FAQs

Q: What experience do you have in working with abrasive or difficult customers? How did you handle the situation?

A: I have had several situations where I had to working with an abrasive and difficult individuals. I've had to make contact with individuals who broke park regulations, while working at Lory State Park and Gateway Natural Area. Some instances could have been dog off leash or refusal to pay park fee. Most situations I handle by calmly addressing the individuals and inform them that their dog needs to be on leash or that the area they're parked in is a fee area. If they get abrasive or difficult, I usually will let them vent their frustrations and calmly explain to them that I understand their frustrations, but the park still has regulations that are set in place for a reasons. For instance, dogs need to be on leash for their protection and the protection of the wildlife in the area. Most situations resulted in the individual calming down and informing me that they understand and the situation is usually resolved. Only one situation at Gateway Natural Area resulted in me needing to contact the ranger to resolve the situation.

Q: What experience do you have in managing and overseeing park development projects, working with grants, purchasing equipment and/or obtaining permits?

A: I've assisted with the management, operations, maintenance, and development of Gateway Natural Area with the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department for about five years. Most overseeing of work was assisting with volunteer projects within the park, but with only two resident employees that work year around, much of the work done is completed by myself and the ranger. I have basic skills working with grants while I was the volunteer Vice President for the Larimer County Dive Rescue Team. As one of the primary employees at Gateway Natural Area, I did possess a purchasing card and have purchased equipment and supplies needed at the park on a regular basis. I have had some experience obtaining permits for events while working at Arkansas Tech University.

Q: How have you interacted with the public in the situations listed below?

Enforce rules and regulations
Educate about natural resource goals and projects
Respond to complaints.

A: 1. As a seasonal Park Ranger with Colorado State Parks, I enforced rules and regulations by educational contacts, verbal/written warnings, and citations. Working with the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas at Gateway Natural Area, I primarily enforced rules and regulations by verbal contact and educating the public on the parks rules and regs and why we have them.

2. I would educate the public on a regular basis about the workings of the park, why the park was established, what possible future development ideas are in the works, and how visitors could volunteer if they expressed interest.

3. When it comes to responding to complaints, I would speak with the individual to identify the problem. I would remedy the situation by documenting it, supplying answers and explanations that could help with resolving the issue, or seek out staff that had a better ability to resolve the complaint. I always take complaints seriously and always do my best to ensure that people are happy with their visit and that I will do anything I can to satisfy the visitor if a complaint should arise.

Q: Do you have experience working and handling wildlife?

A: Yes. Through my work and volunteer experience, I have working knowledge of how to handle and work with some wildlife species. Some species that I've worked with consist of Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, several birds of prey, reptiles, and aquatic species.

Q: What are your top strengths?

A: Based off strength find assessments, my top strengths are:

1. Learner

2. Input

3. Ideation

4. Relator

5. Includer

Q: Do you have a valid drivers license?

A: Yes, I currently have a valid class R Colorado drivers license.

Q: Do you have any traffic violations on your driving record?

A: No, I do not have any traffic violations on my motor vehicle records.

Q: Do you have experience with removing invasive plant species? What species do you have experience with and what means where used to remove them?

A: I do have experience with the removal of invasive plant species. Through my work with parks and natural areas agencies, I've done a significant amount of work pulling and digging up Leafy Spurge, Dalmatian Toadflax, and Canadian Thistle. By use of chainsaw, I've removed Siberian Elm and Russian Olive trees.

Q: How many total educational credits do you have?

A: I have a total of 185 college semester credits, and am currently pursuing a graduate degree.

Q: Are you red-card certified as a wildland firefighter?

A: Not currently. I have been a red-carded since 2009 and have maintained my certification until 2016, when it expired and I was not with any agency that I could get it renewed. I would be happy to re-certify though, should the situation need/require it.

Q: Do you have experience working with wildland firefighting equipment such as; pumps and hoses, drip torches, brush engines, and using wildland fire tools such as a Pulaski, McLeod, and etc?

A: Yes, through work with Larimer County Emergency Services and volunteering with the Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District, I have gained experience through training and in the field operations with all the listed wildland firefighting equipment.

Below are general questions I've been asked in interviews and applications. Following the question, you will see my general answer to the question. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.