TEMPORARY Limited Commissioned Ranger – Vega State Park

State of Colorado; Colorado; On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

The State of Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), is seeking a Temporary Park Ranger at Vega State Park to educate the public and patrol park areas in all weather conditions. This unarmed law enforcement position involves diverse duties and requires weekend/evening availability and a commitment to public service.

Pay starts at $18.00 per hour with up to 40 hours per week for up to nine months. Candidates should be able to lift 50 pounds and complete required CPW training, including first

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must have a valid driver's license for operating a state vehicle.
• Background check required and may be comprehensive.
• Available to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Outdoor physical work and ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must complete CPW/state park training; CPR/First Aid may be required.
• Preference for Natural Resources degree or related education.
• Experience handling money and interacting with the public is preferred.
• Basic computer skills (MS Office, Google Apps).

Responsibilities

• Issue citations for violations.
• Conduct patrols by vehicle or on foot.
• Respond to emergencies and visitor complaints.
• Complete reports; may appear in court.
• Assist in daily park operations including revenue collection and deposits.
• Maintain facilities and support visitor services and interpretive programs.
• Support lake, river and backcountry parks as needed.

Skills

Driver's license

Background check

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

Outdoor work

Shift flexibility

Basic computer skills

Money handling

Physical stamina

Education

Natural Resources degree preferred

Job description

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION (9 MONTHS OR LESS)- PAY starting at $18.00 PER HOUR

EMPLOYMENT STARTS May THROUGH September or October, 2026.

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.

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (CPW)

Our Mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

At an elevation of 8,000 feet, Vega State Park’s high-mountain lake sits in a beautiful montane meadow on the northeast edge of Grand Mesa National Forest in Western Colorado.

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
• Conducting patrols of park areas by vehicle (Off-Highway vehicles, snowmobiles, bicycle, etc) or by 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.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must have a current & valid driver's license required for operating a state vehicle and acceptable driving record (will be verified as part of comprehensive background check process).
• IMPORTANT - Federal law maintains 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 which prohibit POST certification for Colorado Peace Officer standards (see link: Decertifying Misdemeanors Colorado POST (Download PDF reader)), 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 the employee 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.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly during the course of a workday.

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.

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

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive 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.