Park Ranger - Variable Hour Benefit Eligible

JOB LOCATION 5800 S Powhaton Rd Aurora, Colorado 80016-4284 City of Aurora, Colorado It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision.

Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora? Make a difference in the lives of real people every day Diverse community Competitive total

compensation:

package Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan Light rail station minutes away On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal

education:

al programs to assist with career advancement Access to innovation workspaces PRIMARY DUTIES &

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Reservoir Ranger role provides critical public safety and natural resource management within the City of Aurora’s Open Space and Forestry Division. This position serves as a primary point of contact for the community while ensuring the protection of local ecosystems and city assets. Daily

responsibilities:

include patrolling facilities, conducting boat inspections for aquatic nuisance species, and responding to emergency rescue operations. Ideal candidates possess a background in customer service or natural resources and feel comfortable enforcing city regulations through

education:

and professional communication. Team members manage financial transactions and perform routine maintenance to keep our parks safe and accessible for all visitors. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to maintain calm during stressful situations. This is an essential

opportunity:

for individuals dedicated to environmental stewardship and public service. Join our team to help preserve the beauty and safety of Aurora’s recreational reservoirs. You’ll be working both indoors and outdoors, dealing with varying weather conditions and all types of terrain. This role requires you to enforce rules governing parks and reservoirs, while maintaining a strong focus on customer service.

If this sounds like the perfect place to put your knowledge of ecological principles and law enforcement practices to work, let's talk. We need someone ready to jump in. The deadline to submit applications is Sunday, March 29, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

The hiring rate for this role is $20.00/hour. This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate will work up to 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical, Dental, and Vision

Benefits:

as well as accrue paid time off and receive 11 paid holidays.

• Provides public safety, natural resource management, and community outreach primarily at sites and facilities assigned to the Open Space and Natural Resources Division of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Department.

PRIMARY DUTIES &:

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides for operations including public safety, natural resource protection, and community outreach at sites and facilities assigned to the Open Space and Natural Resources 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.

• Resolves complex problems and conflicts.

Produces reports, manages files and records.

• Performs routine maintenance operations.
• Assists with the hiring and supervision of contingent employees and volunteers.
• Responsible for maintaining current knowledge of relevant topics and legislative issues.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

This job

description:

is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or

responsibilities:

that are required of the employee. Duties,

responsibilities:

, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM:

QUALIFICATIONS:

& WORKING CONDITIONS An equivalent combination of

education:

, training, and

experience:

that demonstrates required knowledge,

skills:

, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in natural resources, natural environment, ecology, criminal justice, or a directly related field.

Experience:

At least one year of

experience:

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. An equivalent combination of

education:

, training and

experience:

that demonstrates required knowledge,

skills:

and abilities may be considered. Licenses and Certifications Required: Colorado Driver’s License with good driving history. Red Cross first aid & CPR, EMT, first responder, OC, special event management, volunteer management, certified interpretive guide, emergency water safety, ice rescue, wild land fire, and defensive driving preferred.

This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

None Knowledge: 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: of effective and efficient community outreach programs such as special events, volunteer, and or interpretive program development and management.

Abilities: 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.

Skills:

Strong analytical, interpersonal, and organizational

skills:

, use of 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. WORKING CONDITIONS Essential Personnel: When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, 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 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. Speech communications and hearing to communicate with employees and citizens. Work Environment: Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, fumes, chemicals, and dust. Equipment Used: Operates motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, power boats, personal computers, and various maintenance equipment.

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 an equal

opportunity:

employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal

Opportunity:

Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains 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. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization.

At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity Respect Professionalism Customer Service And we welcome all who share these values to apply. Why Work for Aurora? Rewarding public sector work impacting a large and diverse community Growing city and employee population Competitive total

compensation:

package Rich

benefits:

package with low employee costs Generous paid leave program 100% funded Employee and Family Care Leave Program Retirement pension plan and 457b plans available Subsidized recreation center pass, on-site fitness centers and wellness programs Continued

education:

and career advancement opportunities Learn more

about:

city of Aurora

benefits:

Please show all your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. Leaving blanks or omitting previous employment may result in your disqualification from employment. City policy requires that selected candidates provide documentation in the form of official transcripts of the highest level of

education:

attained by the candidate that is listed on their application materials. Applicants who hold a Commercial Driver’s License will also be required to undergo alcohol testing using an Evidential Breath Testing Device. The city of Aurora uses E-Verify to determine if employees are legally eligible to work in the United States.

Know your rights! The city of Aurora is an equal

opportunity:

employer. No applicant for employment or employee shall be discriminated against because of age, race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability or military status. The city shall develop and maintain a plan for diversity. Through its staff, the city shall periodically analyze its employment related practices and its plan for diversity to ensure compliance with this policy.

If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation for completing this application, please feel free to contact our office at: 303.739.7225 or visit us at 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Suite 3500, Aurora, CO 80012.