Police Officer - Park Ranger (External)

Department: Police Department

Reports to: Police Sergeant - Administrative

Hourly Wage Rate: $25.34 - $31.04

Benefits Information

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Position closes: Midnight, December 31, 2024 or until filled

Please Note: Verification of minimum qualification(s) and, if applicable, starting salary/wage is based on information provided in the official application. Resume content will not be used for these purposes. Please ensure your application is complete and accurate.

Position Summary: Responsible for maintaining order, protecting the environment, and enforcing city ordinances in the City’s parks and recreational areas both inside and outside of the city limits; provide an increased presence and specialized law enforcement for the issues facing parks; and performs related duties as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities*: The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are central to the job or are the reason the position exists, and the employee must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. This list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Conducts visual checks throughout the park system for maintenance and safety problems, reporting them to the appropriate personnel for correction.
• Responds to citizen complaints and resolves minor conflicts.
• Patrols City parks, trails, facilities and buildings by motorized vehicle, bicycle or on foot to ensure compliance with park laws and other City codes, rules, and regulations.
• Exercises judgment and independent action within departmental and legal constraints to deter criminal and other undesirable activity.
• Interprets and communicates rules and regulations related to the parks system.
• Contact violators and issue warnings or citations for violations.
• Provides assistance in emergency situations; or medical assistance.
• Works closely with the City of Canon City Police Department along with Parks and Recreation on all relative issues.
• Communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Load, unload, aim and fire handguns, shotguns and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.
• Conducts criminal and civil investigations of environmental related crimes, violations of Title 33 Colorado Revised Statute, and Canon City Municipal Code.
• Verify park permits have been requested and are valid for park use.
• Detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offense and infractions and that indicate the presence of dangerous conditions.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports; keep daily record of observations, activities, incidents, public contacts, resource damage, safety hazards, etc.
• Provide testimony in court or other formal settings as needed.
• Provides excellent customer service to external and internal customers including but not limited to effectively listening and communicating, providing accurate information, offering solutions, assisting in resolution, and ensuring timely follow up as needed.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities*: The following duties, although not essential to the position, are important components to the smooth and efficient operation of the Division, Department, and City.

• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
• Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
• Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.
• Provides assistance and information to the general public.
• Assists in traffic control at various parks and other events.
• Performs a variety of public relations functions as assigned.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

* This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The essential and non-essential duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. The below list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all knowledge, skills and abilities that are required.

• Operation and care of firearms.
• First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques.
• Work outside in all weather conditions including temperature extremes.
• Make immediate, important, and critical decisions related to enforcement and emergency situations.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse people.
• Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to deal with difficult customers.
• Work a variety of weekends, weekdays, holidays, and evenings as assigned.
• This mission, policies, goals, and procedures of Canon City relating to park, forestry, maintenance and repair.
• Principles and practices of effective natural resource management and environment conservation for the benefit of the visitors and for the protection of the resources and facilities.
• Recreational activities of the user, including boating, fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, nature study, etc.
• Wildlife, geology, environmental sciences, local and state history, and related subjects required for preparation and presentation of park interpretive programs.
• Park regulations and enforcement procedures, protocol and appropriate corrective actions.
• Strong public relations and communication skills.
• County and state laws, rules, regulations and policies regarding operations.
• Basic recreational activities of the park.
• Basic principles of First Aid and CPR. First Responder level or higher desired.

Minimum Qualification(s):

Experience

• Must be a U. S. Citizen
• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of swearing in.
• Completion of Field Training.
• Not have been convicted of the following:
• A felony crime.
• A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• A misdemeanor crime that would affect ability to certify with the Colorado Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board.
• Candidates with prior military service in the armed forces my provide, as an attachment to their application, their DD Form – 214, Copy 4, which must not reflect Character of Service as Dishonorable or Bad Conduct Discharge.
• Drug usage, as described below, will likely be cause for disqualification:
• Any use of Marijuana within one (1) year prior to the date of application.
• Any use of any illegal drugs (i.e. heroin, cocaine, LSD, amphetamines, steroids, or other illegal drug, as defined in schedules I through V of Section 2020 of the Controlled Substance Act) within five (5) years prior to the date of application.

Education

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.

Licenses/Certifications

• Must have a valid Colorado Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one within sixty (60) days of hire, with a driving record acceptable to the City of Canon City.
• Certified Colorado Police Officer

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted.

Preferred Qualification(s):

Experience

• Prior experience as a Park Ranger or Parks and Wildlife Officer

Education

• Field Training or Skills Instructor.
• Advanced Classes totaling 100 hours of training; of which 40 hours must include leadership training.

Licenses/Certifications

• None

Physical Activities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee will travel within the City of Canon City and Fremont County

• This position works in an indoor and outdoor environment and requires the ability to perform physically demanding activities in a variety of settings.
• The employee is sometimes required to drive, including marked and unmarked police vehicles.
• The employee is occasionally required to apprehend and subdue persons resisting arrest.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to hazardous and potentially lethal situations and individuals, including exposure to firearms, other weapons, explosives, toxins, traffic, and natural disasters.
• Majority of work time will be indoors with low noise levels.
• Physical demands of job require some lifting; pulling; carrying and pushing of objects, or people –approximately 175 pounds.
• Frequent bending, simple grasping, finger/manual dexterity, standing, walking, twisting upper body, stooping, and hearing.
• Occasional climbing on stairs.
• Communicates verbally with City staff, outside agencies and the public in one-on-one settings, group settings and over the telephone.

Additional Information:

• This position will be assigned to work various shifts throughout the work week; Saturday to Friday.
• This position will be required to attend occasional City Council meetings and/or other meetings and events outside of normal work hours.
• Travel within the City of Canon City and Fremont County will be required.
• Frequent extension of work day to meet deadlines.