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Non-Classified Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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Non-Classified Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Salary

$195,000.00 - $215,000.00 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

PMA 00001 12/25

Department

Department of Natural Resources

Division

Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Opening Date

12/11/2025

Closing Date

12/31/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

6060 Broadway Denver CO 80216

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Sarah Bronikowski [email protected]

Salary Note

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

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 announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

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-usto 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://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs)

For more detailed information, please visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits)

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

Our Mission is to sustain and enhance 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 Director manages and supervises the activities of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) in pursuit of the mission.

Description of Job

The position serves as the Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as enacted by statute in 33-1-110, 33-9-103 and 33-10-109. The Director reports to the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and is the head of the division and is expected to exercise general supervisory authority over all activities, functions, and employees of the division. The Director’s main job responsibilities are 1) Planning and Leadership; 2) Policy Development and implementation ; 3) Personnel Management and Leadership and 4) Revenue and Budget planning and implementation. The Director plans, organizes, directs and manages the operations of Colorado Parks and Wildlife to achieve the agency mission and to ensure the most efficient, effective, and customer-focused delivery of products and services. The position is responsible for successful implementation of statutes, policies and directives issued by the DNR Executive Director and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.

The position devises and oversees implementation of long and short term strategies and plans to ensure mission fulfillment for CPW in the context of a changing climate and increasing risk of biodiversity loss. This responsibility includes leading the development and implementation of strategic and operational goals, objectives and strategies for natural resource monitoring, data collection, and management; park system sustainability; protection of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, marketing and education; funding and revenue generation; expense containment, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem health and conservation; wildlife management; conservation initiatives; land management; energy and other industry, public, and non-profit partnerships; and technology. The position plans, organizes, directs and manages the operations of the division to ensure the most efficient, effective, inclusive, and customer-focused delivery of products and services. The position works collaboratively with many diverse stakeholders, including other DNR Divisions, the Office of the Governor, the Executive Director’s Office, other Executive Agencies, the General Assembly, national wildlife and parks agencies and organizations, advocacy organizations, individual advocates, nonprofit organizations, private sector organizations, government agencies, and wildlife and outdoor recreation industry representatives.

The position is responsible for close and effective communication and coordination with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and advises the Commission on relevant data-driven programmatic policies which guide the division. The position is responsible for working closely with staff and the Commission to develop a variety of operational policies to ensure efficient, effective, and inclusive fiscal and human resources management, law enforcement, and program implementation. In coordination with the DNR Executive Director, the position defines, develops, and implements policy, budget management, and legislative issues and proposals.

The CPW Director reports to the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and oversees and supervises the activities of all employees of the division through managers responsible for implementing division programs, and develops performance standards and expectations for professionalism, ethics, accountability, and exemplary customer service. The position is responsible for making all staffing hiring and decisions, creating an environment of inclusion and belonging for all employees, planning and evaluating performance, authorizing new hires, and administering corrective and disciplinary actions as necessary. The CPW Director provides leadership to all division employees through modeling exemplary conduct, motivating employees, describing a future vision, providing clarity on overall prioritization of projects, and working collaboratively with employees and stakeholders to anticipate future trends as they relate to the mission of CPW.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas: public service, public administration or business administration, natural resources management, natural resources policy, organizational management, military leadership and management, or a field closely related to the mission of CPW.

AND

At least six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public, private, or non-profit administration or management including natural resource management and policy. At least two (2) years must have included experience as a second-level or higher manager in public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives.

Substitutions:

+ Appropriate education (bachelor’s, master’s or PHd degree from an accredited college or university in one of the above areas) will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

+ Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required general experience on a year-for-year basis, but not the two years of specific experience described above.

Note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume and/or cover letter will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. Please also note part-time work experience will be pro-rated.

Preferred Qualifications

+ At least six (6) years of progressive responsibility in a field related to parks and/or wildlife management, outdoor recreation, or public service

+ Extensive experience managing employees as part of a large, complex organization; providing leadership and direction; establishing strategies, goals and objectives; and leading multiple staff units

+ Demonstrated experience in network building and working with diverse stakeholders while navigating natural resource, parks and/or wildlife issues

+ Demonstrated experience, knowledge of and commitment to employee engagement and inclusion best practices

+ Demonstrated experience conducting on-the-ground work in parks management, wildlife management, outdoor recreation management, conservation or a related field

+ Experience leading organizations during transition or change, experience with crisis management, and experience with conflict resolution

Required Competencies

+ Resiliency in dealing with dynamic and challenging environments

+ Openness and ability to creatively explore all options and alternatives and to consider diverse perspectives

+ Outstanding leadership and managerial skills; demonstrated leadership within and outside of a complex organization

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills that build consensus and healthy organizational culture

+ Interpersonal skills that promote teamwork, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging

+ Ability to manage relationships with others

+ Interpersonal savvy and ability to build constructive working relationships and rapport with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders

+ Ability to analyze situations and make good decisions based on a mixture of knowledge, experience, wisdom, and judgment

+ Demonstrable diplomacy and tact, including the ability to defuse high tension situations

+ Experience working with a board, commission, or advisory committee

+ Possesses the scientific and social acumen necessary to be successful

+ Ability to work in a complex, often highly contentious, political and social environment

+ Proven experience managing a staff with diverse professional experience

+ Ability to problem solve, execute decisions and provide exceptional customer service

+ Strong listening and consultative skills

+ Knowledge of statutes, rules, policy and best practices related to parks and wildlife management

+ Ability to develop strategies for employee engagement and retention

+ Ethical competence and the ability to maintain confidentiality

+ Values and supports professional development opportunities

+ Excellent negotiation and consensus building skill

+ Recognize challenges and opportunities that require interagency collaboration and coordination and, to that end, enter into agreements as necessary to effectuate whole-of-government solutions

+ Understanding that the Agency serves all Coloradans, which is core to the mission of CPW

Conditions of Employment

+ Must successfully complete and pass background investigation as this position commissions law enforcement/ peace officers for the Division.

+ Must obtain or possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.

+ Work is primarily performed at 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216, however the selected candidate will travel extensively throughout Colorado multiple times a month, as well as out of state several times a year.

+ Pursuant to theDNR-120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W0g2QAGmusbXBJzL3HxhGitIZOEKnwhrFnx9GqVcQHA/preview?tab=t.0) , 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

+ 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).

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 may be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.

+ Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial minimum qualifications reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement.

+ Resumes and cover letters will be considered as part of the review process after the minimum qualification stage, therefore, please submit a resume and cover letter as attachments with your application.

+ 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 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.

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected] 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 (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.

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 your application from the current position: (if not applicable, please enter "N/A")

03

How many years of experience do you have in one or more of the following areas: public service, public administration or business administration, natural resources management, natural resources policy, organizational management, military leadership and management, or a field closely related to the mission of CPW ? If none, enter N/A

04

Please describe your leadership and management philosophy, and include examples from experience as a manager that illustrates your philosophy.

05

Please describe in detail your experience with network building and working with diverse stakeholders.

06

Did you include the required detailed resume and cover letter?

+ Yes

+ No

07

All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of minimum qualification 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. Resumes and cover letters will be part of the review process after the initial step.

+ I acknowledge receipt of this notice

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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