaces, outdoor workout areas and open spaces.
Keeping parks, including buildings, playgrounds and open spaces clear of all litter, ensuring that full litter bins are promptly emptied and debris removed by cleaning and carrying out litter picking duties.
Park Rangers will visit a number of parks daily as assigned by their Line Manager. If required, the Park Ranger will use a bicycle, e-bike or motor vehicle in the course of their duties as necessary. Park Rangers will be required to comply with the Council’s vehicle driver policy and will complete daily vehicle inspection sheets as required.
If required, to carry and use a telecommunications unit.
Monitor the park and the activities of park users to ensure compliance with the Parks and Open Space Bye Laws and the Bye Laws Prohibiting the Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor in Public Places and any other bye laws the council may put in place to regulate the use of parks and public open spaces.
Issuing on-the-spot fines as a designated officer under Litter Management and the Control of Dogs legislation.
Park Rangers will be required to liaise with An Garda Síochána in relation to any anti-social behaviour they observe in Council parks and open spaces and to report on these matters to Council management.
To liaise with, and foster good relations with, stakeholders including friends of parks groups, on-site leaseholders, local councillors, neighbouring landowners and community groups to resolve issues on the ground wherever possible.
Park Rangers will be required to deal with queries and complaints from park users in the carrying out of their duties.
Giving guided tours to individuals or groups who visit parks and the distribution of relevant information such as leaflets on the parks to the public.
Working with the public who volunteer to assist as a “Voluntary Ranger” in the management of the parks when they join the “Friends of the Park” Scheme or other similar scheme.
Facilitate the Council in future surveys of the parks including the collection of information from the public by means of questionnaires.
Visiting schools and/or communities during normal working hours to advise the students/members of the public about the management of parks and the various facilities.
Work with the Education Officer or any other Officer designated for that purpose.
Undertake any necessary training provided to equip them to carry out their new duties.
Carry out duties in accordance with work schedules as determined from time to time by Management.
Ensure that reasonable care is always taken for the health, safety and welfare of you (the Park Ranger), and others, and to comply with the Council’s policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety.
Carry out inspections on the Council’s park maps, information boards, educational signs and directional signs. If required, Park Rangers are to replace these signs if damaged, absent or outdated.
Park Rangers will be required to take pictures of the parks for social media and promotional purposes and liaise with the SDCC Communications Unit.
Any other duties appropriate to the post, which may be assigned from time to time.
These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.
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