What are the responsibilities and job description for the CPW WILDLIFE MANAGER III / Wildlife Damage Specialists (Garfield, Mesa or Grand County, CO) position at State of Colorado Job Opportunities?
Department Information
A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
This position has been extended and is now set to close 03/31/2025
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 Northwest regions work units implement the goals and objectives of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s strategic long-range and operation plan to accomplish the Colorado Legislative mandate of protecting, preserving, managing, and enhancing the State’s wildlife resources.
Description of Job
CPW is statutorily liable for certain damages caused by big game (pursuant to Article 3 of Title 33 C.R.S) and damages to livestock caused by wolves (pursuant to Article 2 of Title 33 C.R.S). The primary purpose of these positions is to respond to, investigate, and resolve damage caused by wildlife for which the state is liable (such as livestock depredations), to arbitrate CPW’s liability for damages, and to reconcile any damage claims submitted as a result of those damages.
These positions will also function to support CPW staff, private landowners, and agricultural producers by representing CPW at various stakeholder meetings across the Region/Areas and providing technical assistance to landowners and livestock owners regarding livestock depredations and CPW compensation programs while working with those owners to develop wildlife damage mitigation plans, wolf-livestock conflict site vulnerability assessments both proactive and reactive, to reduce wildlife-agricultural conflicts within the Region/Areas. A product of these positions will be technical damage experts who will proactively work to resolve potential and immediate wildlife damage conflicts within the region/area. Further, this position will be the project lead in coordinating efforts across agencies and NGOs working on wolf-livestock conflicts, ensuring that the level of response to conflict is orchestrated using all available resources.
Depending on where the position is located and the primary type of damage at those locations, the duties of each position may focus on general damage or on a specific type of damage (such as livestock depredations) at the discretion of the position’s supervisor.
Specific duties include but are not limited to:
These positions will also function to support CPW staff, private landowners, and agricultural producers by representing CPW at various stakeholder meetings across the Region/Areas and providing technical assistance to landowners and livestock owners regarding livestock depredations and CPW compensation programs while working with those owners to develop wildlife damage mitigation plans, wolf-livestock conflict site vulnerability assessments both proactive and reactive, to reduce wildlife-agricultural conflicts within the Region/Areas. A product of these positions will be technical damage experts who will proactively work to resolve potential and immediate wildlife damage conflicts within the region/area. Further, this position will be the project lead in coordinating efforts across agencies and NGOs working on wolf-livestock conflicts, ensuring that the level of response to conflict is orchestrated using all available resources.
Depending on where the position is located and the primary type of damage at those locations, the duties of each position may focus on general damage or on a specific type of damage (such as livestock depredations) at the discretion of the position’s supervisor.
Specific duties include but are not limited to:
Investigate reported wildlife damages and resolve/reconcile claims filed as a result of those damages
Respond to and investigate reports of damage caused by wildlife, recommend strategies/techniques to prevent or minimize damages from continuing, and resolve/finalize wildlife damages claims submitted as a result of those investigations.
Prevent or minimize future wildlife damages by recommending a variety of strategies, techniques, and prevention materials while maintaining inventories of damage prevention materials that are stored in the Region/Area.
Prevent or minimize wildlife damage by employing and evaluating a variety of prevention techniques (hazing, deterrents, prevention materials, hunts, kill permits, etc.), prepare cooperative wildlife damage mitigation plans or proactive/reactive site vulnerability assessments (where excessive wolf damage is occurring and is expected to continue to occur) to minimize future damages. Monitor and maintain accurate inventories/records of damage prevention materials (i.e. apiary stashes, pyros, elk panels, etc.) stored or controlled by the Area and requests additional materials. This includes being the subject matter expert on range rider programs, carcass removal programs and coordinating all resources available to lead projects and level of agency response to wolf depredations.
Represent CPW within Region/Areas in various public forums, multi-agency meetings, and agricultural stakeholder meetings
Meet regularly with representatives from various local stakeholder groups to discuss wildlife damage prevention/minimization strategies and CPW compensation programs, engage individual agricultural owners to inform them of CPW compensation/prevention programs, attend monthly and bi-annual multi-agency livestock depredation meetings, and represent the Region/Areas by preparing and providing legal written and oral expert testimony in court cases and/or Commission hearing proceedings.
Develop relationships with agricultural associations, private landowners, livestock producers, wolf advocates, NGOs, and other state and federal government agencies.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Six (6) years of relevant experience in Wolf Damage Investigations on Livestock, wolf-livestock conflict minimization, ranch (livestock) management and operations including operations and livestock records keeping, Agriculture Business or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position
OR
A combination of related education in Wildlife Management, Ecology, Zoology/Animal Sciences, Agricultural Science (Ag business) or an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years
Preferred Qualifications
- Current or former State experience relevant to this position
- Colorado POST certification is not required but would be beneficial
- 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, camping, wilderness first aid.
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Ability to safely operate 4WD vehicles, all terrain vehicles and use of trailers.
Experience with using horses/mules in the backcountry. - Strong written skills with an understanding of legal and regulatory concepts and language
- Knowledge of CPW’s big game and wolf damage prevention and compensation programs
- Knowledge of non-lethal conflict minimization techniques for ungulates and carnivores
- Knowledge or experience of agricultural business and ranching operations
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Experience with Wolf-Livestock conflict minimization
- Predator Damage Investigations (emphasis on wolf damage)
- Experience with wildlife or livestock necropsies
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Experience with public speaking/presenting and/or facilitating meetings
- Knowledge of or experience with working in outdoor conditions, including principles of safety in the outdoors, camping, wilderness first aid.
- Ability to safely operate 4WD vehicles, all terrain vehicles and use of trailers.
- Experience with non-lethal conflict minimization techniques for wolf-livestock conflict OR Experience in Wolf-livestock Depredation Investigations
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
- On Call -At the discretion of Region/Area
- Use, Handling or Exposure to hazardous materials- CPW issued pyrotechnic as well as handling dead and decaying livestock and wildlife carcasses.
- Use of Firearms or other weapons -Non-lethal deterrents such as rubber buckshot, bean bags and cracker shells.
- Travel throughout the region including overnight. Some multi-day assignments out of region and/or out of state possible.
- This position will be located in Garfield, Mesa or Grand County.
- 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.
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.
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.
