City of Joplin looking to add new park ranger position

Joplin City Council will take up a recommendation to hire a park ranger when it meets 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

The park ranger position, according to council documents, came as a result of "public input and feedback received during the City Manager's Listening Tour."

The park ranger description includes 19 specific duties:

1. Patrols municipal park areas and facilities to prevent and discover vandalism, unruly conduct, and other violations of municipal ordinances. 

2. Observes public gatherings; identifies violators; calls for police backup if involuntary detention or arrest is necessary. 

3. Responds to guest or staff accidents/injuries/complaints and completes all necessary reports to document the incident. 

4. Locks gates, park restrooms and checks windows/doors after facilities close. 

5. Contact emergency personnel (Police/Fire/EMS) when needed. 

6. Develops and maintains good public relations with the public and law enforcement officers. 

7. Reports park maintenance issues or hazardous conditions to park maintenance staff. 

8. Provides general assistance to the public (directions, lost children, lost or loose animals, etc.) 

9. Assists with private/community events (parking, information, trail closures, etc.) 

10. Explains park rules and regulations to public when needed. 

11. Manages all Parks and Recreation security systems, such as: 

a. Portable surveillance cameras 

b. Data storage management 

c. Monitor system outages/repairs 

12. Inspect, monitor, and report illegal camp sites on park property. 

13. Monitor and respond to unlicensed motor vehicles (minibikes, ATV, etc.) 

14. Make sure alcohol is not sold/consumed except where permitted. 

15. Monitors facility and athletic reservations. 

16. Close athletic fields due to cancellations and prohibit use of facilities when closed. 

17. Ensure excessive noise compliance during park hours (park shelters, rental buildings, skate park, etc.). 

18. Ensure animal compliance (dog off-leash) within the park system. 

19. Assists with graffiti prevention

The new position would be paid for through use of the parks and stormwater sales tax, according to the council documentation.

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