CPW Wildlife Disease Manager - Wildlife Manager IV - Fort Collins, CO

The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

 **This is a term-limited position. Employment is anticipated to last through SEPTEMBER 2031, contingent upon funding. The selected individual will be required to sign a waiver of retention rights, which means no rights to retain a state-classified position beyond the assignment. This position is eligible for full benefits**
 
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 Terrestrial Branch develops and implements strategies and programs to promote the informed management and conservation of Colorado’s terrestrial wildlife resources and their habitats. To conserve and perpetuate the terrestrial wildlife populations and their habitats for present and future generations. To provide an expert and measured approach to the management of Colorado’s wildlife and their habitats. Lead CPW in science-based terrestrial wildlife and habitat conservation. To conserve terrestrial wildlife populations and habitats for the continued sustainable use benefit and enjoyment of Colorado’s residents and visitors for present and future generations. To perpetuate robust and diverse wildlife populations and habitats creating and using best available science to inform conservation and management. 

Wildlife Health conducts disease monitoring and surveillance for all terrestrial wildlife species, as well as rigorous scientific-based original research deemed valuable to CPW in order to better understand and enhance the health, management, and conservation of Colorado’s terrestrial wildlife resources; the program also provides field and laboratory services and training to CPW staff, as well as captive wildlife research support and captive wildlife holding for other CPW research and management programs. 

This position leads statewide disease management efforts to conserve black-footed ferret and prairie dog populations, through collaboration with established Wildlife Health and Species Conservation programs.  Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
Leads and conducts statewide disease management effortsThis position leads and conducts statewide disease management efforts to conserve black-footed ferret and prairie dog populations.  Hire, train and supervise temporary staff to conduct disease management and other related field work. Consult with CPW staff in the Wildlife Health Program, Species Conservation units and Area Biologists to conduct plague management following policies established by higher management. Collaborate with landowners and other municipal, state and federal partners to coordinate and conduct disease management. Receive and maintain the required pesticide applicators license for reporting and supervising application of and applying general use and restricted use pesticides used in disease management programs. 
Leads the collection, analysis and reporting of disease management dataThis position leads the collection, maintenance, manipulation and analysis of spatial data (GIS) needed to conduct and report plague management. Lead the collection, manipulation and summary of plague management data and support or maintain a database for disease management data and generate an annual plague management program report. 
Assist with black-footed ferret and prairie dog management, survey and disease research effortsThis position will assist with black-footed ferret survey efforts, prairie dog colony mapping efforts, prairie dog population monitoring efforts, plague, prairie dog and black-footed ferret research efforts and vaccine bait manufacture.
Leads the management of budgets, purchasing agreements and contracts needed to support statewide disease management effortsThis position manages the budget and the development and maintenance of purchasing agreements and contracts in consultation with CPW staff in the Wildlife Health Program and Species Conservation units.
Other duties as assigned.Minimum Qualifications

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in Wildlife management, disease ecology, wildlife research or a field of study related to the work assignment.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education inNatural Resources, Wildlife Management, Biology, Ecology, Zoology/Animal Sciences or a field of study related to the work assignment including at least three years of professional experience in wildlife epidemiology, management, research, or an occupational field closely related to the work assigned to the position equal to seven (7) years.

Class Code: Wildlife Manager IV

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certification.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience conducting plague (or other disease) management.
• Experience with data management.

 Required Competencies

• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a wide variety of individuals and groups.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team utilizing shared resources.

 Conditions of Employment

•  **This is a term-limited position. Employment is anticipated to last through SEPTEMBER 2031, contingent upon funding. The selected individual will be required to sign a waiver of retention rights, which means no rights to retain a state-classified position beyond the assignment. This position is eligible for full benefits**
• Must be able to possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license.
• May be subject to background check. 
• This position requires routine statewide travel to conduct research activities, collect samples, and present research results.

• 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

• Typical schedule is during normal operating hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm 5 days per week.  Periodic evening/weekend work will be required.

• Receive and maintain Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certification.

• Receive and maintain the required pesticide applicators license for reporting and supervising application of and applying general use and restricted use pesticides used in disease management programs.
  • This position will be exposed to general and restricted use pesticides during active plague management activities. This position may also be exposed to infectious diseases (e.g., plague) while conducting normal work duties.
• 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.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.

• May fill multiple vacancies

A salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

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.

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 dnr_hr_employeebenefits@state.co.usat 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
The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program's Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. 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.   Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.