VHBE Park Ranger

JOB LOCATION

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 educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hey there, future Park Ranger!

We are looking for the next Park Ranger to join the Open Space and Natural Resources team. If you see the Aurora Reservoir not just as a body of water, but as a living, breathing ecosystem; a magnificent, sometimes rowdy garden, then this role might be your calling.

We need someone who can step in as the guardian of this space, providing public safety and protecting our resources. You are the ultimate multitasker, essentially the star, director, and stage manager of our natural environment.

This job is much more than wearing a cool uniform. You are our first line of defense against chaos and litterbugs. You act as the ecosystem's personal bodyguard. We need you to jump in, sometimes literally (you must be able to swim), to coordinate emergency response and rescue operations. If things get heavy, you need the physical ability to lift a maximum of 100 pounds during those rescues.

You will also be our community champion, supporting outreach programs and special events. Occasionally, you might encounter people who decide that rules are merely suggestions. When that happens, you need to be the human equivalent of a calming chill pill, handling stressful situations with tact and diplomacy, even when you have to investigate violations and issue a summons. You’ll use your ability to analyze problems to find the best solutions for citizens and employees.

You’ll be working both indoors and outdoors, dealing with varying weather conditions and all types of terrain. This role requires you to know how to enforce rules related to parks and reservoirs, all while keeping 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 November 2,, 2025. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to 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.

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.