Ranger I

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Performs pro-active patrol by foot, vehicle, and other approved means on OSMP trails and properties as a Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) certified Ranger. 

• Contacts OSMP visitors for law enforcement, educational or medical purposes to ensure visitor safety and resource protection. 

• Enforces state and local laws including issuing summons and warnings. Takes appropriate action to protect lives, property, and natural resources. 

• Interacts with the public to provide information and prepares educational programming on natural history, management actions and policies, and visitor opportunities. 

• Conducts back country hiking patrols, including wildlife closure areas and climbing areas. 

• Monitors emergency communication center radio traffic and responds appropriately to calls for service including medical, search and rescue, fire, and investigations of law enforcement violations and general complaints. 

• Coordinates interagency parks law enforcement issues, including liaison with the police and sheriff's department along with the city and district attorney's offices. 

• Maintains daily patrol logs through Ranger technology applications.

• Prepares thorough written reports and follows all laws regulating body worn camera video and data collection involved in law enforcement contacts. 

• Maintains confidentiality, and professionally testifies in court regarding law enforcement duties. Must be a credible witness. 

• Supports training of Limited Commission Ranger workgroup employees. 

• Maintains proper upkeep of assigned equipment, including patrol vehicle, assigned computers, field gear, multiple weapons systems and Body Worn Cameras. 

• As a Field Training Officer (FTO), trains new Limited Commission rangers through a 4-week course.   

• Responds to emergency calls for service regarding law enforcement, emergency medicine, wildland firefighting, wildlife management, and other calls as assigned. 

• Works cooperatively with other law enforcement agencies, including during high stress and emergency situations.

• Works to resolve crisis situations using the least amount of force required to de-escalate the incident. 

• Coordinates Search and Rescue (SAR) missions as a member of a multi-jurisdictional team and may independently lead emergency response missions. 

• Applies expert knowledge of OSMP system to direct and lead resources in emergency situations. 

• Provides appropriate medical care up to individual level of medical certification, a minimum of Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).

• Follows Boulder County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Protocols and provides appropriate, professional medical care in all situations and up to and including life threatening injuries and illnesses.   

• Performs local wildland fire suppression on OSMP property and throughout Boulder County including coordination with other agencies.    

• Maintains P.O.S.T, Emergency Medical Responder (or higher certification), and Wildland Firefighting certifications through provided trainings. 

• Complies with department policies, rules, regulations, instructions, laws, and ordinances pertaining to the Ranger/Peace Officer Position. 

• Analyzes and implements appropriate action with healthy, sick, injured, or deceased wildlife, working with partner agencies. 

• Performs minor repairs or summons help to remedy unsafe field conditions or land management problems that need immediate attention.     

• Coordinates with other OSMP workgroups and other local agencies to design and implement solutions to issues identified on OSMP property. 

• Locates and organizes resources needed to implement strategies.  Consistently shares information with other agencies and department members.  

• Monitors conditions, use patterns, and events on OSMP properties that are damaging to the natural resources, and takes appropriate action to address the issue, collaborates with OSMP resource staff to address identified issues. 

• Monitors and documents damage or unsafe conditions of OSMP facilities. 

• Performs related duties as required. 

• Provides educational and interpretive services while on patrol and through programming.  

• Develops and conducts environmental education programs for the general public, organizations, special use groups and educational institutions. 

• Supports public education and outreach activities of Open Space and Mountain Parks Department, including youth learning programs. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to be an effective team member, including working professionally with co-workers, other city employees and partner agencies. 

• Ability to make immediate, sound decisions on a routine basis, under stress, and often without assistance.  

• Ability to carry a loaded firearm in a law enforcement capacity, pass regular firearm qualifications for multiple firearm systems, and use physical force and/or lethal force if justified in terms of existing laws, policies, and procedures. 

• Ability to coordinate formal and informal teams in the field within the incident command structure, including during law enforcement, medical or wildland fire emergencies.   

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. 

• Ability to work independently; during contacts, assigned calls, and patrol.   

• Skills in organization and time management. 

• Valid Driver’s License and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.

• Have and maintain acceptable background information including criminal conviction history.    

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to communicate fluently in the Spanish language.  

• Ability to manage conflict resolution and de-escalation.

• Knowledge and use of OSMP properties and trails, and Boulder County geography.

• Knowledge of the local natural history, flora and fauna. 

• Skill, experience, and proper field application in listed medical certifications.    

• Skill and experience in wildland firefighting.    

• Skill and experience in environmental education and interpretation.    

• Skill and experience in wildlife management.    

• Skills in advanced outdoor recreation on uneven terrain and off-trail and experience preforming job duties in all weather conditions.  

• Skills in self-awareness of mental health resiliency and emotional intelligence. 

• Skill in current P.O.S.T certification for Colorado, or another state with an ability to challenge P.O.S.T.   

• Skill working in Law Enforcement, in a natural resource setting or other Law Enforcement setting. 

• Skill, experience and safety record with various firearm systems.  

• Current CPR certification, Emergency Medical Responder certification, Emergency Medication Technician certification or higher level of medical certification and experience in a pre-hospital setting.   

• Current NWCG Firefighter 2 or higher wildland firefighting certifications.

• Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) certification or NAI certification.  

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a preferred field of natural resource management, forestry, environmental science, biology, ecology, criminal justice, leadership or other related field.

• Experience conducting patrol on bike.  

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Eight (8) years of related experience may substitute for the education requirement.

• Two (2) years of work experience in natural resources, recreation, law enforcement, or land management.

• Ability to obtain department sponsored P.O.S.T certification within 1 year of hire, dependent on academy availability, or must successfully challenge P.O.S.T within 3 months of hire.  

• Ability to obtain department sponsored Emergency Medical Responder certification within 1 year of hire, dependent on course availability.   

• Ability to obtain department sponsored NWCG Firefighter 2 certification within 1 year of hire, dependent on course availability. 

• Ability to obtain CIG certification within a year depending on course availability.  

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Qualified applicants will be required to complete several stages of interviews and testing, pass a job suitability assessment, may need to pass a physical abilities test, and complete a thorough background investigation including a CVSA/Polygraph and a medical evaluation with drug screen. Applicants must be able to demonstrate personal and professional honesty, integrity, sound judgment as shown in applicant’s criminal history, background, motor vehicle record, and use of drugs and alcohol. Preference will be given to applicants who have no history of use, sale or possession of illegal substances. 

The following will disqualify any applicant from consideration: 

• Any felony conviction 

• Commission of a felony, whether convicted or not within the past 5 years 

• Commission of any non-traffic related misdemeanor, whether convicted or not within the past 3 years 

• Excessive number of traffic violations 

• Use, even by prescription, of any product containing THC within 3 months prior to an anticipated hire date.

• Any marijuana business ownership or interest within the past 3 years 

• The use, sale, possession, or transfer of any illegal controlled substance within the past 2 years (examples: Cocaine, Heroin, LSD, Methamphetamine, MDMA,).  

• Unlawful sale or fraudulently obtaining any controlled scheduled substance with the past 5 years (Examples: Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Sleep Medication, Codeine, Morphine, etc.)

• Use of a substance prescribed to another person will be reviewed for substance type, frequency, and length of time.

• Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process. 

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received:  Ranger Supervisor

Supervision Exercised:  none

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Physical and mental effort: Ability to perform essential physical duties of the job including the ability to hike up to 10 miles daily over rugged and uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Ability to climb boulders, climb mountains, hike long distances, and carry 50 lbs. of equipment up steep mountain trails and off-trail for Search and Rescue or Law Enforcement missions.  Ability to lift and carry equipment; to stand, walk and kneel while performing duties on a regular basis. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person.  Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials.  Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment.  Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.

• Working environment: As essential emergency personnel can tolerate working in extreme environments such as on a wildland fire, in extreme hot or cold weather events, natural disasters, hostile contacts, and/or dangerous situations for extended periods of time.  Works rotating day and evening shifts throughout the year.  Works weekends and holiday shifts.  Works over 10 hours for long calls/missions, can be called back for work during wildland fires or other natural disasters or emergencies.   Works in a setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard. 

• Machines and equipment used: Ability to perform basic maintenance duties using hand tools; to perform rescue mission tasks including carrying a litter and using ropes.  Frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computers, telephones, calculators and copy/fax machines.