Description

The Louisville Ranger Naturalist position is responsible for providing public safety and natural resource protection of the City’s open spaces, parks, and greenways through education and enforcement. This role combines  a balanced approach to ranger work, splitting duties between traditional patrol (via e-bike, foot, and vehicle) and the development and delivery of original education and outreach programs and community events. This role reflects a comprehensive, “do-all” ranger model focused on community-oriented resource protection, public safety, and visitor engagement. 

The City of Louisville Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Department operates and maintains an extensive system of developed parks, trails, and Open Space properties, as well as numerous right-of-way parcels, drainage areas, utility corridors, and jointly-owned properties. The system consists of 1,920 acres of Open Space, 355 acres of parkland, and 32 miles of trails, some of which are jointly-owned and managed with neighboring agencies.

Our Louisville Rangers act as ambassadors in carrying out the objectives identified in the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Master Plan and the Open Space Master Plan. The City of Louisville Ranger Naturalist program currently consists of two full-time employees who work with a high level of professionalism in the urbanized front county landscape of Louisville. Ranger Naturalists patrol public lands to protect natural resources, ensure safety, enforce Open Space and parks use regulations and City Municipal Code, issue citations, and provide services that enhance the visitor experience, such as education, maintenance, and emergency medical response. Duties are performed independently in the field and require fair and impartial judgment, discretion, and diplomacy to make quick decisions in situations that may be tense, uncertain, or rapidly evolving. Under the general supervision of the Open Space Senior Ranger Naturalist, this position works alongside division staff, the Louisville Police Department, and other local EMS agencies.

The Ranger Naturalist’s duties may also include: assisting with City-sponsored activities, managing Access and Use Permits, assisting with snow removal, conducting visitor use surveys, assisting with GIS mapping, providing first aid/CPR, and other duties as assigned. 

This is a full-time, benefited position that works 40 hours per week.
Examples of Duties:
Patrol Open Space and park amenities and facilities (including the Golf Course and Cemetery), as well as more than 32 miles of trails, by e-bike, foot, or vehicle to ensure visitor safety and provide information regarding Open Space and park resources, City Municipal Code, natural resource management, and local history and ecology.
Plan, organize, and lead education programs throughout the year for diverse audiences.
Respond to current enforcement trends through proactive outreach campaigns, educational booths, and visitor engagement efforts.
Interpret and enforce the City of Louisville Municipal Code and other applicable rules and regulations pertaining to department operations.
Exercise discretion and fairness in enforcement actions, including the issuance of warnings and citations, as appropriate.
Protect City Open Space and park resources by monitoring and addressing safety hazards, maintenance issues, and natural resource concerns.
Investigate incidents and collect evidence. Prepare and process reports related to complaints, crimes, injuries, accidents, and other Open Space and park incidents.
Communicate and coordinate with Boulder County Communications (Dispatch) to respond to calls as requested and obtain identification information related to violations.
Prepare correspondence notifying visitors of violations, requesting resolution in accordance with applicable ordinances, and follow up to ensure compliance.
Assist and cooperate with local law enforcement, fire, EMS, and/or Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) in situations requiring actions beyond the scope of Ranger Naturalist training or authority.
Initiate and maintain community-based relationships with schools and other local organizations in support of department goals.
Represent the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space at public events. Develop and maintain visitor-facing messaging for the City website and department social media platforms.
Manage conflicts among visitors in the field and address individual visitor complaints in a professional manner.
Assist with the maintenance and repair of trails, Open Space areas, and other park and department facilities, including restrooms and trash receptacles.
Interact with the public to respond to inquiries and provide information regarding natural history, management policies, current projects, visitor opportunities, education, and enforcement.
Monitor site conditions, visitor use patterns, and special event permits, and take appropriate action when resources are at risk or conditions are unsafe.
Assist with snow removal from trails, sidewalks, and parking lots as assigned.
Assist division staff with trail closures and provide additional patrol support during trail maintenance and resource management activities, including trail repairs, livestock grazing, and tree work.
OTHER DUTIES:

May contribute to the growth of the Ranger Naturalist program by assisting division staff with drafting policy updates, program development, media messaging, and enforcement methods.
May assist with volunteer projects sponsored by the City and/or the Boulder County Youth Corps during the summer months.
May assist division staff with vegetation management and ecological restoration activities, including noxious weed control and methods such as mapping, monitoring, mowing, clipping, pulling, seeding, and pruning.
May assist division staff with wildlife management activities, including monitoring and mapping species locations and population densities, particularly prairie dog and raptor populations.
Ranger Naturalists are required to wear and maintain a uniform. Ranger Naturalists receive an annual uniform stipend.
Other duties as assigned.

General Qualifications:
Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid Colorado driver’s license with an acceptable driving record for the previous three years.
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, Recreation, or a closely related field is required.
A minimum of 24 months of field experience as a Ranger or in a closely related natural resource field position is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered, as determined by the City of Louisville Human Resources.
Additional Information:
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Professionalism, integrity, reliability, and sound ethical judgment.
Knowledge of ecological principles and resource management techniques. Specialization in the Rocky Mountain Region is preferred.
Knowledge and familiarity with City of Louisville geography preferred.
Ability to fairly and impartially interpret and apply municipal code in field situations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write across multiple registers (e.g., police incident reports, memos, policy documents, and educational materials).
Ability to administer basic first aid and CPR.
Ability to enforce department and City regulations while taking direction appropriately.
Ability to ride an e-bike for extended periods on City streets and trails.
Ability to safely operate full-size pick-up trucks, ATVs, and other midsize-to-large equipment.
Ability to effectively work with full- and part-time personnel, children, volunteers, and the general public.
Ability to safely use hand tools and other small equipment.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and resolve issues independently.
Ability to meet assigned deadlines.
Ability to handle complaints in a courteous and professional manner.
Ability and willingness to work variable shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to collect, prepare, and maintain a variety of records and reports.
Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision.
Ability to understand and interpret oral and written instructions.
SPECIAL LICENSES, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATES REQUIRED:

Valid Colorado driver’s license with an acceptable driving record for the previous three years.
Completion of Ranger Excellence School (RES) or attendance within 12 months of hire.
Current CPR/First Aid certification, or obtain within the first 90 days of employment.
Current expandable baton and oleoresin capsicum (OC) certifications, or obtain within 12 months of hire.
SPECIAL LICENSES, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATES PREFERRED:

Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish.
Current National Association for Interpretation certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide or Certified Interpretive Host.
Certification with either the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association or the International Police Mountain Bike Association.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:

Position requires the ability to:

Frequently walk and ride an e-bike or bicycle for extended periods throughout urban areas and Open Space trail systems.
Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including rain, snow, heat, and high winds.
Walk on uneven terrain and/or tall vegetation for extended periods.
Perform strenuous activities, including hiking, standing, walking, sitting, digging, hammering, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
Physically lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Hear and respond to in-person requests and communicate effectively via a two-way radio
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 
WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing duties of this job, Ranger Naturalists primarily work in outdoor weather conditions, and may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, high winds, and vibration. This type of work involves a significant amount of time spent in a patrol vehicle or on an e-bike, with exposure to traffic hazards and danger inherent to working with people who are breaking the law and emotionally unstable persons. Working conditions can be highly stressful. This position also involves shift work, including weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING:

An offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. Candidates must pass a criminal background check. This position requires a driving record check, drug (including THC) and alcohol screening, and a physical.

Criteria for use of Background Information in Selection Process:

Demonstrated personal and professional honesty, integrity, and good judgment as shown in applicant's criminal history, background, and motor vehicle records. In addition to background, criminal, and driving record information, a drug screening and physical testing will be used after a conditional job offer is made for further evaluation in the selection process.