POSITION TITLE: Ranger, Enforcement (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8527
DEPARTMENT: Natural Areas and Forestry
LOCATION: NIX SITE OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) Classified Employee Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $49,991.00 - 74,987.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is
3:00 p.m. MT on 7/31/2026 . At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.
The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.
Post-Offer Requirements
- Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
- Motor vehicle report
- Drug test within 96 hours of offer
- Post Offer Employment Test (P.O.E.T)
While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.
Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?
- Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
- 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
To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure
Job Summary
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. Rangers are Special Commissioned Officers of Fort Collins Police – they have a limited commission and are trained in and carry a baton and OC/pepper spray (unarmed).
Park Ranger positions: Our city includes more than 50 parks, where residents enjoy outdoor activities from playground adventures to recreational sports to family outings. Fort Collins’ paved trails can take you from one end of Fort Collins to the other, along winding creeks and down urban throughfares. Parks and paved trails are managed mostly for recreation.
Natural Area Ranger positions: Locally and regionally there are more than 50 city natural areas and more than 100 miles of unpaved trail. Natural areas span special habitats like prairies, foothills, waterways and forests that are conserved for wildlife and people. Natural area trails are perfect for activities such as hiking, running, biking or horseback riding. Natural Areas are managed for land and water conservation, habitat and ecological resilience, to support access to nature and to foster community connection and stewardship.
Please indicate in your application (your response to the required question) your interest in a parks-focused position, a natural areas-focused position or both.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
- 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.
- Coordinates law enforcement activities 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.
- Assists in investigation of 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.
- Monitors, surveys, and inspects 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.
Management Responsibilities
No
City Competencies
- Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
- A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
- A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities
- 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).
- Ability to become certified as a (medical) First Responder or similar certification.
- Knowledge of Search and Rescue techniques desired.
- 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.
MinimumPreferred
Required Qualifications
High School Diploma or GED
College degree or equivalent work experience. Bachelors degree in Natural Resources Management, Parks Management, Wildlife Biology or related field.
Experience Requirements
- 3 years in law enforcement-related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
- Possession of and ability to maintain a valid driver's license. , Must have and maintain acceptable background information including criminal conviction history, motor vehicle record, wildlife poaching or other natural resource violations. , Must successfully pass Fort Collins Police Services Pre-Employment Interview/Truth Verification Testing. , Must successfully complete Police Service Officer Skills Academy Certification within 6 months of hire including defensive tactics component. , Must successfully complete Ranger Field Training program and Ranger Excellence School within 12 months of hire. , Must successfully complete medical training such as CPR/First Aid, Emergency Medical Responder or similar training within first 12 months after hire. ,
The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.
Ranger, Enforcement
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.
Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.
The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
