Downtown Ambassador / Park Ambassador Wanted (Ventura)

Make a difference! Be part of our highly visible team who help make Downtown Ventura a great place to live, work, shop, and be entertained. We have an opening for a full-time Park Ambassador position. As a Park Ambassador you will provide a positive and welcoming face, help deter unwanted behaviors and ensure our public spaces are safe, clean and welcoming to all. You will be fully trained and will work closely with a dedicated team. We also work closely with law enforcement. Uniform provided. Must be able to ride a bike for up to 7hrs/shift and be comfortable outside for long periods. A great attitude and appreciation for our historic Downtown preferred. POSITION: Downtown Ventura Park Ambassador CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt - Full Time Position: Full time - (Sun & Mon: 1pm-9:30pm) (Tue & Wed: Off) (Thu: 8am-4:30pm) (Fri & Sat: 2pm-10:30pm) REPORTS TO: Team Leader, Operations Manager, & Executive Director JOB SUMMARY: Provide a high level of visibility in Mission, Plaza, and Kellogg Parks and other District areas to serve as a visible deterrent, report illegal and unwanted activity, and ensure the parks are clean, safe and welcoming for all users. Ambassadors also will address low-level quality of life crimes, while providing customer service to those who live, work or visit the area. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  SERVING AS A DETERRENT – patrol on foot and/or bike through assigned park to deter unwanted activity through uniformed visible presence. Uniform to include radio, smart phone with camera, and text/email functionality.  OBSERVE AND REPORT – while on patrol be watchful for unwanted behaviors or criminal activity and report to local authorities via established communication methods. Must be able to articulate an accurate description of persons, vehicles, and other similar identifiers.  ADDRESS UNWANTED ACTIVITIES – Park Ambassadors will firmly and courteously request compliance to persons violating low-level quality of life crimes, such as open containers, aggressive panhandling, non-aggressive panhandling, loitering, disruptive behavior, etc.  HOSPITALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE – While on patrol will go out of the way to actively acknowledge park users with a friendly greeting or identify visitors in order to provide directions, information, city information, or recommendations. Ambassadors will help keep parks clean, and serve as restroom monitor to make sure all park users have a clean and safe experience.  STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS – Ambassadors will be responsible for making regular contact with Public Works staff, VPD Patrol Task Force, Parks staff, Homeless 2 Home case workers, as well as visits, as needed, to adjacent District businesses to share information and make professional contacts on behalf of DVP.  REPORTING – must be able to develop written Incident Reports. As well, Ambassadors must provide a daily written report to document shift activities.  PROFESSIONALISM – Must maintain a positive, professional environment in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and overall DVP standards of expected professionalism. REQUIREMENTS:  PHYSICAL ABILITIES – o Must have the physical capacity to walk/ride a bike continuously during an eight hour shift, with normal breaks (two 15 minutes, and one 30 minute meal break). o Must be able to work outdoors in all conditions with provided inclement weather gear.  COMMUNICATION – Must be able to speak, read, and write the English language in order to create thorough reports. COMPENSATION  HEALTH/DENTAL  HOLIDAYS – 7 paid (3 are off and 4 you're required to work if scheduled)  VACATION – one week after one year of service, two weeks of paid vacation starting your 3rd year of service  401K - Available DVP is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.