Exam Bulletin - Staff Park and Recreation Specialist

Department of Parks & Recreation

Exam Code: EX-2586

Examination Plans Included:

  • STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST: $7,068.00 - $8,783.00 per Month

View the STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed examination. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation, your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the examination until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

    2586

For STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02586

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00101088 - STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with any major, but preferably in environmental or urban planning, public administration, recreation, park management, or a natural resource-related field. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. And

Either 1


One year of experience performing the duties of an Associate Park and Recreation Specialist.

Or 2

Four years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning, administrative or technical work in connection with the analysis, develop ment and implementation of outdoor recreation plans and programs which has included at least two years in a project leadperson or supervisory capacity. State service experience used to satisfy the general experience requirement must be at a level of responsibility at least equivalent to that obtained in the class of an Associate Park and Recreation Specialist.

Position Description

00101088 - STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST

This level plans, organizes and reviews the work of a small group of Park and Recreation Specialists and other staff working as a unit, usually with responsibility for a major program or segment of the Department's activi ties; personally performs the most difficult and highly sensitive work assigned to the unit.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. General principles and techniques of research and statistical analysis
  2. General concepts and principles of ecology, land use, conservation, and planning, particularly as they related to outdoor recreation and recreational and historical resources
  3. Structure, administrative, and fiscal procedures of the Federal, State, and local governments
  4. Trends in outdoor recreation usage, including social and economic factors
  5. Laws and regulations of various levels of government relating to the funding, acquisition, development, and operation of recreational areas and outdoor recreational programs
  6. Group leadership
  7. Principles of personnel management and supervision
  8. Program development and evaluation techniques
Ability to:
  1. Reason logically and analyze data
  2. Communicate orally and in writing, and prepare reports
  3. Establish and maintain cooperative relations, and deal tactfully with a variety of private and governmental individuals and groups
  4. Creatively solve complex outdoor recreation and related problems
  5. Prepare finished reports with clear, concise recommendations and analyses
  6. Coordinate the work load of others, lead project groups
  7. Interpret and assist in the development of policy
  8. Understand and comply with State administrative procedures
  9. Appreciate and motivate the establishment of group and organizational goals and relationships, to supervise and train subordinate staff
  10. Perform the most difficult, sensitive staff work

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Parks & Recreation

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Staff Park and Recreation Specialist Training and Experience Examination Preview

Instructions:
Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, training, and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Tasks
  1. Assisting in the preparation and/or coordination of environmental analysis documents related to land use, grant applications and other events (e.g., special event permit process, partnership agreements).
  2. Conducting or assisting with presentations at a variety of venues, both in person and virtual, and preparing presentation and other instructional materials.
  3. Managing projects by acting as a point of contact with project staff, management, and/or the public; relaying project status and activities; and seeing the project through its life cycle.
  4. Providing input regarding project agreements/contracts by reviewing project plans and/or writing the plan, agreement and including pertinent project information (e.g., dates, resources, scope, funds) as necessary to ensure all stakeholders adhere to the project parameters.
  5. Preparing a variety of written materials (e.g., plans, recommendations, memos, marketing materials, training materials) and reports (e.g., commission program reports, policy guidance reports).
  6. Participating in the evaluation and administration of, and/or providing technical assistance for grants or partnership agreements.
  7. Participating in the development and improvement of program processes and written materials (e.g., manuals, brochures, forms, report templates, procedures and policies).
  8. Responding to questions, concerns and complaints received from the public, partners, government entities or elected officials regarding recreation areas and services, program activities, and/or grant awards.
  9. Developing solutions to complex work problems and planning procedures related to the program or work unit by researching legislation, policies, rules and regulations, and communicating with staff and/or management to identify the most appropriate course of action.
  10. Collaborating with stakeholders (e.g., the public, project team, private organizations, government entities) on projects/programs and debriefing with staff and/or management where appropriate.
  11. Overseeing contract/agreement compliance with vendors, permit holders, park partners and/or grantees by reviewing for accuracy, thoroughness, professionalism and adherence to program standards.
  12. Assist in the preparation of project/program budgets or other financial documents for local/State/Federal funds.
  13. Leading various individuals or teams by providing guidance, training, or acting as a subject matter expert of a project, program, or agreement.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Parks & Recreation

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Parks & Recreation
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Phone: (916) 902-8674

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Parks & Recreation reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)