Ranger, Enforcement

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