CPW Wildlife Technician IV – Tamarack (Crook, CO)

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources is hiring a CPW Wildlife Technician IV for wildlife management and law enforcement in Crook, CO. Responsibilities include managing wildlife habitats, public safety, and recreation access. The role offers a flexible work schedule and remote-work options, along with benefits like medical plans, retirement plans, and paid leave. The department values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today – and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children.

We invite you to explore our website at https://dnr.colorado.gov/about-us to find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado’s natural resources for today – and tomorrow.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

In addition to offering rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:
• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

Our Mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.

Area 3 exists to perform wildlife management, education, law enforcement and public service duties in the six northeastern counties of the state. In the geographic area, the work unit manages State Wildlife Areas to provide quality wildlife habitat, and wildlife recreational opportunities. District Wildlife Managers, Wildlife Technicians, Biologists, Customer Service Representatives and Administrative Assistants work to provide these services to the public.

Description of Job

This position exists to manage wildlife, protect and enhance wildlife habitat, perform property maintenance, provide public wildlife recreation access, public safety, law enforcement, and public service particularly on State Wildlife Areas located in Area 3.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Law Enforcement by cooperation/communication with city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Protect people and natural resources by deterring, apprehending, and prosecuting violators through patrol, and investigation, citation issuance, check stations and public education. Enforce State and Federal laws and regulations with an emphasis on wildlife law enforcement. Compliance is gained by patrolling, investigations, license inspections, issuance of citations, case preparation and testifying in court, apprehending and arresting violators, assisting with check stations, special operations and providing education on laws and regulations. May be called to assist other law enforcement agencies in situations dealing with public health and safety and officer safety situations. Includes maintaining certification and proficiency with pistol, shotgun and rifle, arrest control and defensive tactics, and all mandatory annual law enforcement training and updates.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Assists in developing and implementing habitat improvements, five year maintenance, and legal compliance plans by assessing SWA’s deficiencies. Assists in determining project priority in accordance with the Long Range Plan and the regional and area work plans, referring to professional journals and research literature and consulting other wildlife professionals on specific project needs. Assists in administering all agricultural leases on state wildlife areas.

The position administers water and CPW water rights as needed following legal use of water guidelines and requirements.

This position is responsible for working cooperatively with District Wildlife Managers and biologists to identify and implement habitat improvement projects and a wide variety of other wildlife related responsibilities. This position is responsible for the routine maintenance of state wildlife areas, including irrigation, wetland management, noxious weed control and mitigation, and grazing management. This position will also develop and implement operation plans, budgets, work plans and master management plans for the SWA tracts in its purview and works independently to achieve the goals and objectives in these and in CPW’s guiding documents.

MAINTENANCE

The position is responsible for maintenance of state facilities, tools, machinery, and equipment. Develop and maintain property facilities to include fencing, signing, parking lot and access points, bridges, roads, toilets, water manipulation devices, and buildings. Use and maintain vehicles, tools, and equipment to include heavy equipment, farm machinery, welders, and large power tools. Work with Area staff to maintain the compound including the yard, equipment and buildings. Works with engineers and AWM to assess, describe, and prioritize capital and equipment needs for properties.

ADMINISTRATION

Maintain all pertinent informational records and property files; maintain tool, equipment and capital equipment inventory. Updates and maintains certification skills through attending conferences and training. Acquires goods and services while following appropriate purchasing and fiscal procedures. Process temporary personnel hiring and employment documents. Maintains technical knowledge and qualification in chemical application for weeds. Administers agricultural leases on State Wildlife Areas.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Provide customer service for users of the State Wildlife Areas. Talk to users about regulations and answer questions. Occasionally will provide support to the Area 3 office with customer service at the Brush Service Center.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications
At least four (4) years of work experience in wildlife management, conservation biology, ecology, wildlife biology, natural resource management, farming or agriculture or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position. You must adequately demonstrate your experience in your application as it relates to the duties of this position. No formal college education is required.

Substitutions
Appropriate education in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Biology, Aquatic Biology/Fishery Science/Aquaculture/Fishery Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, Outdoor Recreation, any science related degree or a related field of study will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications
• Current or former State experience relevant to this position
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work as a part of a team
• Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience is considered
• Experience collecting and processing a wide array of biological samples
• Experience managing detailed records and quality control of data
• Knowledge and abilities with wildlife habitat improvements, mitigations and manipulations
• Experience with farming practices, machinery, equipment and tools
• Experience with welding, fabrication and construction
• Experience managing wildlife resources, outdoor recreation areas, and wildlife habitat
• Experience with Colorado hunting and fishing

Required Competencies
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Strong level of written and oral communication skills
• Ability to use and operate computers and email
• Ability to move smoothly between highly variable tasks
• Attention to detail and quality assurance during sample processing
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to obtain and maintain position certifications
• Ability to run and maintain machinery and equipment

Conditions of Employment
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license if operating a State vehicle
• Position will be required to occasionally work inconsistent hours including weekends and some holidays primarily for law enforcement
• If the employee does not have a CDL they must be willing and able to obtain one
• Criminal and driving background check required
• Exposure to combustible fuels, herbicides etc.
• Occasional travel and overnight stays are required primarily for trainings
• Applicant must pass physical, psychological screening, drug test, background check and POST certification training to obtain a Wildlife Officer commission
• Experience with various tools, OHV, farm equipment, machinery, welders, etc.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position

(Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).

APPEAL RIGHTS

It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, if you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

The Assessment Process
All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.

Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement.

Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication.

This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one vacancy at this level and reporting location.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, at dnr_hr_employeebenefits@state.co.us

ADAAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request accommodation, please contact our Benefits Specialist at dnr_hr_employeebenefits@state.co.us at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

E-Verify

DNR uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Toll–Free Applicant Support – Technical Help

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon–Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues.