What are the responsibilities and job description for the Natural Areas Ranger position at City of Fort Collins?
POSITION TITLE: Natural Areas Ranger (Hourly)
REQUISITION #: req8509
DEPARTMENT: Natural Areas
LOCATION: NIX SITE OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly Hourly Employee Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
HOURLY RATE: $28.00 - 32.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 7/6/2026 . 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
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.
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.
To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure
Job Summary
The City of Fort Collins is on watch for a part-time Natural Areas Trail Ranger who will patrol and assist visitors in some of our 52 conserved habitats like prairies, foothills, waterways, and forests. These properties are a treasure to the community. The Natural Areas Trail Ranger provides visitor and staff safety, assistance, and education as well as managing volunteer workers and the BARK (owner and dog volunteer) program.
Under the direction of a supervisory Natural Areas Ranger, this position requires effective communication skills related to conflict resolution and deescalating situations in a professional manner. Situations can engage a variety of people with diverse backgrounds which might include mental health and homeless community members. Subsequently, having former law enforcement, ranger, or military experience is beneficial. The position is temporary. The employee is expected to work 16-20 hours per week and may occasionally work additional hours for holidays with advance notification. Normal working hours will be determined based upon need for staffing, generally 7:30 am – 5:30 pm., two days per week.
This is an hourly position that does not provide sick leave, insurance or retirement benefits.
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
No
City Competencies
Minimum
High School Diploma or GED and or functionally related licenses or certificates
Preferred
College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees
Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Parks and Recreation Management, Wildlife Biology or related field.
Experience Requirements
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
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.
REQUISITION #: req8509
DEPARTMENT: Natural Areas
LOCATION: NIX SITE OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly Hourly Employee Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
HOURLY RATE: $28.00 - 32.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 7/6/2026 . 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
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.
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.
To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure
Job Summary
The City of Fort Collins is on watch for a part-time Natural Areas Trail Ranger who will patrol and assist visitors in some of our 52 conserved habitats like prairies, foothills, waterways, and forests. These properties are a treasure to the community. The Natural Areas Trail Ranger provides visitor and staff safety, assistance, and education as well as managing volunteer workers and the BARK (owner and dog volunteer) program.
Under the direction of a supervisory Natural Areas Ranger, this position requires effective communication skills related to conflict resolution and deescalating situations in a professional manner. Situations can engage a variety of people with diverse backgrounds which might include mental health and homeless community members. Subsequently, having former law enforcement, ranger, or military experience is beneficial. The position is temporary. The employee is expected to work 16-20 hours per week and may occasionally work additional hours for holidays with advance notification. Normal working hours will be determined based upon need for staffing, generally 7:30 am – 5:30 pm., two days per week.
This is an hourly position that does not provide sick leave, insurance or retirement benefits.
- This position requires a sanctioned Special Commission from the Fort Collins Police Department and employment as a Natural Areas Ranger within the previous 12 months from position’s posting date
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 and trails to monitor visitor use and ensure natural resource protection.
- Enforces City municipal code within natural areas, city trails, and other City property. Issues to violators, warnings, citations or summons.
- Implements prevention strategies in natural areas, trails, and city property.
- Responds to and mitigates multi-use conflicts, and uses conflict resolution techniques as needed.
- Coordinates law enforcement activities with other agencies (Larimer County Sheriff, CSU Police) as appropriate.
- Knowledge of ecological ecosystems and human influences.
- Educates visitors on uses, safety, ecological values of natural areas, human impact on wildlife and plant life, etc.
- Conducts visitor use surveys, monitors trail conditions and conducts other surveys, etc.
- Monitors natural areas for wildlife activity and ecological changes, which may lead to changes in management of sites.
- Maintains records of illegal activities and produces incident reports and other general reports as required
- Is required to testify in court in support of citations issued as necessary.
- May assist in investigation of crimes in natural areas and along the trails at the request of local police.
- Has situational recognition of conditions requiring the assistance of an armed law enforcement officer.
- May participate in management planning, policy implementation or coordination of other departmental maintenance projects.
- Ability to participate in prescribed burning and wildfire control as necessary with optional certification.
- Ability to respond to reports of injured visitors and provide medical assistance as needed.
- May speak to various citizen groups explaining the function of the ranger program and how protection of visitors and natural features are accomplished in natural areas.
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.
- 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, both individual and for teamwork.
- Demonstrated commitment to natural area/open space/public lands conservation and management.
- Knowledge and understanding of natural resource management practices and techniques.
- Ability to become knowledgeable of applicable municipal code.
- Skills in public relations and communications.
- Ability to operate specialized communication systems.
- Ability to become knowledgeable and work effectively with Fort Collins and Larimer County law enforcement and emergency services protocols and procedures.
- Prior medical training desirable (CPR, First Aid, First Responder, EMT) desired
- Ability to become certified as a (medical) First Responder or similar certification.
- Knowledge of Search and Rescue Techniques desired.
- Knowledge of visitor impact management assessment tools
- Ability to handle stressful & emergency situations.
- Strong skills with computers, ipads and other technology.
- Knowledge of natural ecosystems and human influences.
- Ability to become knowledgeable of regional, county and state fire, health and safety and animal welfare codes pertinent to natural areas and trails.
Minimum
High School Diploma or GED and or functionally related licenses or certificates
Preferred
College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees
Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Parks and Recreation Management, Wildlife Biology or related field.
Experience Requirements
- 3-6 months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
- Must have and 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 violation, and credit history. 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 Skills Academy within 6 months of hire. Must successfully complete medical first responder training such as Emergency Medical Responder, Wilderness First Responder or similar training with first 12 months after hire.
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.
Salary : $28 - $32