Supervisor, Enforcement (Natural Areas Lead Ranger) (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
City of Fort Collins Natural Areas
Fort Collins, Colorado
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Salary | $71,000 - $78,000 per year |
| Benefits | Classified (Non-CBU) |
| Deadline | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Min. Experience | 2 - 4 years |
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.
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
- Post Offer Employment Test (P.O.E.T)
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.
Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?
- Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
- Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
- Retirement + company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
- Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
- Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
- Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
- Wellness program, workout facilities
- Employee/family onsite health clinic
- Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
- Collaborative work environment
Natural Areas Supervisors, Enforcement (Lead Rangers) are Special Commissioned Officers of Fort Collins Police – they have a limited commission and are trained in and carry a baton and OC/pepper spray (unarmed). This position serves as a field supervisor for the ranger team supporting day-to-day problem solving and operations and will directly supervise a team of up to 4 full-time Rangers. The Lead Ranger position consists of approximately 70% patrol, covering over 50+ Natural Areas, 50+ Parks and 150+ miles of paved and unpaved trails on 50,000+ acres of land in Larimer County. The Lead Ranger will work alongside a variety of partner agencies to ensure the safety of the public and protection of the natural resources. This position may coordinate resources and act as incident command during emergencies on City-owned properties. The Supervisor, Enforcement (Lead Ranger) will support the Sr. Ranger Supervisor including by organizing Ranger training opportunities that respond to needs and trends in the field.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
- Responsible for planning, directing and monitoring the job assignments assigned staff and supports their professional development; Responsible for hiring, training, evaluating, and terminating employees.
- Assists with policy interpretation, revisions, development and implementation.
- Assists with developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Ensures staff are following SOPs and safety protocols.
- Ensures summons issued by assigned staff meet legal and ethical standards by providing feedback and working with City prosecutors and other partners.
- Develops and implements training plans for assigned staff; supports qualifications required for special commission from Fort Collins Police Services. Coordinates required training with Fort Collins Police Services and others.
- Provides traffic control duties during special events, emergencies, demonstrations, and planned operations by directing vehicle and pedestrian movement, implementing temporary traffic control measures, and coordinating with public safety personnel to ensure public safety and minimize traffic disruptions.
- Acts as the main field training Officer (FTO) for newly hired staff.
- Assists with training, supervision and maintenance needs of all equipment and technological tools used by staff.
- Maintains records of public contacts, law enforcement actions, and illegal activities. Produces police reports, incident reports and other general reports.
- Testifies in court in support of citations issued.
- Responds to questions, feedback, and complaints from the public regarding enforcement.
- Prepares and provides safety and public contact training to staff and volunteers.
- May participate in management planning, special events, or other projects.
- May participate in prescribed burning and wildfire control.
- Performs all the functions of employees supervised.
Management Responsibilities
Yes
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.
- Experience building teams and implementing practices to lead others well in an inclusive, high-performance organization. Skill in integrating and synthesizing others’ viewpoints to build alignment of diverse perspectives to achieve results.
- Capable of creating conditions of emotional safety and demonstrates self-awareness and regulation in responding to others.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
- Customer service, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to effectively deal with and resolve emergency and high stress situations involving other persons while maintaining emotional stability, self-control, control of the situation and flexibility.
- Ability to act with tact and impartiality.
- Ability to wear equipment belt and ballistic vest, weighing approximately 15-20 lbs. for continuous duty periods of 10-12 hours.
- Knowledge of regional, county, and state fire, health and safety, and animal welfare codes pertinent to natural areas, parks and trails.
- Knowledge of Fort Collins and Larimer County law enforcement and emergency services protocols and procedures.
- Ability to use a variety of equipment and power tools such as a snow plow.
- Ability to operate in-vehicle mobile data computers, other computers, and radios sufficiently to constitute effective communication with Dispatch and other personnel.
- Ability to interpret and apply City parking code, ordinances, and regulations.
- Knowledge of related codes under State and Federal law that may be applicable in natural areas, parks and trails.
- Knowledge of Municipal Code as it relates to natural areas, parks and trails and Municipal Court policies and procedures.
- Knowledge and understanding of natural resource or park management practices and techniques.
- Knowledge of ecosystems and human influences.
Required Qualifications
MinimumPreferredHigh School Diploma or GED and or functionally related licenses or certificates College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school
Experience Requirements
- Four (4) years of progressive related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
- Possession of and ability to 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 violations. , 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 Field Training program and Ranger Excellence School within 12 months of hire. , Must successfully complete medical training such as CPR/First Aid, Emergency Medical Responder or similar training within first 12 months after hire.,
The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
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.
Apply for Supervisor, Enforcement (Natural Areas Lead Ranger) | Application
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| Category | General / Stewardship , Outdoor Recreation |
| Tags | Park Ranger , Naturalist , Volunteer Coordinator |