Land Management Specialist/Ranger - Douglas County : Job Details

Land Management Specialist/Ranger

Employment Type: 0 - Full-time Regular

Pay Range: $55,364.00 - 83,046.00

Location: Castle Rock, CO

Overtime Exempt: N

Elected Office / Department: OPEN SPACE

Research, develop, and implement a full range of highly technical professional land and resource management programs and projects within the Division of Open Space and Natural Resources. These responsibilities include administration of natural resource operations, oversight of agricultural and property leases, supervision of full time, temporary, and seasonal staff and volunteers, resource protection, public safety, regulation enforcement, and interpretation and education.

Applicants with ranching, agriculture, GIS and noxious weed management experience are preferred.

Schedule may vary due to business needs, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Extended hours may be necessary in some cases

Generally, the hiring range is $55,364-$69,205 annually. Qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position will be taken into consideration when determining hiring salary.

Douglas County offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision/Retirement. For a more detailed overview please view the full Employee Benefit Guide.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be all-inclusive.)

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Responsible for administration of natural resource operations, including, but not limited to:

* Forest and Range program and contract management

* Hazardous fuels reduction/forest health

* Grazing/haying

* Other land and resource management programs

* Wildlife habitat and fisheries management

* Identify sensitive/critical habitats and manage accordingly

* Make recommendations to County Officials on endangered species and associated habitats

* Fishery assessment and stocking programs

* Noxious/invasive weed management

* Identify sensitive areas and manage accordingly

* Coordinate and oversee weed spraying activities

* Resource and facility maintenance and contract management

* Trail safety and sustainability

* Trail and trailhead maintenance

* Open Space structure safety and maintenance

* Lease administration

* Develop, administer, and implement comprehensive Land Management Plans

* Forest, range, wildlife, agricultural, recreation, and maintenance plans

* Prepare grant applications, administer grant funds, and coordinate with funding partners

* Recreation activity management

* Patrol and enforcement

* Special event permitting and oversight

* Conservation Easement review and monitoring

* Annual assessments of County easements held by Douglas Land Conservancy

* Annual monitoring of County held easements on private property

* Consultation with private landowners

* Volunteer program administration

* Mounted Patrol

* Trail maintenance

* Adopt-a-trail program

* Represent the Division of Open Space and Natural Resources when working with other professional agencies in developing and executing land and resource management programs.

* Act as liaison to other agencies to ensure protection of County owned resources.

* Develop, administer, and conduct interpretive environmental and historical educational programs to both schools and public groups.

RANGER DUTIES

* Public Safety

* Provide for public safety by enforcing regulations through a limited law enforcement commission from the Douglas County Sheriff and from the authority granted by the Board of County Commissioners.

* Provide for public safety through emergency response to wildland fire and emergency medical incidents on Open Space properties, and on other locations as requested.

* Serve as First Responders on a 24/7/365 basis to all Parks, Trails and Open Space emergencies as well as County (Incident Management Team, DECART) incidents as deemed necessary by Leadership.

* Act as liaison to other agencies to ensure natural resource protection.

* Assist County and other governmental agencies with mutual aid on incidents involving wildland fire suppression, emergency medical response, search and rescue, wildlife management, and other natural or man-made disasters.

* Responsible for recognizing limits of authority and operating within those limits.

* Maintain professional qualifications and certifications.

ADMINISTRATION

* Participate in establishing strategic initiatives, goals, priorities, and policies for Open Space properties and coordinating communication with the public, other governmental agencies, and outside consultants.

* Provide input to Leadership for the preparation of the annual budget.

* Keep Leadership informed of the ongoing costs for land, resource, and property management programs.

* Represent Douglas County at various governmental functions, regional councils, and other community and special interest group meetings.

OTHER DUTIES

* Prepare a variety of documents, maps, and other various reports,

* Work with the public positively and constructively and interact with people of diverse ages, interests, viewpoints, and backgrounds, and

* Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Does not directly supervise other employees. May provide guidance and training to staff, as required.

INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT: Work is generally performed independently within general guidelines, requiring innovation, proper judgment, and discretion.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

* A Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resource, Recreation, Agriculture, Wildlife Biology, or related field is preferred.

* Must have two (2) years of ranching or land/resource management experience.

* A combination of experience and education may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge:

* Follow Occupational hazards and related safety precautions.

* Methods and techniques of maintaining public safety in an open space environment.

* Demonstrate strong customer service skills and establish, maintain, and foster positive and productive working relationships; and

* Basic first aid and CPR

Skills:

* Be able to operate a computer with Microsoft Office software (or similar), upload data and data management, ArcGIS, cloud-based services, GPS devices, and a cellular phone.

* Materials and equipment used in the maintenance, repair, and installation of trails, landscapes, and infrastructure.

* Basic plant identification knowledge and skills.

* Proper handling of pesticides.

* Maintaining tools and equipment used in operation and maintenance of open space lands.

* Understand, interpret, and apply all relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

* Maintain records and files on work performed.

* The ability to diffuse confrontation by keeping contacts professional and fair and exercising sound judgment.

* Ability to hike, use a bicycle over rough or uneven terrain for long periods of time; and

* Ability to safely ride a horse and have the skills to care for a horse while riding.

Abilities:

* Apply basic first aid and CPR.

* Perform heavy manual labor for extended periods in all types of weather.

* Organize work, follow priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments.

* Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with coworkers, stakeholders, and the public.

* Ability to communicate orally and in written form with professionalism and accuracy.

* Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal, scientific, technical journals, documents, reports, and statutes.

* Ability to respond to inquiries from private and public agencies, citizens, and elected officials.

* Interact with individuals in interpreting and enforcing rules, policies, and procedures; and

* Requires the ability to remain calm during stressful and dangerous situations.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid Driver's License upon hire, with complying insurance. Review of motor vehicle record is required at time of hire and periodically throughout employment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Work Environment: Work is generally performed outdoors in various weather conditions. This position requires the incumbent to remain available via mobile cellular device/email during and after typically scheduled business hours. Work is often performed in potentially dangerous situations involving criminal acts, problem or dangerous wildlife, and fire and medical emergencies.

Physical Demands:

* Incumbents must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance and/or the use of proper equipment.

* Requires the ability to assist injured visitors.

* Must be able to hike, bike, or ride horseback for long distances over rough terrain.

* Requires fine motor dexterity to adjust and maintain power equipment.

* Frequently must walk over uneven, rough terrain, either pushing, pulling, or carrying equipment.

* Climb and descend ladders.

* Operate a variety of tools, equipment, and motor vehicles.

* Requires agility to maneuver rough terrain.

* Be able to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and inspect work sites.

* Exposure to chemicals, mechanical and electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes as present on a ranch-type environment; and

* Ability to perform strenuous labor for up to 8 hours a day. Must have strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work.

Equipment and Materials Directly Used: Typical office equipment such as computer, phone, fax/copy machine. May operate a county vehicle. Power tools, some law enforcement equipment, ladders, hand tools, and similar.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Closing Date: 1/10/2025 5:59PM MST. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

The job details outlined in this posting may represent a modified summary of the full job description. For a full copy of the job description CLICK HERE to view our job classifications.

In the event of an emergency/disaster in or near the County, all County employees are expected to make every effort to be available to assist the County Manager, Elected/Appointed Officials and Department Directors to ensure the continued operation of any and all necessary County functions. This may mean being available to perform additional duties and hours beyond what is normally required. In the event that an exempt employee does work more than 40 hours a week in support of County operations during an emergency, such employee may receive overtime or other appropriate wage compensation in accordance with existing County policies or at the discretion of the County.