Park Ranger

Park Ranger

Employment Type: 0 - Full-time Regular
Pay Range: $51,608.00 - 77,412.00
Location: Parker, CO
Overtime Exempt: N
Elected Office / Department: DEPT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Park Ranger is a highly technical position responsible for all areas of daily operations. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide recreation management, resource protection, and public safety of the reservoir, trails, and property.

Generally, the hiring range is $51,608-$64,510 annually. Qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position will be taken into consideration when determining hiring salary.

The typical work schedule is Friday through Monday.

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.)

• Assists with supporting recreation.
• Ensures public safety.
• Protects the water quality and natural resources.
• Supports community engagement programs, including special events and volunteer opportunities.
• Interacts effectively with the public by greeting visitors, explaining park rules and regulations, providing directions, and handling public inquiries and complaints.
• Investigates and resolve visitor complaints and take public suggestions to provide quality experience.
• Controls public access by unlocking and securing gates, providing parking control, checking park use reservations, recreation equipment rentals, and permits.
• Patrols and monitors the reservoir, trails, docks, picnic areas, pavilions, and similar park areas (via foot, bicycle, motorized vehicle, and boat) to promote public safety and ensure proper use of recreation assets.
• Enforces rules and regulations, investigates violations, issues citations, and appears in court.
• Prepares for, responds to, and coordinates emergency response and rescue operations.
• Performs routine maintenance operations such as maintaining trails, docks, other park assets, picking up trash and emptying trash cans.
• 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.
• Supports the recruiting, hiring, and training process of volunteers.
• Performs various administrative functions, including but not limited to file management, record keeping, and financial management.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT: 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 is required.
• Bachelor's degree in recreation management, natural resources, recreation, wildlife biology, public safety, or a related field is preferred.
• Three (3) 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:

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

Skills:

• Be able to operate a computer with Microsoft Office software (Access, Excel including Word, Visio, PowerPoint), 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.
• Ability to hike, ride a bicycle over rough or uneven terrain for long periods of time.

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate orally and in written form with professionalism and accuracy. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, staff, elected boards, other departments, agencies, and the public.
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• The ability to present information clearly, concisely, and accurately in verbal, written, and visual formats.
• Organize work, follow priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments. Apply common sense understanding to interpret and carry out a variety of instructions in written, verbal, or diagram form.
• Requires the ability to remain calm during stressful situations and emergencies.
• The ability to 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.
• The ability to obtain the following within one year of employment, as deemed necessary by the supervisor:
  
  • International Police Mountain Bike Association Certification
  • ATV Safety Institute Certification
  • Lifeguard Certification
  • Law Enforcement Boat Patrol Operation

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Work Environment: Work is generally performed in an typical office environment and outdoors in various weather conditions. This position 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, problem or dangerous wildlife, and fire and medical emergencies. Must be able to work irregular hours, evenings, weekends, holidays, and inclement or hazardous weather.

Physical Demands:

• Incumbents must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance and/or the use of proper equipment.
• Requires the ability to assist injured visitors.
• Must be able to hike, bike, or drive for long distances over rough terrain.
• Requires fine motor dexterity to adjust and maintain power equipment.
• Frequently must walk over uneven, rough terrain, either pushing, pulling, or carrying equipment.
• Climb and descend ladders.
• Operate a variety of tools, equipment, and motor vehicles.
• Requires agility to maneuver rough terrain.
• Be able to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and inspect work sites.
• Exposure to chemicals, mechanical and electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes as present on a ranch-type environment; and
• Ability to perform strenuous labor for up to 8 hours a day. Must have strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work.

Equipment and Materials Directly Used: Typical office equipment such as computer, phone, fax/copy machine. May operate a county vehicle. Power tools, some law enforcement equipment, ladders, hand tools, and similar.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This position is open until filled, review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

The job details outlined in this posting represent a modified summary of the full job description. A full copy of the job description may be requested by emailing HumanResources@douglas.co.us.

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.