What are the responsibilities and job description for the CPW Program Management II/Water Resources Team Manager (Denver, CO) position at State of Colorado?
Department Information
OPEN TO STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY
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
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 Water Resources Team (WRT) has several programmatic areas of responsibility: water resource and water right portfolio protection, management and development; water quality; recreational water use; and instream flow. The WRT exists to integrate all matters of water quality and water quantity (water rights management) and to provide policy direction for statewide consistency in these programmatic areas. The WRT is responsible for development, acquisition and protection of water, water rights, and interests in water for the benefit of statewide fish and wildlife management and water-based recreational activities at state parks; the development of instream flow recommendations for submission to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB); the development of position statements (testimony) on water quality matters before the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); collaboration and partnerships with external entities to monitor, protect and restore aquatic resources; the coordination of water quality data acquisition by WRT personnel and personnel within other sections of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), various local, state, federal agencies, industry and non-profits; the coordination and development of comments on water resource development projects undergoing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review; and other matters involving water resource development and protection as directed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and CPW leadership.
Description Of Job
This position manages, directs, and supervises a staff of nine (9) water resource professionals with programmatic responsibilities for water resource and water right protection, instream flow, water quality, recreational water uses, and statewide coordination of water project mitigation and the development of fish and wildlife mitigation plans for water projects.
Specific Duties Include But Are Not Limited To
Supervision
This position is responsible for the overall supervision of nine (9) full-time positions and a variable number of additional temporary employees within the Water Resources Team. The WRT Manager directs staff assignments and supervises WRT employees (hiring, scheduling, performance reviews, timesheet approvals, and corrective actions). The Manager maintains close communications regarding WRT staff performance with their supervisor. The position disseminates relevant information to supervisees.
Budget Management
The WRT Manager is responsible for the administration, control, and oversight of the WRT’ annual budget. This position tracks expenditures for the unit’s budget and is the cost center’s main contact. The WRT Manager audits and reconciles associated reports. This position plans and prepares budgets for the work unit. The Manager oversees WRT staff's use of state credit cards. The Manager is responsible for learning and using relevant functions in the statewide accounting system, CORE. This position ensures that the WRT follows the state fiscal rules. With relevant WRT Staff, this position advises the Financial Services Branch in its management and oversight of the Water Acquisition Funding Plan.
Program Management
The WRT Manager oversees overall WRT program planning, design, management, and development. The Manager oversees staff actions relating to water quality, water rights, water project mitigation, instream flows, and coordination with other state agencies and DNR divisions, including the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Division of Water Resources. The WRT Manager is responsible for coordinating and advising CPW in developing statewide policy in all matters within the WRT’ purview. The WRT Manager also plays an important role in overseeing the work of the four regional water specialists. The Manager provides regular feedback regarding the regional water specialists’ job performance to their supervisors, including detailed documentation of significant performance issues, if any exist.
The position also oversees the WRT’ projects management, including the formation and maintenance of contracts with external entities (e.g., the River Watch program vendor, water resource consultant contracts, water purchase and lease agreements, etc.).
Natural Resource Damages Trustee Representative
The WRT Manager is the “Trustee Representative” to the Executive Director of the DNR in their capacity as a Natural Resource Damages (NRD) Trustee. The position oversees the Water Quality Program Coordinator and the Water Rights Program Administrator, who act as Trustee staff for the DNR Trustee. With Trustee staff from CPW and other departments, the WRT Manager helps coordinate the recovery of NRD funds under the federal CERLA and OPA statutes and helps award recovered monies to restore natural resources. The Manager and Trustee staff brief the Executive Director prior to NRD Trustee Meetings, which are held about once every quarter. The position and DNR Trustee staff act as project managers to award any recovered NRD funds held by DNR (e.g., the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Foundation Fund).
Represent CPW in Policy Discussions
In close coordination with CPW leadership, the WRT Manager represents CPW in policy-level interactions with federal and state agencies (e.g., Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Division of Water Resources, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and numerous leaders representing water users across Colorado. The position develops related position proposals, seeks input from interested CPW staff, and briefs leadership prior to representing the agency to external entities.
Other Duties As Assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Nine (9) years of relevant experience in wildlife management, outdoor recreation, public engagement, natural sciences, social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology, human dimensions), policy, planning, public administration, communications, law, biology, ecology, environmental science, climate resilience, or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.
OR
A combination of related education in wildlife management, outdoor recreation, public engagement, natural sciences, social sciences (sociology, psychology, human dimensions), policy, planning, public administration, communications, law, biology, ecology, environmental science, climate resilience and/or relevant experience in an occupation closely related to the work assigned equal to nine (9) years.
Preferred Qualifications
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
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 an accommodation, please contact 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.
OPEN TO STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY
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 .
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 Water Resources Team (WRT) has several programmatic areas of responsibility: water resource and water right portfolio protection, management and development; water quality; recreational water use; and instream flow. The WRT exists to integrate all matters of water quality and water quantity (water rights management) and to provide policy direction for statewide consistency in these programmatic areas. The WRT is responsible for development, acquisition and protection of water, water rights, and interests in water for the benefit of statewide fish and wildlife management and water-based recreational activities at state parks; the development of instream flow recommendations for submission to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB); the development of position statements (testimony) on water quality matters before the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); collaboration and partnerships with external entities to monitor, protect and restore aquatic resources; the coordination of water quality data acquisition by WRT personnel and personnel within other sections of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), various local, state, federal agencies, industry and non-profits; the coordination and development of comments on water resource development projects undergoing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review; and other matters involving water resource development and protection as directed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and CPW leadership.
Description Of Job
This position manages, directs, and supervises a staff of nine (9) water resource professionals with programmatic responsibilities for water resource and water right protection, instream flow, water quality, recreational water uses, and statewide coordination of water project mitigation and the development of fish and wildlife mitigation plans for water projects.
Specific Duties Include But Are Not Limited To
Supervision
This position is responsible for the overall supervision of nine (9) full-time positions and a variable number of additional temporary employees within the Water Resources Team. The WRT Manager directs staff assignments and supervises WRT employees (hiring, scheduling, performance reviews, timesheet approvals, and corrective actions). The Manager maintains close communications regarding WRT staff performance with their supervisor. The position disseminates relevant information to supervisees.
Budget Management
The WRT Manager is responsible for the administration, control, and oversight of the WRT’ annual budget. This position tracks expenditures for the unit’s budget and is the cost center’s main contact. The WRT Manager audits and reconciles associated reports. This position plans and prepares budgets for the work unit. The Manager oversees WRT staff's use of state credit cards. The Manager is responsible for learning and using relevant functions in the statewide accounting system, CORE. This position ensures that the WRT follows the state fiscal rules. With relevant WRT Staff, this position advises the Financial Services Branch in its management and oversight of the Water Acquisition Funding Plan.
Program Management
The WRT Manager oversees overall WRT program planning, design, management, and development. The Manager oversees staff actions relating to water quality, water rights, water project mitigation, instream flows, and coordination with other state agencies and DNR divisions, including the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Division of Water Resources. The WRT Manager is responsible for coordinating and advising CPW in developing statewide policy in all matters within the WRT’ purview. The WRT Manager also plays an important role in overseeing the work of the four regional water specialists. The Manager provides regular feedback regarding the regional water specialists’ job performance to their supervisors, including detailed documentation of significant performance issues, if any exist.
The position also oversees the WRT’ projects management, including the formation and maintenance of contracts with external entities (e.g., the River Watch program vendor, water resource consultant contracts, water purchase and lease agreements, etc.).
Natural Resource Damages Trustee Representative
The WRT Manager is the “Trustee Representative” to the Executive Director of the DNR in their capacity as a Natural Resource Damages (NRD) Trustee. The position oversees the Water Quality Program Coordinator and the Water Rights Program Administrator, who act as Trustee staff for the DNR Trustee. With Trustee staff from CPW and other departments, the WRT Manager helps coordinate the recovery of NRD funds under the federal CERLA and OPA statutes and helps award recovered monies to restore natural resources. The Manager and Trustee staff brief the Executive Director prior to NRD Trustee Meetings, which are held about once every quarter. The position and DNR Trustee staff act as project managers to award any recovered NRD funds held by DNR (e.g., the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Foundation Fund).
Represent CPW in Policy Discussions
In close coordination with CPW leadership, the WRT Manager represents CPW in policy-level interactions with federal and state agencies (e.g., Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Division of Water Resources, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and numerous leaders representing water users across Colorado. The position develops related position proposals, seeks input from interested CPW staff, and briefs leadership prior to representing the agency to external entities.
Other Duties As Assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Nine (9) years of relevant experience in wildlife management, outdoor recreation, public engagement, natural sciences, social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology, human dimensions), policy, planning, public administration, communications, law, biology, ecology, environmental science, climate resilience, or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.
OR
A combination of related education in wildlife management, outdoor recreation, public engagement, natural sciences, social sciences (sociology, psychology, human dimensions), policy, planning, public administration, communications, law, biology, ecology, environmental science, climate resilience and/or relevant experience in an occupation closely related to the work assigned equal to nine (9) years.
Preferred Qualifications
- Current or former State experience relevant to this position
- Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience
- Experience with water rights, water law, water project development & water quality
- Experience with planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluating programs and projects
- Experience with supervision of employees
- Experience with project/program management
- Knowledge of Colorado water issues and stakeholders
- Ability to work independently and take initiative by using critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills to identify solutions for internal staff, external partners/stakeholders, or program challenges
- Ability to establish relationships through interpersonal skills, coaching/mentoring, and collaboration with partners/stakeholders
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills and demonstrated ability to translate complex concepts into accessible, audience-specific materials
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate through multiple mediums (e.g., email, phone, website, in person, etc)
- High attention to detail
- Being reliable and punctual
- Ability to perform under pressure and on deadline
- Experience with Microsoft Office and internet research
- State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
- Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
- Positions must be able travel overnight approximately 1-2 nights per month, usually within the State of Colorado.
- 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).
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.
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 an accommodation, please contact 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.
