Open Space Ranger II

Salary : $53,633.00 – $75,622.00 Annually

Location : Superior, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 2023-17

Department: Parks Recreation and Open Space

Opening Date: 09/28/2023

Closing Date: 10/22/2023 11:00 PM Mountain

Job Summary
The Open Space Ranger II – This position spends approximately 50% of time in the field. The Ranger II oversees the land management practices, programming, volunteer initiatives, contractual agreements budget planning, purchasing and capital projects associated with Superior Open Space areas. The position manages, trains, schedules, oversees and evaluates internship program participants, youth corps/Americorps programs. Additionally, provides assistance with the Town’s special events and serves as staff liaison to the Open Space Advisory Committee. Work includes rigorous outdoor work in various weather, walking 10-15 miles per week on trails and undeveloped open space areas and working outside regular business hours and may include evenings and weekends. Works under the supervision of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Director.

This position is non-exempt under the FLSA.

Hiring range is $53,633 – $67,289 annually plus excellent benefits.
Salary range is $53,633 – $75,622 annually
Essential Job Duties

• Specialize in open space land management, trail management, wildlife monitoring, habitat and ecological conservation and interpretive programing.
• Assist with maintenance of GIS data for open space properties.
• Plans and coordinates implementation of programs, events, volunteer initiatives, and maintenance of open space in Superior.
• Coordinate the development and execution of open space planning efforts.
• Work with other partner government entities on open space issues, efforts and cooperative agreements.
• Network and communicates with neighboring municipal land managers and participate in regional planning efforts.
• Assist with wildfire resiliency planning, represents the Town on wildfire mitigation and resiliency as it relates to open space areas, provides technical input on best land management practices in support of wildfire resiliency.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC).
• Conduct research and submit applications for alternative funding such as grants.
• Communicate consistently and effectively with Town staff as it pertains to open space.
• Work with the Communications Team on marketing, advertising, and public education related to open space.
• Manage and supervise contractors, interns, youth corps programs and volunteer initiatives related to open space.
• Maintain records and compile reports as needed to demonstrate on-going management Town open space areas.
• Monitor and purchase supplies as needed.
• Handle customer concerns and provide intervention in conflicts with tact and diplomacy, and take corrective action as needed.
• Respond effectively both verbally and in-person to resident inquiries regarding recreation programs and facilities.
• Successfully manage special projects, including master planning efforts, trail/trailhead improvements, pollinator programs, grazing programs, as directed by the PROS Director.
• Successfully implement directives in the field under minimal supervision.
• Assist with Town events and volunteer programs.
• Assist in budget preparation and projecting revenues and expenditures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with residents, customers and others contacted in the course of work.
• Manage and maintain tool and vehicle inventory.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Colorado high plains native open space environments.
• Knowledge of Colorado open space land management.
• Knowledge and experience working with youth work corps groups.
• Knowledge of the methods of planning, implementing, and evaluating programs.
• Possess skills to successfully maintain detailed records.
• Possess skills to use computers, word processing programs and spread sheets.
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment in various weather conditions for extended periods of time.
• Ability to walk extended distances up to several miles carrying equipment and supplies.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds for limited distances.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Ability to successfully implement directives and use independent judgment in the field under minimal supervision.
• Ability to positively interact with the general public, contractors, governmental entities, and other professional clientele.
• Ability to coordinate a variety of activities and to work effectively with other staff.
• Ability to understand and successfully implement Town policies, procedures, laws and regulations relating to assigned activities.

Supplemental Information
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position requires work to be performed both in indoor and outdoor environments. Outdoor work may require exposure to all types of weather and conditions. Requirements of indoor responsibilities will include sitting for long periods of time. The employee frequently works around park maintenance equipment and is exposed to equipment vibration, fumes, airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee frequently works with the use of an all-terrain vehicle. The noise level can range from low to very loud.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak, read, or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, use hands, fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Walking 10-15 miles a while carrying hand tools. Driving a truck, ATV, or utility vehicle. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

SPECIAL LICENSE, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATE REQUIRED:

• Undergraduate degree in Parks, Outdoor Recreation, Conservation, Ecology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience providing public natural resource/interpretive services.
• Minimum 2 years supervisory experience preferred.
• Possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and safe driving record.
• Experience managing volunteers.
• Experience working with government or private non-profit boards or commissions.
• Experience with use of, hand tools and safety equipment.
• Ability to acquire First Aid and CPR/AED training within six months.

2023 Employee Benefits Summary

The following is a summary of the benefit package for regular employees with the Town of Superior. The benefit package is available to both the employee and their qualified spouse/dependents except when specified for employee only availability.

Medical, Dental and Vision: The Town pays a percentage of each employee’s major medical, dental and vision coverage. Medical and dental coverage is offered by Anthem through the County Health Pool while vision coverage is offered by VSP (Signature Plan) through the County Health Pool. The Town’s payment percentage is based on the following categories: 100% for employee only, 90% for employee plus one, and 85% for employee plus two or more. Full-time employees have the option to receive $200 per month in lieu of medical benefits, if they are able to provide proof of medical coverage. Employees who are hired to work 30 hours per week or more are eligible for medical coverage. Employees who are hired to work 24 hours per week or more are eligible for dental and vision coverage.

Life: The Town provides group term life insurance for an amount of twice the employee salary up to a maximum of $350,000. Employees may also elect to enroll in Voluntary Life Insurance coverage.

Short Term & Long Term Disability: Short-term and long-term disability insurance is provided for employees of the Town.

Wellness Reimbursement Plan: The Town provides reimbursement of 50% of expenses up to $1,300 for the current plan year. For the purpose of this plan, Wellness is defined as a healthy balance of the mind-body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. Therefore, wellness expenses would include items related to: Nutrition, Exercise, Health Care, and Stress Management The Wellness Reimbursement Plan is designed for all eligible employees and their immediate family members. The purpose of this plan is to assists employees’ behavior in order to achieve better health, to optimize an already good state of health and to reduce health risks. The Town will not reimburse any expenses for material goods (i.e. exercise equipment) which could be resold to a third party.

Retirement: The Town provides retirement benefits to full-time employees by contributing 15% of the employee salary to a 401 (a) Money Purchasing Plan. This contribution is not deducted from the employee salary but instead is a benefit in addition to the employee salary. The account is administered through VALIC Retirement. The Town is exempt from Social Security and does not contribute to the program. New regular employees will vest at the rate of 20% from the date of hire, 40% after 1 year, 60% after 2 years, 80% after 3 years, and 100% after 4 years. Part-time employees contribute to Social Security and do not participate in the 401 (a) Money Purchasing Plan

Deferred Compensation: As an employee of a public agency, you may also elect to enroll in one or both of the available Deferred Compensation plans. Employees may enroll in a 457 (b) which allows employees to defer a fixed amount of tax-free wages into a retirement annuity administered through VALIC Retirement. Employees may also enroll in a Roth 457 (b) which allows employees to defer a fixed amount of after-tax wages into a retirement annuity administered through VALIC Retirement. The normal contribution limit for elective deferrals to a 457 deferred compensation plan is $19,500 in 2023. Employees age 50 or older may contribute up to an additional $6,500, for a total of $26,000. Employees taking advantage of the special pre-retirement catch-up may be eligible to contribute up to double the normal limit, for a total of $39,000.

Holidays: The following shall be paid holidays for all regular or other benefited employees: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Day; President’s Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veteran’s Day; Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a Saturday it will be observed on the Friday before and if it falls on a Sunday it will be observed on the following Monday. Additionally, three (3) floating holidays are allowed to be taken at a time chosen by the employee. Floating holidays must be used during the benefit calendar year or they are forfeited. Each must be used as a full day and cannot be taken in increments less than 8 hours.

Vacation: Regular employees shall be entitled to ten (10) days paid vacation per year in consecutive years one through three, fifteen (15) days paid vacation in consecutive years four through seven, and twenty (20) days paid vacation in consecutive years eight and thereafter. Up to twenty (20) days vacation may be carried forward from one year to the next unless a greater accumulation is authorized by the Town Manager and in the Town Manager’s case, authorized by the Mayor. First year employees accumulate vacation days on a pro-rata basis of 0.83 vacation days per month and are ineligible to use vacation for the first 180 days of employment.

Medical Leave: Medical leave shall be granted, on a reasonable basis, up to 12 days per year. Medical leave shall include sick days and office leave for medical, dental and vision appointments. Medical leave may also be used to attend to immediate family. In addition, employees are entitled to funeral leave, which is up to 3 days for immediate family members, and 1 day for extended family members. The Town Manager shall have the discretion to grant additional leave deemed appropriate.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can elect at the beginning of the Plan year (January 1) to have a fixed amount withdrawn from their paychecks on a pre-tax basis. This amount is returned to the employee (tax-free) upon presentation of “qualified dependent care and/or uninsured medical expenses”. The 50% share of these expenses that have already been reimbursed through the Wellness Plan cannot be again submitted to this Plan. (Note: $5,000 dependent care limit and $3,050 uninsured medical limit.) Each participant is able to carry over up to $570 of Healthcare FSA balances remaining at the end of a plan year to be used in the following year.

ECO Pass: The Town provides an EcoPass to all regular employees. EcoPass is an annual employer-sponsored pass providing employees unlimited rides on bus and rail, including the Flatiron Flyer. The Guaranteed Ride Home® is included with the EcoPass program and guarantees to employees a free taxi ride home from the office in the event of unplanned schedule changes, illness or other urgent situations. It provides peace of mind to those who choose an alternative mode of transportation to the office.

01

Do you have an undergraduate degree in Parks, Outdoor Recreation, Conservation, Ecology or related field?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered yes to the question above, in what field is/was your course work?

03

How many years of experience do you have providing public natural resource/interpretive or educational services?

• Less than one year
• One to three years
• Four to six years
• More than seven years

04

Do you have a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of supervisory experience do you have?

• Less than one year
• One to three years
• Four to six years
• More than seven years

06

How would you describe your level of experience with the use of off-road vehicles, hand tools and safety equipment?

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Expert

07

Do you have experience working with GIS mapping, AutoCAD or other mapping software?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have experience hosting virtual meetings such as ZOOM, Google Meet, TEAMS or other virtual meeting software?

• Yes
• No

09

What is your approach to promoting and providing public understanding of Town open space?

10

Describe your experience managing volunteers.

11

Describe your experience working with government or private non-profit boards.

12

Describe you experience managing the maintenance of open space resources.

Required Question