CPW Area Wildlife Biologist (WILDLIFE MANAGER III) Lamar, CO

Full Job Description

• 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.

The purpose of the work unit is to gather, evaluate and summarize data and observations on terrestrial wildlife and habitat resources.

This work unit develops and participates in the implementation of recommendations consistent with CPW’s Strategic Plan, State Wildlife Action Plan, other pertinent federal and state planning documents, and direction provided by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for the wise stewardship of wildlife populations and habitat in western Colorado.

Requirements

This position serves within CPW’s Terrestrial Branch, Species Conservation Team as an Area Wildlife Biologist (WM lll), based out of the Lamar Service Center.

This position formulates recommendations and the management options for management of wildlife species and habitats through the collection and analysis of pertinent wildlife data and observations as required by the operational and annual work plans.

This position also exists to design, implement and evaluate wildlife population monitoring studies and population inventories in the assigned area.

Specific tasks include population inventory, modeling, and monitoring of various terrestrial species, as well as the development and execution of various operational and implementation plans to manage wildlife populations and conserve/improve habitats on public and private lands.

Customer service and collaboration with other CPW staff, the public, external stakeholders, private landowners, and various land management agencies is also integral to this position.Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

Wildlife Management Recommendations

Formulates and presents wildlife management recommendations to CPW staff and external partners by collecting, compiling, analyzing, and interpreting biological data using a structured system of discussions, meetings, and written reports.

Provides support in the form of data, reports, and comments to other CPW employees.

Provides biological expertise through review of internal and external plans, environmental statements, and other decision documents.

Recognized as a wildlife expert for the local area, both within and outside CPW.Wildlife and Habitat Inventories

Develop, plan, and conduct wildlife and habitat inventories to guide local wildlife and habitat management decisions. Collect and analyze data to compile reports on wildlife abundance, demographics, and distribution and/or habitat quantity and quality.

Maintain Wildlife Populations by minimizing or mitigating impacts

Minimizes or mitigates impacts on wildlife and their habitats by providing biological expertise in the review and analysis of environmental statements, natural resource plans, and other decision documents proposed by other state, federal or local agencies, local municipalities, private companies and landowners.

Collaborates with other CPW work units to accomplish agency goals and objectives.Wildlife Management and Habitat Studies

Conducts or participates in wildlife and habitat management studies to gather biological data by planning studies, capturing, marking, monitoring wildlife populations and habitat, analyzing and interpreting results, completing reports, and delivering presentations.

Collaborates with other CPW work units to accomplish agency goals and objectives.Wildlife Habitat Management

Work with CPW Habitat Unit staff, Field Operations staff, and other CPW work units to develop habitat management programs and plans. Work with CPW procurement staff on contracts to implement habitat management plans on State Wildlife Areas, other public lands, and private lands.

Wildlife Population Management

Employs computer-based wildlife population models by interpretation and manipulation of data obtained from wildlife inventories, hunter harvest data, other field observations, and research results.

Develop and Implement Wildlife and Habitat Management Plans

Formulates management plans by compiling data, soliciting public and agency comments, negotiating options, analyzing results and writing final plans. Implements or adapts existing plans or programs to meet wildlife and habitat conservation objectives.

Educate and Inform the Public

Educates and informs the public on all facets of wildlife and habitat management through dissemination of wildlife information to hunters, wildlife constituents, schools, and public media including newspapers and radio/television.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Current or former Colorado Parks and Wildlife work or volunteer experience.
• Professional level writing, research, and communication skills.
• Experience managing wildlife projects/programs.
• Proficient in natural resources experimental design and statistical analyses.
• Knowledge of the theory and the application of wildlife inventory techniques and harvest management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite, R Software, and GIS software.
• A Master's degree in wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, natural resources, or related field.

• Ability to conduct sustained aerial surveys (>3-hour fuel loads) in small aircraft, including fixed-wing and rotor craft and low sensitivity to motion sickness.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Knowledge of wildlife management theory, applications, and techniques.
• Proficient at data collection, summary, and analyses.
• Able to work independently and in team settings.
• Strong writing skills with an understanding of legal and regulatory concepts and language.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with various and diverse interest groups and members of the public.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency using ArcGIS.

• This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
• Travel required approximately 12 nights per year. Travel to meetings and work site locations.

This role requires conducting surveys that involve transportation in helicopters and fixed-winged aircraft, therefore low sensitivity to motion sickness is mandatory to meet the needs of this role.

The ability for sustained flight time (10 hours with refueling breaks) in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft on wildlife surveys. These flights are low-level and involve banked turns.

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).

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

Additional Information

• 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.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services.

Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.

The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives 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..

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.