Job Information
State of Colorado CPW WILDLIFE MANAGER III / Southeast Land Use Specialist - (Colorado Springs, CO) in El Paso County, Colorado
CPW WILDLIFE MANAGER III / Southeast Land Use Specialist - (Colorado Springs, CO)
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CPW WILDLIFE MANAGER III / Southeast Land Use Specialist - (Colorado Springs, CO)
Salary
$63,624.00 - $82,716.00 Annually
Location
El Paso County, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
PMA 32097 06/24
Department
Department of Natural Resources
Division
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Opening Date
06/11/2024
Closing Date
7/2/2024 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, USA
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Cayla Phythian Cayla.Phythian@state.co.us
Salary Note
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
Hiring Pay Rate
Please note that all employees new to the State Personnel System are paid on a bi-weekly basis.
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Questions
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 (https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch) .
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (http://cpw.state.co.us/)
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 Southeast Region work unit is a major, geographical based organizational unit of the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW), essentially the Southeast quadrant of Colorado. The Southeast Region is responsible for administering and managing 8 state parks and 67 state wildlife areas and exists to provide outdoor recreation and wildlife management in the southeast region of Colorado. This unit manages regional public information, outreach, education, volunteers, and regional specialists managing water, energy and land use development.
Description of Job
This position exists to function as a region Land Use Specialist, a multi-disciplinary, fully-operational professional with little to no day-to-day supervision. This position serves as one of the region’s expert staff leads for reviewing, coordinating, and commenting of large-scale, complex, and often controversial land development proposals involving numerous stakeholders and multiple jurisdictions. The position collects, evaluates, formulates and coordinates CPW recommendations to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts to wildlife resources resulting from development activities. Examples include but are not limited to: coordinating with multiple CPW areas to develop recommendations for USFS Forest Plan and BLM Resource Management Plan revisions; large-scale (multi-CPW area) Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments; and landscape-scale developments such as ski areas, regional recreation trail systems, oil & gas developments, renewable energy projects, transmission lines, timber sales, water developments, grazing allotment permit renewals, commercial and residential developments, mines & gravel pits, railroads, highways and wildlife transportation projects.
Specific duties include but are not limited to:
Land Use Regulation
Apply theories, principles and practices of physical sciences and life sciences (e.g., geology, earth science, engineering, hydrology, soil science, botanical science, biology) in working with federal, state, and local agencies and industry to evaluate potential development proposals and land use change impacts, along with the relevant policy, law, and regulation and how those policies, regulations and laws can be used to further the wildlife conservation mission of CPW:
Utilize knowledge, data, expertise, judgment and resourcefulness to interpret circumstances and establish guidance and best management practices for avoidance, minimization, and mitigation of adverse impacts to wildlife and habitats, including recommendations to protect, conserve and enhance land areas and their wildlife habitat resources that can be implemented by CPW and/or other regulatory agencies;
Review large-scale, complex, and often controversial land development proposals involving numerous stakeholders and multiple jurisdictions (such as travel management plans, resource management plans, forest plans, watershed plans, water developments, state or interstate highways, commercial developments, and other proposals similar in nature and scope) to determine potential impacts on wildlife and habitats through research, data collection, studies, analysis, etc.;
Guide and facilitate the land use commenting process at the regional level, prepare comments, and provide testimony during public hearings as needed;
Perform complex analyses of data and utilize knowledge of environmental laws and policies, environmental systems and wildlife management to formulate, guide, and coordinate recommendations to regulatory agencies to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to wildlife and habitats;
Coordinate and direct wildlife impact comments on Federal NEPA documents (EAs, EISs, RMPs, Forest Plans, etc.) utilizing guidelines related to land use on Federal lands within the region;
Monitor for compliance with permit guidelines which are governed by CPW or other agencies for which CPW has submitted recommendations as conditions of approval for an issued permit as well as for other applicable laws and regulations related to wildlife impacts (e.g., ECMC SB-181, Army Corps of Engineers 404 permits, SB-40, DRMS Mining Permits, highway development permits, county regulations, state engineering requirements).
Land Use Development Negotiation and Mitigation
Evaluates, plans, and implements natural resource protection, recovery, remediation and reclamation projects. In that regard, responsibilities will include:
Serve as one of the agency’s primary points of contact, often designated as a Cooperating Agency lead and expert for land use proposal review and assessments of habitat protection measures;
Formulate, compose, facilitate, guide and compile CPW’s recommendations for response to large-scale land development proposals;
Correspond and coordinate with a wide variety of state and federal land management agencies, permitting and regulatory agencies, local governments, private entities, landowners, CPW staff and public interest groups;
Evaluate the information collected to formulate a plan of action to mitigate impacts on the environment, wildlife and people who participate in wildlife activities, including determinations of what hazards exist, what resources need to be addressed, and recommending action to be taken against violators.
Conduct consultations related to SB-181 O&G Form 2A applications, including consultation with energy companies, federal, state, local, and tribal entities, and landowners on-site and coordination with other CPW field operations and biological personnel on energy development, and negotiation of site-specific mitigation measures with operators.
Land Use Development Resource
Serves as the land use expert for the region and performs outreach to the public and other agencies on protecting natural resources, habitat, and wildlife from environmental degradation as the result of land uses and development activities:
Develops and maintains expertise on impacts of development and recreation and related infrastructure; develops and maintains expertise on mitigation and best management practices to minimize impacts from development and recreation;
Develops species-specific best management practices (BMPs) for inclusion into CPW’s standardized comment table for impacts to wildlife and habitats. In many cases, these BMPs constitute CPW’s official position concerning land use disturbance and recommendations to avoid, minimize, and mitigate.
Develops recommendations regarding negotiation strategies to address wildlife-related land use issues;
Attends and participates in various meetings, committees, roundtables and working groups with government agencies and private interests as CPW’s representative on the impacts of land use and development on regional natural resources, wildlife, and habitats.
Provides testimony, presentations, and case studies on effective strategies and positive outcomes to staff, other agencies, and the public.
Helps maintain the regional database of land use resources including but not limited to, annotated literature bibliographies, training resources, presentation materials, draft comment letters/templates, and other relevant land use documents including MOUs, legislation, agency planning documents, and policy/guidance documents.
Mitigation Compliance Monitoring and Implementation
Oversees regional projects regarding land use impacts and remediation of such impacts:
Assesses the effectiveness of Wildlife Mitigation Plans (WMP) and mitigation commitments negotiated by CPW;
Monitors compliance by oil and gas operators with WMP obligations and permit conditions of approval;
Reviews mitigation plans and proposals to enforce compliance with applicable wildlife statutes and regulations aimed at protecting natural resources and the wildlife environment;
Implements CPW commitments in Wildlife Mitigation Plans;
Represents CPW to prevent environmental hazards caused by contractors or private corporations.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Six (6) years of relevant experience in Natural Resource Management 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, or another closely related science-based or biology-based degree and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years
Substitutions
- Additional appropriate education will substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
Current or former State experience relevant to this position
Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience
Strong written and oral communication skills
Experience providing customer service
Experience with public speaking/presenting and/or facilitating meetings
Understanding of local, state and federal planning processes
Ability or experience working collaboratively in a team environment
Knowledge of or experience with working in outdoor conditions, including principles of safety in the outdoors
Ability to safely operate 4WD vehicles
Required Competencies
Professional level writing, research and communication development skills and language
Excellent organizational and time management skills with a strong ability to prioritize across multiple projects
Conditions of Employment
State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
Frequent travel within Southeast Region and some statewide travel.
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 todocument 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 dnrhremployeebenefits@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 dnrhremployeebenefits@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 aboutE-Verify (http://www.dhs.gov/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.
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
Current and former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or who were deemed to have resigned without notice (Board Rule 7-5, Automatic Resignation) must disclose this information on the application.
I am not a current or former State of Colorado classified employee.
I am a current or former State of Colorado employee but have NEVER been disciplinarily terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or deemed to have resigned without notice (Board Rule 7-5, Automatic Resignation).
I am a current or former State of Colorado employee and have been disciplinarily terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or deemed to have resigned without notice (Board Rule 7-5, Automatic Resignation). NOTE: Failure to disclose this information and/or falsification of Application materials may result in being removed from consideration for this position.
02
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify you application from the current position (if not applicable, please enter "N/A"):
03
Do you currently have at least a degree in, biology, environmental science, fisheries/wildlife biology, conservation biology, wildlife management, zoology, ecology, ichthyology, or another closely related science-based or biology-based degree?
Yes
No
04
If you are using education to substitute for experience, please describe how your degree relates to this position. If not, please put N/A.
05
Please select which range most accurately reflects your years of professional experience in Natural Resource Management or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position:
0 to less than 1 year
1 year but less than 2 years
2 years but less than 3 years
3 years but less than 4 years
4 years but less than 5 years
5 years but less than 6 years
6 years or more
06
Please describe your experience in Natural Resources:
07
Please describe your experience with complex land use or development proposals involvingnumerous stakeholders and multiple jurisdictions. Include your specific responsibilitiesInclude where the experience was gained and include mm/yy to mm/yy. Statements of"See résumé" will not be accepted in lieu of a response:
08
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 since 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.
I acknowledge this receipt of this notice.
09
Please describe your experience related to providing written comments and analysiss with respect to wildlife management and/or land use development topics. Examples may include but are not limited to work associated with comment letters, articles, professional reports, school products, etc:
Required Question
Agency
State of Colorado
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