About the Department

This seasonal Park Ambassador role ensures the protection and stewardship of city parks and water recreation areas while promoting a safe, enjoyable visitor experience. The position focuses on resource conservation, park interpretation, and visitor education to enhance public engagement and appreciation of natural spaces. Serving as an ambassador for the parks system, this role supports the organization’s mission to preserve resources and foster community connection from May through Labor Day.

Position Duties

Promote safe and enjoyable use of city parks and water recreation areas by monitoring visitor activity and supporting compliance with local regulations and ordinances.
Serve as a knowledgeable and professional point of contact for visitors, providing park information, answering questions, verifying admission tickets, and assisting with directions and reserved area checks.
Educate visitors on park rules and environmental stewardship; escalate compliance issues to City Marshal Department personnel when necessary.
Support resource protection and visitor experience by ensuring permit compliance and reporting maintenance needs for park facilities and structures.
Maintain cleanliness and safety of park areas through litter removal, restroom checks, and hazard reporting; assist with crowd control and traffic flow as directed.
Identify and report unsafe conditions, accidents, and vandalism; complete required documentation including daily logs and incident reports.
Operate communication equipment effectively and participate in specialized training provided by the City.
Perform other related duties as assigned to support park operations and visitor safety.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age.
CPR/First Aid Certification is required, and training will be provided by the City of San Marcos.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bilingual English/Spanish

Other Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of park policies, safety procedures, and local regulations to ensure compliance and visitor safety.
Skill in effective verbal and written communication to provide clear information and address non-compliance professionally.
Skill in teamwork and independent task management, including prioritizing multiple responsibilities in a dynamic environment.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, cooperative relationships with city staff, patrons, and the public.
Ability to promote a safe and welcoming park atmosphere through proactive engagement and education.
Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to unsafe conditions, applying policies and procedures to maintain safety.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires the ability to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally. Job is primarily standing and walking throughout the river parks system. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, vision, hearing and talking frequently; lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, twisting, climbing and balancing occasionally. Park Ambassadors shall be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to assume and competently perform all duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Working conditions involve outdoor work, in the heat, sun, high humidity, rain and wind; occasionally exposed to slippery surfaces and noise around crowds.