Park Ranger

About the role

The City of Aurora is seeking dedicated and collaborative individuals to join its team of talented and valued employees. The Park Ranger role provides public safety, natural resource management, and community outreach primarily at sites and facilities assigned to the Open Space and Forestry Division of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department (PROS).

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Supports operations including public safety, natural resource protection, and community outreach at sites and facilities assigned to the Open Space and Forestry Division.
• Enforces city adopted rules and regulations, investigates violations, issues summons, and appears in court.
• Patrols and provides for the security of city assets.
• Supports and/or manages PROS community outreach programs including special events, volunteer service, and interpretive programs.
• Prepares for, responds to, and coordinates emergency response and rescue operations.
• Provides customer service and communicates effectively with members of the public and city personnel.
• Adheres to policies and procedures.
• Completes required financial transactions and record keeping.
• Solves complex problems and conflicts.
• Produces reports, manages files and records.
• Performs routine maintenance operations.
• Aids in the hiring and supervision of contingent employees and volunteers.
• Maintains current knowledge of relevant topics and legislative issues.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Working Conditions

• An associate's degree in natural resource management, natural sciences, parks and recreation management, criminal justice, public administration, business administration, behavioral sciences, or a directly related field.
• At least 1 year of enforcing rules and regulations related to parks, open space, reservoirs, and other natural resources, including experience providing significant support and/or management for successful community outreach programs.
• Preferred qualifications include a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, natural sciences, parks and recreation management, criminal justice, public administration, business administration, behavioral sciences, or a directly related field.
• Knowledge of ecological principles and practices related to natural resources and stewardship of ecosystems, principles and practices of law enforcement related to parks, open space, reservoirs, and other natural resources, and knowledge of effective and efficient community outreach programs such as special events, volunteer work, and/or interpretive program development and management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens, handle sensitive or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy, communicate effectively both orally, graphically, and in writing, analyze problems to provide best options and assistance, establish and fulfill goals and objectives, make effective presentations, strong analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills, skilled using personal computers and related software that includes word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications, operate a variety of equipment and vehicles including trucks, boats, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, etc.
• Preferred certifications include Colorado Driver License with good driving history, Red Cross First Aid & CPR, First Responder OC (pepper spray), Volunteer Management, Certified Interpretive Guide, Emergency Water Safety, Ice Rescue, Defensive Driving.
• Physical demands include heavy physical work requiring ability to lift a maximum of 100 pounds with or without assistance to handle emergency rescue operations, frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without assistance, considerable walking and standing in all types of terrain, frequent performance of activities requiring full range of body movement including bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing, and crawling, ability to swim, considerable hand/eye coordination to operate hand/power tools, power boats, and computer, foot/eye coordination for operating boats, equipment, and vehicles, vision to read reports, documents, manuals, and other written material, effectively communicate with employees and citizens.
• Work environment frequently involves outdoor work with exposure to varying types of weather, dust, noise, and fumes.
• Equipment used includes motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, power boat, and motorized and/or handheld parks maintenance equipment.

Working Conditions

• Essential Personnel: During a local emergency or disaster, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.
• Physical Demands: Heavy physical work requiring ability to lift a maximum of 100 pounds with or without assistance, frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without assistance, considerable walking and standing in all types of terrain, frequent performance of activities requiring full range of body movement including bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing, and crawling, ability to swim, considerable hand/eye coordination to operate hand/power tools, power boats, and computer, foot/eye coordination for operating boats, equipment, and vehicles, vision to read reports, documents, manuals, and other written material, effectively communicate with employees and citizens.
• Work Environment: Frequent outdoor work with exposure to varying types of weather, dust, noise, and fumes.
• Equipment Used: Operates motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, power boat, and motorized and/or handheld parks maintenance equipment.

Additional Information

• The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.
• The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.
• For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
• The City of Aurora is a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
• Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, And Employment References: As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.