The posting
JOB LOCATION
5800 S Powhaton Rd Aurora, Colorado 80016-4284
City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
Why Work for Aurora?
- Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
- Diverse community
- Competitive total compensation package
- Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
- Light rail station minutes away
- On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
- Access to innovation workspaces
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The City of Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Department's mission is to encourage active lifestyles and create healthy environments for people, nature, and community.
The award-winning operation consists of seven divisions (Golf, Open Space and Natural Resources, Parks Operations, Planning, Design and Construction, Recreation, Business Services and Communications) that collectively manage more than 8,000 acres of open space, 100+ parks, 180+ athletic fields, over 100 miles of trails, three nature centers, two reservoirs, five recreation centers, five golf courses, indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities, and one of Colorado's largest municipal urban forestry programs.
Aurora PROS is committed to delivering exceptional public service while being responsible stewards of its diverse system of parks, programs, natural resources, and amenities that enhance the daily quality of life for Aurora residents.
This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate can work up to 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, accrue paid time off, and receive 11 paid holidays.
The hiring rate for this role is:
$20.00 1st Year $21.00 2nd Year $22.00 3rd+ Year
The application deadline is November 8, 2026. The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; once we determine we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.
The Reservoir Ranger role provides public safety, natural resource management, and community outreach primarily at sites and facilities assigned to the Open Space and Forestry Division of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department (PROS).
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides support for operations including opening and closing facilities, securing buildings, and providing public safety and natural resources protection.
- Inspecting all boats in accordance with Colorado Park and Wildlife Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) standards.
- Enforces city adopted rules and regulations through information, education, or issuance of summonses where appropriate.
- Patrols and provides for the security of city assets.
- Prepares for, and responds to, emergency response and rescue operations.
- Provides customer service and communicates effectively with members of the public and city personnel.
- Adheres to policies and procedures.
- Completes required financial transactions and record keeping including proficient use of cash registers.
- Resolves complex problems and conflicts.
- Produces reports, manages files and records.
- Performs routine maintenance operations.
- Communicates effectively and coherently over radio communications.
- Performs additional duties 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. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education:
- HS Diploma or GED
Experience:
- At least 1 year of experience in customer service, security, natural resources, recreation, wildlife, emergency medical or criminal justice.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
- Motor Vehicle Record/License: Must provide a valid motor vehicle license.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Fluent in English and Spanish
- College coursework in biology, recreation management, wildlife management, or related degree.
- Previous experience interacting with public regarding park rules and regulations.
- Motorboat operations.
Licenses and Certifications Preferred:
- First Aid/CPR/AED
- OC Pepper Spray
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of ecological principles and practices related to natural resources and stewardship of ecosystems.
Skills:
- Skill in using personal computers, cash registers, and the related software for cash handling, reports and reading a schedule.
Abilities:
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens.
- Handle sensitive or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.
- Communicate effectively both orally, graphically, and in writing.
- Analyze problems to provide best options and assistance.
- Establish and fulfill goals and objectives.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Essential Personnel:
- When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.
Physical Demands:
- Heavy physical work requiring ability to lift a maximum of 100 pounds with or without assistance to handle emergency rescue operations.
- Frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.
- Considerable walking and standing in all types of terrain.
- Frequent performance of activities requiring full range of body movement including bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing, and crawling.
- Ability to swim.
- Considerable hand/eye coordination to operate hand/power tools, power boats, and computer.
- Foot/eye coordination for operating boats, equipment, and vehicles.
- Vision to read reports, documents, manuals, and other written material.
- Effectively communicate with employees and citizens.
Work Environment:
- Frequently works outdoors with exposure to varying types of weather, dust, noise, and fumes.
Equipment Used:
- Operates motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, power boat, and motorized and or handheld parks maintenance equipment.
- This role may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.
- Uniform items: Uniform will be provided. Reservoir Rangers are responsible for providing their own black work boots.
The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.
For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References: As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.
Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.
Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.
Notice Regarding Colorado Identification Document Protections (HB26‑1283) As part of the employment eligibility verification process, the city of Aurora may request government-issued identification documents as permitted by law. Original identification documents will be reviewed only as necessary for employment eligibility verification and will not be retained longer than permitted by law. Applicants will retain possession and control of their original identification documents except for any temporary retention permitted or required by law.
