PARK SERGEANT

Park Sergeant

Req:                 51262

Position #:      22092060

Salary:             $61,523

Grade:             LES04

Location:        SW Arkansas (C Company)

Closing date:  07/24/25

Job Duties:  Lead and manage regional law enforcement operations across multiple state parks within an assigned region. Ensure regional adherence to all Arkansas State Parks law enforcement policies, procedures, and safety regulations. Direct law enforcement activities during critical incidents, special events, or coordinated enforcement operations. Serve as the regional incident commander during emergencies, natural disasters, or large-scale investigations. Monitor and assess safety risks, criminal activity, and enforcement needs within the region to develop action plans, which include resource deployment. Manage regional reports, documentation, budget planning, equipment inventory, and resource allocation. Collaborate with the Park Lieutenant Colonel and other Majors to ensure consistency and efficiency across the state. Oversee regional training compliance, firearms qualifications, and readiness for emergency deployment. Supervises staff by interviewing, recommending staff for hire/fire, assigning and reviewing work, counseling, and evaluating the performance of incumbents.  Handle employee relations issues and participate in disciplinary proceedings when necessary. Respond professionally to complaints, concerns, or inquiries related to park law enforcement operations. Preform administrative support by approving leave, training, assigned duties, schedules, and performance evaluations. Serve as a committee chair over one of the emergency services teams. Serve as a law enforcement instructor and field training officer for the department. Duties include patrolling for possible thefts, illegal hunting and vandalism and other violations, making physical arrests, testifying in court, assisting local agencies, and administering first aid. Enforce Arkansas’s traffic and criminal statutes, and park-specific rules or park directives, and regulations, including applicable Arkansas Game and Fish laws. This includes making arrests and issuing warnings and/or citations as needed.

KAS: Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide, motivate, and manage law enforcement teams in a high-accountability environment. Conflict resolution and decision-making skills in fast-paced and dynamic settings. Clear, concise verbal and written communication skills for reports, presentations, and stakeholder interactions. Ability to coordinate effectively with internal departments, local law enforcement, and emergency services. High ethical standards and professional integrity in all decision-making. Strong situational awareness and the ability to exercise sound judgment under pressure. Proactive leadership in emergency or unpredictable situations. Ability to adapt to evolving enforcement needs and organizational changes. Ability to mentor and teach law enforcement aspects to rangers in training and other law enforcement rangers.

Minimum Qualifications:  At least four years of experience in law enforcement, including at least two years in a leadership capacity. This position is subject to 24-hour calls, must be able to traverse rough terrain, work a varied shift including weekends, evenings, and holidays, work in inclement weather and carry a firearm while on duty.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in park management, outdoor recreation, criminal justice, criminology, or related field; or two years of college coursework; plus, two years of experience in a natural resources field. Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the ADPHT Committee for LEO Policy and Procedures. 
• All applicants must be able to pass a full background to meet the Commission of Law Enforcements Standards and Training requirements.
• All applicants must have or immediately be able to obtain an CLEST certification of Law Enforcement Instructor.
• Must have or be able to complete the Arkansas law enforcement certification training in accordance with ACA12-9-106.

All ADPHT Uniformed Law Enforcement positions are designated as Safety Sensitive Positions and are subject to random drug testing pursuant to the Secretarial Directive governing Personnel Drug Testing. Medical marijuana usage, as defined in Amendment 93 of the Arkansas Constitution, prohibits Personnel in a Safety-Sensitive Position from the use of medical marijuana even if they are qualifying patient under the amendment and/or hold a registry identification card. Department Personnel are prohibited from the use or possession of a medicinal marijuana card pursuant to this policy and state law.

EOE/AA/ADA Women and minorities encouraged to apply. 

Applications accepted online only: https://arcareers.arkansas.gov

Please visit us on the web at https://adpht.arkansas.gov to find out more about us.

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism has three major divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism. Arkansas State Parks manages 52 state parks and promotes Arkansas as a tourist destination for people around the country. Arkansas Heritage preserves and promotes Arkansas’s natural and cultural history and heritage through four historic museums and four cultural preservation agencies. Arkansas Tourism improves the state’s economy by generating travel and enhancing the image of the state.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.