ARIZONA STATE PARKS AND TRAILS

Connecting people with the outdoors and history of Arizona to build a lifetime of memories.
Arizona State Parks and Trails is the leader in sustainable outdoor recreation for current and future generations.
To learn more about Arizona State Parks and Trails, visit our web site at azstateparks.com.
Arizona State Parks and Trails protect and preserves more than 30 state parks and natural areas. The agency also includes the statewide trails program, outdoor-related grants program, the State Historic Preservation Office, as well as the Off-Highway Vehicle Program, and more. With parks located across the state, the agency strives to make outdoor recreation accessible and available to everyone.

Address:  101 East Roper Lake Road, Safford, AZ 85546

Salary: $20.00 - $22.00 / per hour 

Grade: 17

Closing Date: June 19, 2026

This Park Ranger Senior position is a split-site role serving both Dankworth Pond State Park and Roper Lake State Park. From September through May, the position performs regular ranger duties at Roper Lake as a primary function, supporting daily operations, visitor services, and public safety at that facility. Year-round, and as the primary focus from June through August, the position serves as the operational lead and program driver at Dankworth Pond. Core Dankworth responsibilities include park oversight, special events planning and execution, trail maintenance and development, interpretive signage design and installation, and coordination with the Bureau of Land Management on shared land and resource management priorities. This position works under minimal supervision and is expected to exercise strong independent judgment, creative program development, and proactive planning across both sites.

Duties include but are not limited to:

- Roper Lake State Park/Ranger Duties (September through May): Perform regular Park Ranger Senior duties at Roper Lake State Park as part of the facility's operational rotation. Responsibilities include patrolling the facility, staffing the contact station and visitor center as needed, enforcing park rules and applicable statutes, responding to visitor inquiries and incidents, supporting special programs and events, assisting with maintenance and janitorial needs, and contributing to the general safety and function of the park. This position coordinates closely with Roper Lake park staff and management to ensure seamless coverage and consistent service delivery across the shared facility.

- Park Oversight and Operations Management: Serve as the operational lead at Dankworth Pond, ensuring the facility is safe, compliant, and visitor-ready. Patrol the park regularly to identify and address maintenance, safety, and rule-compliance issues. Coordinate with Roper Lake staff on shared entrance fee processing,

- BLM Partnership and Inter-Agency Coordination: Serve as the primary point of contact for the Bureau of Land Management on issues affecting Dankworth Pond and the surrounding landscape. Coordinate on shared trail corridors, adjacent land use, natural resource concerns, and collaborative planning efforts. Maintain a productive working relationship with BLM field staff, attend relevant coordination meetings, and document agreements and joint projects for continuity.

- Special Events Planning and Execution: Develop and coordinate special events that connect the community to Dankworth Pond, including wildlife programs, fishing events, birding walks, and heritage education activities tied to the Dankworth Village site. Manage event logistics from concept through wrap-up, including permitting, volunteer recruitment and coordination, work group scheduling, and post-event evaluation. Serve as the primary coordinator for volunteer programs and community work groups, building lasting relationships with individuals and organizations that extend the park’s capacity for stewardship and outreach. Ensure events and community engagement efforts reflect the park’s identity and serve a broad and inclusive audience.

- Interpretive Signage Development and Installation: Plan, design, and oversee the installation of interpretive signage throughout the park, including trail markers, wildlif