INTERNSHIP-LIMITED COMMISSION RANGER– STATE FOREST STATE PARK

State of Colorado; Kentucky; On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources is hiring temporary Park Rangers for a 9-month assignment, starting January 2027. This unarmed law enforcement role involves outdoor duties across state parks, with frequent public interaction and diverse weather conditions.

Duties include patrols by vehicle and on foot, issuing citations, responding to emergencies, and assisting in park operations such as revenue handling, facilities upkeep, and visitor services.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must have a valid driver's license for operating a state vehicle and acceptable driving record.
• Federal law prohibits illegal drugs; past marijuana or illegal drug use may disqualify.
• Background check required and successful completion is mandatory.
• Must be able to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Must attend required Colorado State Park training and have/obtain First Aid and CPR.
• Must work well in a team and deliver excellent customer service.

Responsibilities

• Issue citations for violations.
• Patrol park areas by vehicle, OHV, boat, bicycle, or on foot.
• Respond to emergencies and visitor complaints.
• Complete reports and testify in court if required.
• Assist in daily park operations including revenue, facilities, and visitor services.
• Perform general maintenance as needed.
• Support Lake, river, and backcountry parks when assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Public safety

MS Office

Google Apps

Education

First Aid and CPR certifications

Natural Resources degree (preferred)

Job description

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION (9 MONTHS OR LESS) - PAYING $20.00 PER HOUR
EMPLOYMENT STARTS 1/2027 THROUGH 10/2027.

The mission of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources is to develop, preserve, and enhance the state's natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future citizens and visitors. In an effort to build diversity and inclusion we welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Temporary Park Rangers educate the public and patrol our State Parks. They perform a wide variety of jobs, and most work is conducted outside in all seasons and weather conditions. Park Rangers work where everyone comes to play! They wear many hats because of the diversity of the State's geography, visitors, and recreational opportunities.

This is an unarmed law enforcement position (Title 33 Commission). Limited Commission Park Ranger positions involve extensive customer service and public contact while enforcing Colorado Parks and Wildlife laws and regulations. Specific duties may include but are not limited to:

• Issuing citations for violations
• Conduct patrols of park areas by vehicle, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV), boat, bicycle, or foot.
• Responding to emergencies and resolving visitor complaints.
• Completing reports and may be required to appear in court.
• Assisting in all areas of daily park operations, which may include:
  • Revenue/fee collection, verification, basic accounting, and deposits
  • General park or facility maintenance, such as cleaning of public facilities (restrooms, vault toilets, campsites, picnic areas, trails, etc) as needed.
  • Visitor services operations which may involve education and interpretive programs.
• Lake, river, and backcountry recreation parks may have additional, separate duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

This position is up to 40 hours per week and up to nine months in duration.

School schedules MAY be accommodated.

WORK CONTEXT:
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - Travel via vehicle, etc is required for this position. Job duties for this position may cover various areas of Colorado and require operation of 4 wheel drive vehicles, snowmobiles, ATV's, towing trailers, operating boats, etc.
Freedom to Make Decisions - Decisions are made on a daily basis. Part of the decision-making responsibility is to determine what level is appropriate for each decision and to forward with background information and recommendations those decisions that need supervisory authority.
Telephone - The phone is also a primary means of communication for this position, and used daily.
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - Fieldwork for this position is necessary and the worker will be outdoors, exposed to weather at least weekly if not daily.
Deal With External Customers - Dealing with external customers is critical to the position and extremely important
Electronic Mail -This is one of the primary means of communication for this job. Email is used at least weekly if not daily.
Face-to-Face Discussions - Face to face discussions/meetings occur at least weekly if not daily.
Structured versus Unstructured Work - This job is more unstructured than structured. Work often exceeds time available and it is workers duty to prioritize tasks, and deal with prioritizing unscheduled work that arises.
Duration of Typical Work Week - The number of hours worked is, on average, but not limited to, 40 hours per week. Shifts are generally 8 hours and days off are generally Monday - Friday. Shifts will include weekends and holidays.
Consequence of Error - Error in this position could result in minor to serious implications if the mistake was not readily correctable (depending on the situation).
Letters and Memos -Letters and memos are written on a regular basis. Most written communication is handled electronically via email.
Contact With Others -Contact with others occurs daily and should be considered one of the critical contexts for the position.
Work With Work Group or Team - As explained above, contact with others is critical to the position and is almost always working in a group or as part of a team.
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - Fieldwork for this position is necessary; however, a large portion of training will occur in a classroom or other controlled indoor environment.
Uniforms - The park may provide some uniform items (shirts, hats, gloves and outerwear). Employee will be required to purchase limited uniform items at their own expense (navy colored pants, hiking or work boots, black socks and black belt).

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must have a current and valid driver's license required for operating a state vehicle and an acceptable driving record (which will be verified as part of the comprehensive background check process).
• IMPORTANT - Federal law maintains the prohibition of illegal drugs. If you have used marijuana within the past 12 months and/or used any illegal drugs within the past 36 months, you will be disqualified from the process and will not advance further.
• If you have been convicted of a felony or any domestic violence charge and/or been convicted of any misdemeanors that prohibit POST certification for Colorado Peace Officer standards (see link: Decertifying Misdemeanors Colorado POST), you will be disqualified from the process. Successful completion of a comprehensive background check is required.
• Must be available to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and may involve working during inclement weather.
• This position requires outdoor physical work that may require climbing in and out of vessels/vehicles and/or under trailers to perform job functions.
• The work site will provide some uniform items; however, employees may be required to purchase limited uniform items at their own expense.
• Must attend and successfully complete required Colorado State Park training (may include full exposure to OC spray).
• Must have or be able to attain valid current First Aid and CPR certifications.
• Must be able to work with limited supervision and work well within a team.
• Must possess strong interpersonal communication skills to deliver excellent customer service.
• Basic computer skills required (MS Office Suite, Google App Suite)
• Preference may be given to applicants with or working towards a Natural Resources degree or similar education.
• Previous experience handling money and working with the public is preferred.
• Background check required.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly during the course of a workday.
• Pursuant to the DNR-120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle.
• To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who:
  • Have an assigned State fleet vehicle
  • Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position
  • Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position will perform physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. Ability to perceive color differences and to hear verbal and radio communications.

We are committed to increasing a "Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a "Colorado for ALL" drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, at [e-mail]

E-VERIFY EMPLOYER

The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program's Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

TOLL- FREE APPLICANT SUPPORT - TECHNICAL HELP

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it. The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with these types of technical issues.