Park Ranger

Employment Type: 0 - Full-time Regular
Pay Range: $55,364.00 - 83,046.00
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Overtime Exempt: N
Elected Office / Department: DEPT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Park Ranger is a highly technical and professional position responsible for all areas of daily operations within the Division of Parks, Trails, and Building Grounds, including the Rueter-Hess property (“Parks”). The primary responsibility of this position is to promote positive experiences and high quality customer service through recreation management and maintenance duties. Learn about our Parks, Trails & Building Grounds HERE.

Generally, the hiring range is $55,364-$69,205 annually. Qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position will be taken into consideration when determining hiring salary.

Douglas County offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision. For a more detailed overview please view the full Employee Benefit Guide.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive.)

• Supports the administration and operations of recreation on properties operated and managed by Parks.
• Performs customer service functions such as checking in reservations and inspecting watercraft for aquatic nuisance species.
• Provide for public safety through emergency response to natural or man-made disasters and medical incidents on Parks properties and other locations as requested.
• Assist law enforcement and other governmental agencies with mutual aid as requested.
• Prepares for and responds to emergency situations and rescue operations.
• Interacts effectively with the public by greeting visitors, explaining park rules and regulations, providing directions, and handling public inquiries and complaints.
• Resolves visitor complaints and takes public suggestions to provide a quality experience.
• Controls public access by unlocking and securing gates, providing parking control, and checking park use reservations and permits.
• Patrol properties, facilities, trails, picnic areas, pavilions, and similar park areas (via foot, bicycle, motorized vehicle, and boat) to promote public safety and ensure proper use of the property.
• Enforces rules and regulations, investigates violations, issues citations, and appears in court.
• Supports community engagement programs, including special events and volunteer opportunities.
• Attends job related meetings, training sessions, and conferences.
• Prepares various technical documents, reports, and presentations, including but not limited to visitation statistics, volunteer statistics, and law enforcement case and incident reports.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute projects.
• Provides general clean up and maintenance of all properties managed by Parks.
• Performs routine maintenance and operation of equipment.
• Seasonally clear snow with a shovel or equipment.
• Ability to perform strenuous labor for the entirety of the assigned shift.
• Performs various administrative functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Performs work under general supervision.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Does not directly supervise other employees. May provide guidance and training to staff, as required.

INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT: The ability to use experience and knowledge to make appropriate decisions. Work is generally performed independently within general guidelines, requiring a high degree of innovation, proper judgment, and discretion.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Bachelor's degree in recreation management, natural resources, recreation, wildlife biology, public safety, or a related field is preferred.
• Two (2) years of experience in park ranger, recreation management, emergency services, search and rescue, or related experience is required.
• Law enforcement (limited commission or similar) experience preferred.
• A combination of education, experience, and certifications may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge:

• Demonstrate strong customer service skills and establish, maintain, and foster positive and productive working relationships.
• Follow occupational hazards and related safety precautions.
• Methods and techniques of maintaining public safety for recreation.
• Knowledge of various types of wildlife, including poisonous snakes, bears, mountain lions, and other potentially dangerous animals.

Skills:

• Microsoft Office Suite, upload and manage data, ArcGIS, cloud-based services, GPS devices, and a cellular phone.
• Analyze, interpret, and implement legal, scientific, and technical journals, documents, reports, and statutes.
• Proper use of the English language, correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling when communicating verbally and in writing.

Abilities:

• Communicate orally and in written form with professionalism and accuracy.
• Apply common sense understanding to interpret and carry out a variety of instructions in written, verbal, or diagram form.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, staff, elected boards, other departments, agencies, and the public.
• Present information clearly, concisely, and accurately in verbal, written, and visual formats.
• Organize work, follow priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Remain calm during stressful situations and emergencies.
• Recognize limits of authority and operate within those limits.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS:

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License upon hire, with complying insurance. A review of motor vehicle records is required at the time of hire and periodically throughout employment.
• First Aid and CPR/ AED certifications within 30 days of hire.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Work Environment: Work is generally performed outdoors in various weather conditions and in a typical office environment. This position is classified as essential and requires the incumbent to remain available via mobile cellular device/email during and after typically scheduled business hours. Work is often performed in potentially dangerous situations involving criminal acts, problems or dangerous wildlife, and fire and medical emergencies. The incumbent will work irregular hours, evenings, weekends, holidays, and in inclement or hazardous weather.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to perform strenuous labor for up to 8 hours a day.
  Incumbents must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance and/or the use of proper equipment.
  Frequently must walk or bike over uneven, rough terrain, either pushing, pulling, or carrying equipment for long distances.
  Be able to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, climb and descend ladders, and inspect work sites.
  Exposure to chemicals, mechanical and electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.
  Requires fine motor dexterity to adjust and maintain power equipment.
  Operate a variety of tools, equipment, and motor vehicles.
  Requires the ability to assist injured visitors.
  Equipment and Materials Directly Used:
  Operate a variety of county vehicles.
  Power tools, some law enforcement equipment, ladders, hand tools, and similar.
  Typical office equipment such as computer, phone, fax/copy machine.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Closing Date: 11/8/2024 5:59PM MST. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

The job details outlined in this posting may represent a modified summary of the full job description. For a full copy of the job description CLICK HERE to view our job classifications.

In the event of an emergency/disaster in or near the County, all County employees are expected to make every effort to be available to assist the County Manager, Elected/Appointed Officials and Department Directors to ensure the continued operation of any and all necessary County functions. This may mean being available to perform additional duties and hours beyond what is normally required. In the event that an exempt employee does work more than 40 hours a week in support of County operations during an emergency, such employee may receive overtime or other appropriate wage compensation in accordance with existing County policies or at the discretion of the County.