Park Steward at Bend Metro and Park Recreation District – Bend, Oregon

Benefit type: Full-time Non-exempt, Benefited

Benefits available: For a full description of our benefits, please click here

About the job:

Our Park Stewards serve as a positive presence in parks, trails, and district facilities by providing assistance, information and education to visitors, and promoting compliance with park rules and regulations to the public.

A Day in the Life:

• Educates the public on City of Bend’s Ordinances and District park rules and regulations in an effort to encourage compliance and safety.
• Respond to staff and patron requests/calls for information, assistance, or complaints
• Enforces park rules, issues exclusions as appropriate.
• Administers first aid as needed
• Provides the public with information about the District’s parks, trails and facilities.
• Assists at public outreach and educational events in the District’s parks.
• Monitors off-leash dogs on trails and in parks, encourages owners to follow the leash law and educates on District dog rules. Informs dog owners about the locations of District off-leash areas.
• Encourages river users to be safe by following the rules of the river and the white-water park.
• Enforces restroom use and open hours of parks and trails
• Works in conjunction with private security company for monitoring park issues.
• Observes and assesses park rule violations; educates individuals; diffuses and encourages compliance. Notifies Park Steward Manager or contract security officer of repeat park rule violators.
• Administers and delivers exclusion forms or written warnings with assistance from private security company or Bend Police as needed.
• Recommends and coordinates exclusions with appropriate law enforcement agency; assists courts with information as needed to exclude or prosecute violators; issues exclusions to violators; maintains exclusion records; disseminates exclusion information to all staff.
• Provides leadership and training to Assistant Park Stewards, including monitoring performance and providing feedback.
• Coordinates the Lost and Found program per district procedures.
• Reports hazardous situations and maintenance needs to managers and supervisory staff.
• Conducts administrative duties including developing monthly reports on park activities and incidents; prepares reports for police.
• Works closely with a variety of groups including law enforcement, homeless outreach providers, maintenance staff, events and rentals etc.
• Develop/coordinate relationships with other agencies and businesses as needed.
• Minor vandalism removal and occasional light custodial duties.
• Generates maintenance work orders for repairs as needed.
• Maintains equipment in clean safe condition, operates equipment safely at all times.
• Promotes safe conditions in all park facilities.
• Acts as a Mandatory Reporter; reports incidents of child abuse/neglect.
• Performs other job-duties as assigned.

Schedule

April-September Wednesday-Saturday 7:30am-6:00pm (4 ten-hour shifts)

October-March Wednesday-Saturday 6:30am-5:00pm (4 ten-hour shifts)

What you'll need for success:
Strong Knowledge of:

• The District’s park rules and regulations;
• City and County rules and regulations;
• Public safety and emergency response protocols;
• Decision making in emergency situations especially with high risk individual; and
• Some basic maintenance experience including use of hand tools.

Skill and Ability to:

• Effectively understand and follow oral and written direction;
• Effectively communicate with others and the public, verbally and in writing, including by phone, e-mail, or in person;
• Effectively exercise initiative and good judgment;
• Develop and deliver public presentations and/or education programs;
• Identify occupational hazards and use safety precautions;
• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and respectful working relationships with all contacts;
• Address rule violations, and diffuse difficult situations with the public in a positive, diplomatic and respectful manner;
• Prepare a variety of reports including incidents, police reports, and basic behavior statistics in Excel;
• Proficiently operate computers as well as keep current on new computer programs, applications, and upgrades;
• Working independently when needed with minimum direction, while also working as part of a team. Work with confidential information and maintain confidentiality;
• Effectively work under pressure with multiple priorities and dealing with a wide variety of people; and
• Work independently while also able to work cooperatively with others.

What we're looking for:

Education, Experience, and Training:

1. Associates degree or equivalent two years of college coursework; AND
2. Three (3) years of experience in law enforcement, security services, public safety; OR
3. Any satisfactory combination of education, experience and training.

License and Certifications:

1. Possession of, or ability to obtain valid Oregon driver’s license within 30 days with an acceptable driving history as defined by district driving policy.
2. Possession of, or ability to obtain within six months of hire, a valid CPR certification.

Supervision Received:

Works under the general supervision of a Manager. Follows standard processes and procedures without supervision but confirms changes to standard practices and significant decisions in advance.

Supervision Exercised:

Limited direction and leadership is exercised over the Assistant Steward, which may include directing and assigning work and training. May provide guidance and consultation to District staff and volunteers.

Working conditions:

The following are working conditions, including environmental and physical demands, required for this classification.

• Work is performed primarily outdoors in a variety of conditions; may be exposed to excessive temperatures and inclement weather.
• As needed, time may be spent sitting in an office, at a desk or at a computer terminal with exposure to typical office noises and interruptions.
• Traverse uneven terrain, daily standing, walking and sitting for prolong periods of time.
• Occasional lifting, moving, dragging, pushing and carrying heavy objects (up to 50 pounds unassisted).
• Occasional crouching, crawling, bending, kneeling, climbing or balancing.
• Daily operation of a motor vehicle on public roadways.
• Work schedule is subject to change and includes weekends and some holidays.

Selection Process:

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. An offer of employment is contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by Bend Park & Recreation District policies, including a background check and a driving history review when driving is required for position.

Veteran Preference Status

Under Oregon law, veterans who meet minimum qualifications for a position may be eligible for employment preference. To qualify for veterans’ preference, you must submit required documentation prior to the closing date of the recruitment. Veterans’ preference cannot be awarded without required documentation. Beginning January 1, 2026, certain preferences will also apply to current and former members of the Oregon National Guard. For more information on if you qualify for veterans’ preference visit https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/veterans-preference.aspx

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Bend Park and Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Bend Park & Recreation District Core Competencies:

All positions with Bend Park and Recreation District are subject to district and position competencies. Below is a list of the most critical competencies for this position. Additional competencies are required for the position and may change based on district needs. A complete list of the competencies is available from Human Resources.