Get Involved: Natural Areas - Volunteer Ranger Assistant

Volunteer Ranger Assistant

Description:

Volunteer Ranger Assistants (VRAs) serve as a visible presence in the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and at Larimer County Parks and Open Spaces to enhance the experiences of trail users by providing information, site monitoring, and visitor assistance. VRAs work through the Ranger programs to respond to questions and inquiries, monitor trails, parks, open spaces and natural areas for visitor safety and resource protection, assess timing and types of recreational uses, administer user surveys, and alert rangers to situations that require staff attention. VRA’s may hike, bike, or ride their own horse.

Responsibilities & Activities:

• Provide a visible presence along trails and in open spaces, parks, and natural areas. 
• Focus patrol efforts on most actively visited natural areas and open spaces during high use periods. 

• Respond to visitor questions and issues consistent with training received. 

• Record and report visitor comments, recreational trends and safety issues to ranger staff. 

• Complete and submit an online patrol log following each assignment. 

• Assist rangers at special events and on special patrols when needed. 

• Initiate contact with natural areas visitors on issues related to multi-use conflict, safety, and City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and Larimer County Natural Resources regulations. 

 

Impact 

Assist others and protect our natural spaces through peer education. VRAs reach over 10,000 visitors a year, greatly enhancing the number of contacts paid staff can make alone. 

 

Dress Code  

While volunteering two out of the three items listed below must be worn. All are provided: 

• Volunteer name badge 

• Volunteer shirt  

• Volunteer hat 

Additionally, proper safety equipment (safety glasses, vests, gloves, when required) 

Training 

• Approximately 15 hours of training which includes an orientation to the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and Larimer County Natural Resources, personal outdoor safety, resource protection, conflict management, and emergency assistance.  A shadow patrol with an experienced Volunteer Ranger Assistant will also be required.  

• Opportunity to attend continuing education sessions and hikes with organization rangers. 

Skills and Qualifications 

• Strong interpersonal skills 

• Enjoy working in the outdoors under a variety of weather and trail conditions. 

• Be capable of working independently with little or no supervision while on patrol. 

• Must share a commitment to the mission and goals of both the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and Larimer County Natural Resources and be able to communicate those missions to the public. 

• Must abide by parks, open spaces, and natural area rules and regulations as well as established volunteer policies and procedures as outlined in the VRA training manual. 

• Must possess the skill and ability to safely patrol the natural areas by their choice of means. This includes trailhead hosting, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. 

• Volunteers must provide their own transportation, non-uniform outdoor clothing, and gear. 

• Background check required. 

• Must be at least 18 years old. 

Time Commitment:

• Complete 20 hours of volunteer patrol during a calendar year.
• The need for the VRA is highest between May and October on weekday evenings and weekend

Volunteer Benefits:

• Interact with people with similar interests  
• Participate in fun volunteer recognition, continuing education, and social events  

• Be an integral part of large well-respected and forward-thinking land conservation and stewardship programs.  

• Be truly valued by City and County staff and managers.  

• Enjoyment of the outdoors and physical activity while representing Larimer County Natural Resources and the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program. 

• Meet other volunteers and sharing interests in the outdoors. 

• Developing a greater understanding of the role and mission of Larimer County Natural Resources and the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas. 

Documents:

Read the full job description here.

Website

Find out more about volunteering with Natural Areas.