CPW Wildlife Technician IV - Hartsel, CO.

State of Colorado; Colorado; On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Dental

PERA retirement plans

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Wellness programs

FSAs

HSAs

Holidays & Leave

Remote-work options

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking a Property Technician to manage and protect State Wildlife Area properties, coordinate habitat improvements, and maintain facilities. The role involves collaboration with district managers, biologists, and partners to implement plans that support CPW’s mission across multiple SWA tracts, including Spinney SWA and related properties.

The position emphasizes operational planning, budget work plans, and independent as well as team-based work to maintain

Job description

Department Information

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 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.

The work unit exists to implement the goals and objectives of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s strategic long-range and operational plans to accomplish the Legislative mandate of protecting, preserving, managing, and enhancing the State’s wildlife resources in the geographical area comprised of Area 1 in the NE Region (Park, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Jefferson Counties).

Description Of Job

The position exists to manage, enhance, and protect recreational opportunities, infrastructure, and wildlife habitat on State Wildlife Areas (SWA), including Spinney SWA, Charlie Myers, 63 Ranch, Badger Basin SWA, Knight Imler SWA, and Mud Springs unit ot the James Mark Jones SWA, and other properties as needed for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the constituents of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The technician is responsible for working cooperatively with district wildlife managers, area wildlife managers, assistant area wildlife managers, Tech V’s, other technicians, biologists, and partners to identify and implement habitat improvement projects, implement, improve, and manage infrastructure, and perform a wide variety of other wildlife-related responsibilities. This position is responsible for the routine maintenance of state wildlife areas, area equipment, and other facilities/equipment within the area as needed. This position will also develop and implement operational plans, budgets, work plans, and master management plans for SWAs. The position will work independently and/or collaboratively to achieve the goals and objectives in the CPW’s Strategic Plan.

Property Management/Habitat Enhancement

This position is responsible for the management of CPW's State Wildlife Area (SWA) properties: Spinney SWA, Charlie Myers, 63 Ranch, Badger Basin SWA, Knight Imler SWA, and Mud Springs unit ot the James Mark Jones SWA,. These properties include a variety of habitat types such as conifer, aspen, riparian, meadows, and river corridors. The position cooperatively develops and implements habitat improvements, five-year maintenance, and legal compliance plans by assessing the SWAs’ deficiencies. Determines project priority in accordance with planning documents. Refers to professional resources and consults professionals on specific project needs. Administers all agricultural leases on SWAs. Coordinate all crews and contractors, including, but not limited to: seasonal and temporary employees, volunteers, youth crews, convict labor, NGO projects, and weed control projects.

The Hartsel Property Technician 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, timber management, wetland management, grazing management, and snow moving/management. The position is responsible for the maintenance of State facilities and equipment. This position will also develop and implement operation plans, budgets, work plans, and master management plans for the State Wildlife Area tracts in its purview and work independently to achieve the goals and objectives in these and in CPW’s guiding documents.

Maintenance

Develop and maintain property facilities to include fencing, signing, parking lots and access points, bridges, roads, toilets, water manipulation devices, dams, and buildings. Use and maintain vehicles, tools, and equipment to include heavy equipment, farm machinery, welders, and large power tools. Work with HPP and Game Damage to maintain supplies, including the yard, equipment and buildings. Works with engineers, AWM, and the direct supervisor to assess, describe, and prioritize capital and equipment needs for the property.

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, investigation, citation issuance, check stations and education. Including checking hunting and fishing licenses on and off SWAs.

Customer Service

Provide customer service for users of the State Wildlife Areas, especially Charlie Myers SWA. This SWA is very busy, with heavy use. Talk to users about regulations and answer questions. Occasionally, will support the Area 1 office with customer service at the Northeast Regional Service Center.

Administrative Responsibilities

Maintain all pertinent and 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 qualifications in chemical application for weeds. Administers different agricultural leases on State Wildlife Areas.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Experience Only

Four (4) years of relevant 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.

Education And Experience

A combination of related education in 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. and/or relevant experience in wildlife management, conservation biology, ecology, wildlife biology, natural resource management, farming or agriculture or an occupational field of related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years.

You must adequately demonstrate your experience in your application as it relates to the duties of this position. No formal college education is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience is considered.
• Experience in 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.
• Knowledge of or experience with working in outdoor conditions, including principles of safety in the outdoors.

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.
• Experience operating heavy equipment, OHVs, using power tools, etc.
• Knowledge of basic ecological principles, habitat types, habitat manipulation strategies, and plant and animal identification.
• Position will be required to occasionally work inconsistent hours, including weekends and some holidays, primarily for law enforcement.
• Commissioned Wildlife Technicians have passed physical and psychological testing and are Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Level 1 peace officers. They have a working knowledge of current fish and wildlife laws and regulations. The Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board documents and manages the training and certification of all active peace officers and is administered through the Attorney General’s office.
• Exposure to combustible fuels, herbicides, weed spraying, etc.
• Single and overnight travel throughout the state at times.
• Experience with various tools, OHV, farm equipment, machinery, welders, etc.

Conditions of Employment

• State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• 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).
• Ability to meet annual agency law enforcement training requirements.
• IMPORTANT - Federal law maintains a prohibition of illegal drugs. If you have used marijuana in the 12 months preceding your employment and/or used any illegal drugs in the 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
• 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, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who:
• 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
• All commissioned agency wildlife officers maintain a federal commission under the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Some wildlife is migratory or federally listed (i.e. waterfowl, wolves). There are times where state wildlife officers may work with the USFWS on enforcing/managing this wildlife.
• 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