Park Ranger

JOB LOCATION

5800 S Powhaton Rd Aurora, Colorado 80016-4284

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

Aurora needs a dedicated soul to watch over our trees and trails. You function as the protective big sibling of the local ecosystem. Rangers act as mobile help desks for the public while patrolling on bikes, trucks, or boats. The role involves enforcing city rules and handling legal paperwork when people forget how to behave. Community outreach programs turn you into a neighborhood ambassador for the great outdoors. Emergency rescues mean your physical strength is just as important as your diplomacy. Cleaning equipment and writing files keeps the gears of the department turning. Working in the rain or heat is just Mother Nature's way of keeping the office interesting. Integrity and customer service define every interaction you have with the city.

Working as a Park Ranger is like being a lighthouse keeper for the forest; you provide a steady hand to guide visitors safely while ensuring the natural beauty of the land remains undisturbed.

The hiring range for this position is: $23.60 - $29.50/hour.

Salary to be commensurate with experience.   

The deadline for submitting applications is Sunday, February 1, 2026. Please note, the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.  

The Park Ranger role provides public safety, natural resource management, and community outreach primarily at sites and facilities assigned to the Open Space and Forestry Division of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department (PROS).

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides support for operations including public safety, natural resource protection, and community outreach at sites and facilities assigned to the Open Space and Forestry 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: 

• Associate’s degree in natural resource management, natural sciences, parks and recreation management, criminal justice, public administration, business administration, behavioral sciences, or a directly related field.

Experience: 

• At least 1 year of 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, natural sciences, parks and recreation management, criminal justice, public administration, business administration, behavioral sciences, or a directly related field.
• Fluent in English and Spanish

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.
• Knowledge of effective and efficient community outreach programs such as special events, volunteer work, 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
• Skilled using 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.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

• Colorado Driver License with good driving history (Required)
• Red Cross First Aid & CPR
• EMT
• First Responder
• OC (pepper spray)
• Volunteer Management
• Certified Interpretive Guide
• Emergency Water Safety
• Ice Rescue
• Defensive Driving

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.
• Effectively communicate with employees and citizens.

Work Environment:

• Frequently works outdoors with exposure to varying types of weather, dust, noise, and fumes.

Equipment Used:

• Operates motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, power boat, and motorized and or handheld parks maintenance equipment.

This role may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

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.