The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) Ranger is a challenging and adventurous generalist position offering a wide variety of responsibilities and opportunities to exercise independent judgement while working on Midpen preserves. Rangers serve a unique role as stewards of the open space by regularly interacting with the community to provide visitors information, natural resource education, interpretive services, enforcement of pertinent regulations, and performing limited maintenance and resource management work on Midpen properties and facilities. Rangers patrol on foot, in all-terrain vehicles, on motorcycles, and in four-wheel drive patrol trucks while enforcing Midpen land use regulations and applicable laws. Rangers ensure safe public use of preserves, while also responding to emergency calls including medical aids and wildland fires.
About the Position:
The start date for these positions is early-December 2025. For additional information, see the Ranger Recruit and Ranger specifications on our job description page at OpenSpace.org.
The Ranger Recruit is a training-level position for individuals who do not possess a Ranger Academy certificate or equivalent, and valid PC 832 certificate. Upon commencement of employment, new Ranger Recruits will participate in pre-academy instruction on the duties of a District Ranger, receive orientation to District lands and operations and complete additional required training. Upon completion of pre-academy instruction, new Ranger Recruits will participate in a district approved Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy based out of the South Bay Regional Training Center in San Jose, CA located on Bailey Avenue with the nearest cross street on Santa Teresa Avenue. The 14-week long academy begins in January 2026 and will include the California Penal Code 832 training. Upon successful completion of the academy and the District’s required robust 12-week Field Training Program and final review by the Chief Ranger, a Ranger Recruit may be appointed as a probationary Ranger.
The Ranger is a challenging and adventurous journey level position offering a wide variety of responsibilities and opportunities to exercise independent judgement while working on Midpen preserves. Upon commencement of employment, new Rangers will participate in a robust Field (12-week) Training Program.
About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! Check out the Working for Midpen video on our Employment Opportunities page.