Senior Ranger
(Full Time, Non-Exempt)
Application Closing Deadline: For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. July 7, 2026
Hiring Range is $61,579 to $74,594 annually based on qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position.
Position Summary:
Under direction of the Assistant Director of Parks and Open Space, this position, is responsible for the supervision and direction of the Park Rangers including full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff. The Senior Ranger is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the work performed by the park ranger team. This may include rule enforcement, wildlife management, environmental education, resource management, and other duties as assigned. Additional responsibilities may include assisting with District user permits, special events and resource projects. This position is required to work shifts that may include hours ranging from early mornings to late nights as well as weekends, holidays, and after-hour patrols. Performs duties in a manner consistent with the stated values of the organization.
Essential Duties:
- Supervises the daily work activities of full-time, part-time, and seasonal personnel. Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new staff. Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations. Provides proper coaching and training for employees. Ensures that staff adhere to district policies and works with employees to correct deficiencies. Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with organizational policy.
- Determines staffing needs, oversees the scheduling, assignments, and daily workflow of assigned staff to ranger operations including patrol functions, and provides backup support as needed. Reviews and approves employee bi-weekly timesheets. Works directly with Payroll to resolve any pay issues.
- Administers and adheres to District policies. Assists in preparing, enforcing, maintaining, and modifying policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that comply with local, state and national regulations. Conducts periodic staff meetings to provide and gather information; answers questions and responds to complaints and concerns, both internally and externally.
- Develops and maintains a good working relationship with local law enforcement. Works closely with local law enforcement as needed for backup support on issues requiring law enforcement.
- Conducts or coordinates and documents training of personnel in techniques for safe and efficient ranger operations including but not limited to collapsible baton, de-escalation, pepper spray, basic self-defense, first-aid, emergency medical response, customer service, resource protection and resource education.
- Ensures the safety of users and keeps District liability risks at a minimum by inspecting parks, trails and open spaces for safety and maintenance needs.
- Performs welfare checks on unhoused encampments and provides information on available services that can assist or help the unhoused. When necessary, will tag encampments for removal and coordinate clean-up efforts of encampments.
- Exercises good judgment and proper safety precautions and practices at all times.
- Assists Director with developing division goals and objectives.
- Applies knowledge of ecological principles and protection of district resources.
- May perform long hours of patrol functions in all District parks, trails, open spaces and is accountable to enforce District rules and regulations through courtesy contacts and after- hour patrols.
- Skillfully operates a vehicle, UTV and/or bicycle for patrol purposes as needed.
- Develops positive public rapport by directing and assisting park visitors in the proper use and enjoyment of District parks, trails and open spaces.
- Provides a variety of general information to the public regarding parks and special events; responds to questions and resolves complaints.
- Oversees the development and implementation of educational booths throughout the district.
- Develops and maintains professional relationships with District employees, vendors, citizens, and various outside user groups to coordinate their programs and special events.
- Responds tactfully, respectfully and in a timely manner to inquiries, complaints, and problems in person, through email, phone and mail by providing helpful information and explanations in-line with District policies and procedures. Thoughtfully handles confrontational or stressful interactions.
- Inspects, monitors and enforces rules and regulations as they pertain to District user permits involving special events and temporary access permits.
- Responsible for encroachment inspections on District property and following up through contact and removal evaluation.
- Maintains and cares for assigned tools and equipment including pickup truck, radio, baton, etc. Maintains and routinely inventories parts and materials used while performing duties. Schedules crews to maintain, repair and restore machinery, equipment and facilities.
- Assists with preparing and monitoring the budget, managing revenues and expenditures, and preparing financial reports. Prepares bid documents, purchase orders, RFPs, and invoice requests; purchases, maintains and inventories materials and supplies. Works with vendors to ensure proper delivery and quality of materials and services. Prepares short and long-range revenue/expenditure projections, checks revenue streams, etc.
- Keeps accurate records including personal timecard, monthly reports, daily logs, incident/accident reports, encroachment reports, graffiti reports and inventory logs according to District procedures in a timely manner. Tracks metrics on trail use, unhoused encampments, river usage, patrol statistics, etc.
- Attends and participates in staff meetings, trainings, and orientations.
- Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of parks, trails, open space services, unhoused encampments and ranger operations.
- May participate in fieldwork pertaining to resource management in South Platte Park and other District parks including but not limited to vegetation, wildlife management, environmental assessments, trail maintenance, traffic control, and general construction or maintenance.
- May be required to assume or to assist with additional supervisory duties in Director's absence.
- Attends work on a regular, reliable and punctual basis.
- May be required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays and may be required to work shifts deviating from this position's normal workdays.
This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.
Education and/or Experience:
- Must be eighteen (18) years of age.
- Bachelor degree in Natural Resource Management or a related field.
- Two (2) years' related experience which includes one (1) year of supervisory experience.
- Any combination of experience, training and education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:
- CPR/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain upon hire.
- EMR Certification or ability to obtain upon hire.
- Must possess a valid Colorado Driver License or the ability to obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record.
- OC Certification or ability to obtain upon hire
- Baton Certification or the ability to obtain upon hire
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of law enforcement and local ordinances pertaining to park and natural resources.
- General knowledge of ecological principles and resource management techniques.
- Must be able to patrol on bicycle, UTV and motor vehicle.
- Knowledge of and ability to perform or receive training on CPR/First Aid and EMR.
- Ability to resolve customer complaints and escalated problems.
- Must be highly motivated and take direction well.
- Knowledge of equipment, materials, and techniques used in safe and efficient ranger operations including but not limited to radio, collapsible baton, de-escalation, pepper spray, and basic self-defense.
- Ability to effectively manage and prioritize situations and goals to maximize available resources.
- Problem solving skills to analyze complex problems and implement appropriate corrective actions.
- Knowledge of budget planning and management.
- Skills in recruiting, training, supervising, evaluating, and motivating employees.
- Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high-volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.
- Skill and ability to use and enforce all applicable work safety rules, procedures and equipment.
- Ability to work productively without supervision within established policies and procedures.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams and Internet Explorer.
- Ability to interpret and evaluate the work of staff effectively.
- Must be highly motivated and take direction well.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to provide outstanding customer service, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and interact with others in a professional manner.
- Excellent communication skills to understand oral and written instructions; to express facts, data, and ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
- Ability to research, gather, organize and analyze information.
Material and Equipment Used:
- Regularly uses ranger equipment which may include but is not limited to: police radio, collapsible baton, pepper spray, mule work cart with dump bed, ATV, chain saws, line trimmers with saw blades and other hand and power tools, pesticides, hand-held data collection and GPS tools and software, and live animal traps.
- Regularly uses standard office equipment including a personal computer, phone, calculator, printer, TV projector, and photo copier.
- This position also uses, operates, and instructs on first-aid supplies and equipment.
- This position regularly drives a District and/or personal motor vehicle to various District facilities.
Working Environment:
- Regularly requires work outdoors with exposure to a variety of weather conditions, ecosystems, wildlife, and landscapes, and may require canoeing, wading, or swimming in moving water, biking, and handling small animals. Requires work with power equipment, moving mechanical parts, and animal traps.
- This position has regular exposure to adverse conditions such as dust, loud noise, wildlife, extreme temperatures, humidity, ultra-violet radiation, precipitation, and may include unlit or low light night-time activities.
- This position also performs work in a busy office environment subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.
Physical Requirements:
- Extended periods spent standing, walking/hiking long distances, and sitting in a patrol vehicle.
- Occasional physical work lifting up to 100 pounds unassisted.
- Required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
- May occasionally climb, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
- Must pick up small plants and animals.
- Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate tools, machinery, personal computer and equipment.
- Foot/eye coordination required for operating motorized equipment.
- Vision for reading, recording and interpreting information. Vision acuity to see close-up and at a distance with the ability to adjust focus allowing a broad field of vision.
- Speech communication and hearing to maintain clear and effective communication. Must understand and be understood.
This list is not all-inclusive and represents examples of the work environment and physical demands.
South Suburban Park & Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We've Got You Covered!
South Suburban Offers:
- Competitive medical, dental and vision plans
- Disability and life insurance
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA's)
Happy Employees Are the Best Employees
- South Suburban provides an employee assistance program at no cost that includes: counseling, financial planning, legal assistance, and much more!
- Our Employee Wellness Program gives covered staff the ability to reduce their medical premium by $390 annually
Take Time Away to Do What You Enjoy
- 10 paid holidays per year
- 4 personal days per year
- Earn 11.5 paid vacation days per year
- Paid sick leave to rest, recover, and take care of yourself
We've Got Your Back
- Up to 9% 401(a) Employer contribution/match that vest after 3 years of service
- Trainings to grow your professional and personal skill set
- Tuition Reimbursement Program that covers up to $2,500 per year
Play Where You Work
- Employee engagement is a priority at South Suburban. Staff gatherings have included: pictures with the Stanley Cup, Chili Cook-Off, Ice Cream Social, Shuffleboard Tournament, Employee Appreciation Luncheon, just to name a few
- Monthly wellness challenge opportunities and staff recognition honors
We LOVE Our Facilities and So Will You:
- Free daily admission to recreation centers, tennis courts, ice rinks and swimming pools
- 50% off food at South Suburban restaurants
- $5 to $10 for nine holes of golf at four different courses
SSPRD offers an excellent...
