Ranger, Enforcement

About the role

The Fort Collins Ranger Team includes positions focused on parks and the paved trail system as well as positions focused on natural areas and unpaved trails. All Rangers conduct daily patrols, support visitor and staff safety, and offer assistance and education.

Responsibilities

• Patrols natural areas, parks and trails to monitor visitor use and ensure natural resource and infrastructure protection.
• Enforces Fort Collins municipal code within natural areas, parks, trails, and other City property.
• Issues warnings or citations to violators.
• Recognizes law enforcement issues requiring the assistance of a Police Officer.
• Responds to and mitigates multi-use conflicts employing conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
• Educates visitors on the reasons behind regulations including safety, protecting the values of parks, trails and natural areas, human impact on wildlife and plant life, etc.
• Collaborates with other agencies (such as Fort Collins Police, Larimer County Sheriff, CSU Police) as appropriate.
• Coordinates emergency response, responds to injured visitors, and provides medical assistance as needed.
• Learns and uses technology such as radios, laptop computer and mobile phone.
• Participates in ongoing training by Fort Collins Police Services and other sources.
• Provides traffic control duties during special events, emergencies, demonstrations, and planned operations by directing vehicle and pedestrian movement, implementing temporary traffic control measures, and coordinating with public safety personnel to ensure public safety and minimize traffic disruptions.
• Maintains records of public contacts, law enforcement actions, and illegal activities.
• Produces police reports, incident reports and other general reports.
• Testifies in court in support of citations issued.
• Affords assistance in investigating crimes in natural areas, parks, and along the trails at the request of local police.
• Implements crime prevention strategies in natural areas, parks, trails, and city property.
• Maintains awareness of natural areas, trails and parks conditions including visitor use patterns, trail conditions, unsafe or damaged infrastructure, wildlife activity and ecological changes.
• Communicates about these site conditions to inform management.
• Prepares and provides safety and public contact training to staff and volunteers.
• May participate in management planning, special events, or other projects.
• May participate in prescribed burning and wildfire control.
• May direct and oversee the work of volunteers.
• May speak to groups about the ranger program or related topics.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• College degree or equivalent work experience
• Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Parks Management, Wildlife Biology or related field
• 3 years in law enforcement-related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Qualifications

Demonstrated commitment to parks, trails or natural area conservation and management.

Knowledge and understanding of natural resource or park management practices and techniques.

Knowledge of ecosystems and human influences.

Skills

• Strong skills in public relations and communications
• Ability to handle stressful and emergency situations
• Ability to become knowledgeable of applicable municipal code
• Ability to become knowledgeable of regional, county, and state fire, health and safety, and animal welfare codes pertinent to natural areas, parks and trails
• Strong skills with specialized communication systems, records management systems, computers, iPad/tablets, and other technology
• Ability to become knowledgeable and work effectively with Fort Collins and Larimer County law enforcement and emergency services protocols and procedures
• Ability to use a variety of equipment and power tools such as a snow plow
• Prior medical training desirable (CPR, First Aid, First Responder, EMT)
• Knowledge of Search and Rescue techniques desired

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children)

Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires

Retirement + company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting

Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both

Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance

Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability

Wellness program, workout facilities

Employee/family onsite health clinic

Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility

Collaborative work environment