Park Ranger, Visitor Safety Specialist

Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department is seeking to hire a Park Ranger, Visitor Safety Specialist. 

Join Boulder County’s resource protection team and be part of protecting incredible open spaces while supporting safe, welcoming experiences for all visitors. Whether you are patrolling world-class trails, engaging visitors in outdoor adventures, or collaborating with passionate colleagues, every day will be both meaningful and rewarding.

The Resource Park Ranger, Visitor Safety Specialist is responsible for resource protection and management of Boulder County parks, open space lands, and trails including the coordination of programs that enhance park visitor and trailhead safety. This position will work closely with ranger supervisors to ensure that park rangers are trained and equipped to respond to a variety of emergencies including medical calls and search and rescue operations. Duties also include planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of a variety of resource protection functions including law enforcement, public safety, volunteer management, and community outreach.

This is a full-time, benefited position that will work four 10-hour days with evenings, weekends, and holidays required. This position will work out of 5201 St. Vrain Road, Longmont, Colorado. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is non-exempt (eligible for overtime). 

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

Hiring Salary Range: $72,360.00 - $88,284.00 Annually

Tentative Hiring Timeline:

• Phone Screening: Week of October 20th
• First Round Interviews: Week of October 27th
• Second Round Interviews: Week of November 3rd
• Reference Check: Week of November 3rd

New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month (Must not have been employed at Boulder County during the 12 months prior to re-hire date to qualify). Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions.

Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information.

Visitor, Staff, and Trailhead Safety Coordination:

1. Coordinate, implement, and evaluate emergency medical training programs for park rangers, county staff, volunteers, youth, and underrepresented communities
2. Work with staff to develop, plan, coordinate and lead a variety of outdoor safety programs for park visitors at trailheads and community events
3. Develop and lead volunteer programs and projects related to resource protection goals and outdoor safety; coordinate, train and supervise volunteers as directed
4. Assist in the development of written materials including digital/social media to educate and inform park visitors about trail safety and emergency operations; monitor and evaluate effectiveness
5. Provide input on work group and departmental safety programs, park signage, and other safety related initiatives

1. Perform foot, bicycle and vehicle patrol to enforce open space rules and regulations; protect natural and cultural resources; and maintain public safety
2. Respond to and assist with emergencies on open space lands
3. Provide visitor education, outreach and/or ticketing when appropriate
4. Complete minor park maintenance and assist other staff with projects as requested
5. Conduct backcountry and boundary patrols on mountain properties and agricultural lands
6. Conduct patrols on regional and neighborhood trails
7. Perform additional related work as required

1. Serve as a resource protection specialist by contributing park law enforcement expertise to department/division plans, projects, committees, and other work groups
2. Participate in resource monitoring and research programs as requested
3. Plan, develop and implement park law enforcement projects and directed patrols as needed
4. Maintain detailed logs of activities, patrols, and visitor contacts
5. Coordinate management activities with adjacent land management and law enforcement agencies including Boulder County Sheriffs Office; City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks; and United States Forest Service
6. Purchase and maintain outdoor and safety-related gear for resource protection programs including first aid kits, AEDs, and portable oxygen; keep detailed inventories and safety records as needed
7. Complete assigned projects, activities, paperwork and other duties in a timely manner
8. Maintain assigned equipment including patrol vehicle, specialized law enforcement equipment, uniforms, and tools
9. Participate in and provide specialized enforcement and emergency response training as required
10. Pursue training and development consistent with work group goals and needs

1. Complete, at a minimum, the “moderate level” designation of the Work Capacity Test (Red Card) as defined by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group annually
2. Participate quarterly in physically active training programs including defensive tactics
3. Performs related work, as required
   
4. May be reassigned during emergency situations

PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of 6 (six) years of combined education and experience in a related field.

Additional related education may count towards required experience.

DRIVER'S LICENSE:

• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record
• For more information regarding a clean driving record, please click here.

BACKGROUND CHECK & FINGERPRINTING:

• A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation with fingerprinting

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must possess Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certification or equivalent acceptable certification, or the ability to complete certification within 1 (one) year of employment
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification or ability to complete certification within 2 (two) years of employment
• Park Rangers are required to wear and maintain a uniform

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL:

• Candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment physical

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
  • Additional compensation will be provided based on the use of bilingual skills. 
• Experience with park rangers, park visitors, youth, underrepresented communities, and/or the development and implementation of outdoor safety programs
  
• Associate's degree in outdoor recreation, resource management, park management, environmental education, park ranger technology, or a related field of study
• 2 (two) years experience working in park law enforcement, emergency incident response, outdoor education, and/or recreation management
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) instructor certification, or equivalent
• National Association of Interpretation Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) certification or equivalent coursework
• Wildland Fire Incident Qualification Card (Red Card) including completion of S-130/190 Basic Firefighting and Wildland Fire Behavior course work
• Experience managing, supervising and coordinating volunteer work projects and/or on-going volunteer programs

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of ecological principles and resource management techniques
• Skills in organization and time management
• Project planning skills and the ability to work independently
• Ability to work effectively with the public, county employees and other agencies
• Ability to work with a variety of people from different socio-economic backgrounds
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Occasionally lifts and carries 50 lbs. at least 500 feet
  
• Frequently completes 5 miles of foot patrol or 10 miles of bike patrol
• Occasionally responds to emergencies in remote locations with limited or no vehicle access
• Frequently sits in one position while driving; including head, neck, arm, and leg movements associated with driving
• Frequently reaches, turns, climbs, bends, squats, stoops, kneels, and crawls during routine inspection or patrol
• Frequently operates machines, tools and equipment in unpredictable outdoor environments
• Frequently lifts up to 30 lbs. and carries up to 50 feet
• Occasionally lifts up to 30 lbs. from floor to knuckle
• Frequently lifts up to 20 lbs. from shoulder to overhead
• Occasionally pushes and pulls items weighing up to 100 lbs.
• Occasionally performs bi-lateral lift of 30 lbs. and carries up to 50 ft.
• Frequently lifts up to 35 lbs. from waist level and lowers to floor
• Frequently bends at waist, squats, kneels, shovels, and rakes
• Occasionally climbs ladder; must be able to stand and balance on ladder
• Occasionally walks over uneven terrain

Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.