Park Ranger

Role overview

City of Melbourne is seeking a full-time permanent Park Ranger to represent Melbourne’s parks and open spaces in a visible, community-facing role. This position plays a key part in protecting public spaces, supporting positive park use, and delivering everyday service to people who live, work, visit, and spend time in the city. The advertised pay is $87,550 to $98,541 plus 12% superannuation.

About the role

Park Rangers sit at the front line of customer service across the City of Melbourne’s open spaces. The role combines public engagement, education, monitoring, and enforcement to help maintain safe, welcoming, and well-managed parks. Rangers regularly patrol assigned areas, observe conditions and activities, report issues, and respond appropriately to unsafe, unlawful, undesirable, or illegal behaviour.

The position also carries a regulatory function. The successful candidate will act as an Authorised Officer of Council, enforce regulations, and issue infringement notices where required. Park Rangers work across all open-space areas and are provided with a vehicle during work hours only. Work is arranged through a roster developed in consultation with the ranger team, and the job involves a significant amount of weekend work and hours outside standard business times.

Key duties

• Provide a strong on-site presence in parks and open spaces.
• Promote positive park use through education and enforcement activities.
• Monitor public safety standards and safeguard park assets.
• Carry out scheduled patrols and assess conditions across open-space areas.
• Take action on unsafe, unlawful, undesirable, or illegal behaviour when necessary.
• Serve as an Authorised Officer and issue infringement notices as required.
• Prepare status reports and written correspondence.
• Conduct public tours and group presentations when needed.

What you need to bring

Applicants should bring a combination of open-space knowledge, strong public-facing experience, and confident communication skills. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in demanding frontline situations, including interactions with difficult or aggressive members of the public. Experience or qualifications in horticulture, natural resource management, or a closely related field are valued.

Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills are essential, along with the ability to produce clear written reports and correspondence. The role also requires a candidate who demonstrates the City of Melbourne’s values and contributes positively to workplace culture.

About City of Melbourne

City of Melbourne is a purpose-driven organisation supporting one of the world’s most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities. The organisation works in partnership with the community to shape a vibrant and sustainable future for Melbourne. The city acknowledges the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.

Team members are part of a collaborative, forward-thinking environment with a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Benefits and workplace support

• Competitive pay with additional allowances and a range of employee benefits.
• Flexible working options, study support, and corporate discounts.
• Up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, with no waiting period, plus government-funded parental leave.
• Career development support and opportunities to build new skills.
• Work-life balance options, including alternative working arrangements, ADO options, flexible hours, and hybrid office or work-from-home arrangements where applicable.
• A collaborative team environment focused on shaping the future of Melbourne.

How to apply

Applicants must submit an updated resume and a cover letter explaining their interest in the role and how their experience, skills, and qualifications align with the selection criteria. The cover letter should be addressed to John Messfeldt, Coordinator Park Rangers.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 12 July 2026 at 11:45 PM. Applications must be lodged online, and email applications cannot be accepted. The organisation may close the role earlier if a suitable candidate is identified, so early submission is encouraged.

Important information

City of Melbourne is a child safe organisation with zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees complete safety screening, including a Police Check and, for most roles, a Working with Children Check.

The organisation encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process for applicants who need support.

Further information

For more details, applicants should refer to the position description or contact John Messfeldt for additional information.