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File Name Description

Position Description

Volunteer Ranger Assistant 

 

Volunteer Description Overview 

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. VRAs may hike, bike, or ride their own horse. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

  • 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. 

 

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. 

 

Support 

Tyler Dubin 

Natural Areas Ranger  

City of Fort Collins 

[email protected]  

(970)214-0992 

  

AJ Chlebnik 

Natural Areas Volunteer Coordinator 

City of Fort Collins 

[email protected] 

(970)224-6118 (number cannot receive text messages) 

 

Patrol log responses are given about once a month.  

 

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 weekends. 

 

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. 

 

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) 

 

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. 

 

Our Philosophy 

By becoming a volunteer with us, you are joining a long history of community commitment to conservation. Since their inception, the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and Larimer County Natural Resources have engaged volunteers on every level, from education to stewardship to leadership. Volunteers help extend outreach and strengthen community involvement. We believe that volunteers are one of our most valuable resources.  

 

Application 

https://engage.fcgov.com/d/NA/App/VolunteerRangerAssistant  

 

Competitive Application Process: 

Typically, there are more applications than there are spaces in the training class. The rangers from both agencies rely on VRAs to be their representatives on the trail. As such only the most qualified candidates will be accepted. Thoroughness in completing the application is a must. Experience in the outdoors, experience with interpersonal customer service, and the ability to hike or bike a minimum of two miles should be recorded on the application. Experience dealing with medical issues and emergencies is a plus. 

 


Training

You MUST attend all training dates and times.

February 10, 2026 6-9 p.m.

February 17, 2026 6-9 p.m.

February 21, 2026 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.



Volunteer Ranger Assistant Questions

Work History

Please enter your work and volunteer history for the last ten years or the last four employers, whichever is less. Use the "First Name" and "Last Name" fields for your supervisor's name. Don't forget to include your volunteer service! For each employer that you enter, "Name", "Supervisor" and "Work/Primary Phone" are required.

Work History 1

Paid
Volunteer
Work/Primary*
Mobile

Work History 2

Paid
Volunteer
Work/Primary*
Mobile

Work History 3

Paid
Volunteer
Work/Primary*
Mobile

Work History 4

Paid
Volunteer
Work/Primary*
Mobile

References

Please enter three personal references who are not family members.

Reference 1

Home/Primary*
Mobile
Work

Reference 2

Home/Primary*
Mobile
Work

Reference 3

Home/Primary*
Mobile
Work

Certification & Release

Volunteer Acknowledgement and Release

I certify that all statements made in this application are true and complete.  I authorize the City of Fort Collins (“City”) to investigate all statements made as a part of this application and to secure any necessary information from all prior employers, volunteer programs, references, academic institutions, law enforcement agencies, other persons and entities, and public records. I hereby release all such persons, entities, employers, volunteer programs, references, institutions, agencies and the City from any and all liability arising from their giving or receiving information about my employment history, academic credentials, qualifications, reputation, driving record, and criminal record.  A photocopy of this release can be used for all purposes.    
 
I understand that successful completion of a background check is a qualification for certain volunteer positions with the City.  Once an active volunteer, I understand that if I am charged with any felony offense, or convicted of any crime, whether the offense allegedly occurred on duty or off duty, I must report the charges to my City supervisor immediately following notice of charges.  

 
I understand that any false answers or misleading statements, as well as misrepresentations by omission made by me as part of my application, will be sufficient for rejection of my application or for my immediate discharge should one be discovered after I have started volunteer activities.   
 
I understand that nothing in this volunteer application, in the City's statement of personnel policies, or in my communication with any City employee or official is intended to create an employment contract between the City and me. Accordingly, either the City or I may terminate my at-will volunteer status at any time with or without cause or notice. I understand that I will not be paid or receive any other remuneration for my services as a volunteer with the City.    
 
I understand that the City will provide excess accident medical insurance in the event that I am injured while acting as a City volunteer. This insurance coverage has a limit of $10,000 and has other limitations and exclusions. I may obtain additional information concerning the accident insurance policy from the City's Risk Management Department. I understand that the City will not provide any other coverage for injury to me, and I am not eligible for Workers’ Compensation coverage.    
 
I hereby represent that I am over the age of eighteen (18) years and that I wish to provide volunteer services to the City of Fort Collins.  I understand that, depending on my assignments as a volunteer, I may be exposed to risks and hazards that could result in property damage, bodily injury, or death, including but not limited to: outdoor activities on wet, rough or rocky terrain; approaching, ascending, descending and traversing hiking trails; exposure to weather, plants, animals and other outdoor hazards; physical exertion; transportation in a City vehicle; and working with and around tools and dangerous equipment. I am aware of the risks and hazards inherent in my participation as a volunteer and, recognizing those risks and hazards, I hereby request to provide volunteer services. 

   

I will not drive a vehicle to conduct City business unless authorized to do so by my City supervisor. I understand that I must report all traffic violation citations received while driving on City business, or any suspension or revocation of my driver’s license, to a City supervisor immediately.  Prior to conducting any City business in my automobile, I will secure and maintain all State of Colorado insurance requirements and hold a valid Driver’s License any time I conduct City business in my automobile. 

           

Photo Release 

City staff or other volunteers may take photos of volunteer activities for City marketing purposes unless a volunteer provides written notification to the City that he or she does not authorize use of volunteer’s photos for this purpose. 

 
Handbook Acknowledgement  

I agree to abide by the procedures outlined in the Volunteer Handbook while volunteering at the City of Fort Collins. The Handbook can be found on the VSP Website

I further acknowledge and agree that while volunteering for the City of Fort Collins I will not be an agent, servant or employee of the city, will not be entitled to any wages or compensation of any sort, and will not be covered by the city’s employee benefits, including worker’s compensation. Further, nothing in the Volunteer Handbook shall be construed to create an employment relationship of any nature whatsoever. 

 


Parent/Guardian Release for Minor

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