CPW DISTRICT WILDLIFE MANAGER TRAINEE.

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Wellness programs

FSAs

HSAs

Paid time off

Job summary

Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeks entry-level District Wildlife Manager Trainee to join the Field Services Unit, supporting wildlife operations and enforcement.

Upon POST certification, you will assume duties as a District Wildlife Manager with classroom and field training focused on wildlife management and public safety. A two-year district assignment is required.

Qualifications

• Four years of relevant biology/environmental science experience or related biology-based work.
• Combination of related education and experience equal to four years.
• Transcripts must be attached if using education to meet qualifications.
• Preparation to obtain POST certification and pass background checks.

Responsibilities

• Attend POST-certified academy and become Colorado Peace Officer after training.
• Learn wildlife area operations, laws, rules, and field techniques.
• Disseminate wildlife conservation information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Enforce wildlife laws and investigate violations.
• Remain assigned to a district for at least two years.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Customer service

Mentoring others

Public speaking / facilitating

Wildlife management knowledge

Team work

Outdoor safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural resources or related field

Job description

Department Information

CPW is hosting a Park Ranger and District Wildlife Manager Hiring Q&A session Sept. 10th at 6:00 p.m. MDT. More information regarding this position can be found at the CPW Steps to Becoming an Officer website.

Position Opening

Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. This position has opened to receiving applications until the closing date.

About Colorado Department of Natural Resources

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.

Benefits and Perks

• Medical, Vision and Dental plans (learn more about the wonderful Benefits the State of Colorado has to offer here )
• 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 Mission

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.

Description Of Job

This position functions at an entry level training classification into the Wildlife Manager series:

• Year one Working Title: "District Wildlife Manager Trainee"
• Years two and three Working Title: "District Wildlife Manager"

As a District Wildlife Manager Trainee (DWM), this position attends a Colorado POST certified law enforcement academy and at the successful completion of this training, is certified as a Colorado Peace Officer in accordance with the official duties and authority of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. After certification, additional training incorporates classroom education and field exercises that provide knowledge and practical experience to optimize successful performance in the role and support career progression. DWM Trainees work within the Field Services Unit and are trained in CPW wildlife area operations, application of the State's laws, rules, regulations, statutes, beginning supervision, and wildlife management techniques.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates offered a position must be willing and able to accept the assignment to a District and remain at that location for a minimum of two years.

Specific Learning Objectives

• Participates in POST training to achieve certification, is ultimately commissioned at the discretion of the Director of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and applies knowledge and techniques in a field setting.
• Disseminates and communicates information concerning wildlife conservation, wildlife management, data, regulations, public outreach, and conducts educational activities to include hunter education, safety, and Project WILD to internal and external stakeholders (schools, civic groups, sporting clubs, etc.).
• Understands responsibilities and expectations of a District Wildlife Manager and represents the division in a professional manner.
• Applies wildlife management techniques in a field setting.
• Applies natural resource management plans, stewardship plans, improvement projects, habitat assessments, inventories, and other field training inventories to protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems.
• Analyzes and studies characteristics of wildlife to include identity, origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, natural habitats, and the effects of environment and industry on wildlife.
• Under the leadership of a commissioned officer, enforces wildlife laws and regulations and investigates alleged wildlife law violations, seizes equipment and arranges for disposition of fish or game illegally taken or possessed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Four (4) years of relevant experience in biology, environmental science, fisheries/wildlife biology, conservation biology, wildlife management, zoology, ecology, ichthyology, and/or another closely related biology-based experience or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.

OR

A combination of related education in biology, environmental science, fisheries/wildlife biology, conservation biology, wildlife management, zoology, ecology, ichthyology, and/or another closely related biology-based degree and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years. Note: If you expect to graduate after 09/30/2026 and before 12/31/2026, please specify in the application's supplemental question.

Transcripts must be submitted at the time of application as a document uploaded to your application if you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications. Please be advised that if your transcripts are not attached and you do not meet the substitution criteria described below, you will be removed from consideration and you would need to submit a new application before the closing date/time with your transcripts to move forward in the consideration process. Note: If you expect to graduate after 09/30/2026 and before 12/31/2026, please specify in the application's supplemental question.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Qualifications

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience providing customer service
• Experience leading/mentoring others
• Experience with public speaking/presenting and/or facilitating meetings
• Knowledge of or experience with Wildlife Management techniques and/or principles
• Ability or experience working in a team environment
• Knowledge of or experience with working in outdoor conditions, including principles of safety in the outdoors.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with at least a bachelor's degree in natural resources management, natural sciences, earth sciences, environmental science, biology, ecology, forestry, geology, range management, wildlife biology, wildlife management, zoology, ecology, ichthyology, and/or another closely related biology-based degree.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be willing and able to submit to, and pass a background investigation, which includes the following:
  • Felony convictions
  • Domestic Violence charges/convictions/restraining orders
  • Driving under the Influence/Impaired and/or boating under the Influence/Impaired convictions
  • Misdemeanor convictions that preclude being P.O.S.T certified as a Colorado Peace Officer.
  • Fingerprint submission and check
  • Polygraph
  • Moral turpitude
  • Suitability interview, and psychological examination (administered by a third party professional organization)
  • Drug Screening (administered by a third party professional organization).
  • Medical physical exam from a medical professional (administered by a third party professional organization).
• Must be able to wear a full duty uniform, including a ballistic vest, body-worn camera and a duty belt weighing approximately 20 pounds, for extended periods (up to 8 hours or more per shift).
• Must be willing and able to obtain a State of Colorado drivers' license no later than the first day of employment if selected for hire.
• IMPORTANT - Federal law maintains prohibition of illegal drugs. If you have used marijuana within the past 12 months preceding your employment and/or used any illegal drugs within the past 36 months preceding your employment you will be disqualified from the process and will not advance further.
• If you have been convicted of a felony or any domestic violence charge, and/or been convicted of any misdemeanors which preclude POST certification as a Colorado Peace Officer you will be disqualified from the process and will not advance further. Please see link: Decertifying Misdemeanors Colorado POST .
• If you receive a conditional job offer, you must pass the POST Academy and CPW's Field Training Program within the 12‑month probationary period.
• Candidates offered a position must be willing and able to accept the assignment to a District and remain at that location for a minimum of two years.
• 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 the applicant 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).
• Pursuant to the DNR‑120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive , any worker who will be expected to drive a State‑owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State‑owned vehicle.

To Be Compliant With The New Fleet Vehicle Policy

• Have an assigned State fleet vehicle
• Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position
• Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

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