Public Programs Coordinator, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Department Information

OPEN TO CURRENT STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY

The Colorado Constitution, Article XII, Section 13 requires that applicants for state classified government jobs be residents of Colorado, unless this requirement is waived by the State Personnel Board. If the residency requirement has been waived for an announced vacancy, it will be noted on the job announcement and applications will be considered from individuals who are not residents of Colorado. This announcement does not include a residency waiver.

If your goal is to invest in a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Our professionals are committed to supporting state government and the citizens of Colorado.

Our mission is to develop, preserve, and enhance the state’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future citizens and visitors. In an effort to build diversity and inclusion we welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Customer service is a key component for every position across state government. We are focused on improving Efficiency (use of resources), Effectiveness (impact of our work), and Elegance (graceful service interactions).

The mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife 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.

This position is in the Education, Partnership and Volunteer Section which exists to provide formal and non-formal educational programs and activities to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) customers and constituencies (hunters, anglers, outdoor recreationists, etc.); to develop organizational partnerships with internal and external stakeholders regarding shared/common interests (participant recruitment and outreach, resource conservation, education, etc.); and to recruit, train and coordinate the use of volunteers in a variety of activities and programs relating to Colorado’s wildlife and outdoor recreation resources and the management of those resources.

Description of Job

OPEN TO CURRENT STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY

The employee in this position serves as Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s expert in public and interpretive programs statewide. As the expert, the position is responsible for planning, directing and setting the standards for the design and content for public and interpretive program implementation. The position evaluates the overall function and operation of CPW’s Public and Interpretive programs including the Junior Ranger Program, the Junior Wildlife Officer Program, and the Watchable Wildlife Program.

The employee in this position provides Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training through the National Association of Interpretation (NAI). The employee also provides Community Connections Planning expertise and systematizes the interpretation, education, outreach, and volunteer-planning for each site, which includes educational materials, handbooks and web content.

The employee in this position is responsible for coordinating CPW’s presence at large expos and shows. The position decides booth and display content and materials and the consistent design, messaging and content for these materials to be used statewide. The employee in this position serves as the CPW liaison and representative for National Association of Interpretation (NAI), Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), and Watchable Wildlife Incorporated, the national watchable wildlife organization and advises CPW on regional and national trends in public and interpretive training and programming and implements innovative improvements with regard to these trends.

The employee in this position develops and manages annual budgets for public programming, interpretive programs, plans and signage, staff training, wildlife viewing initiatives, and booth display materials, including making decisions on priorities within the budget, monitoring performance and expenditures and ensuring compliance with fiscal rules. The position ensures effective use of funds, and reports on the use of those funds to Greater Outdoors Colorado (GOCO); and coordinates GOCO reporting for environmental education grants and the wildlife viewing grants with regional education coordinators and writes annual report and investment plan segments on behalf of CPW.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

OPEN TO CURRENT STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY

Minimum Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors’ degree in parks and recreation, outdoor education, environmental education or another field of study directly related to the assignment AND two years of professional experience developing and presenting public or interpretive programs or activities.

Substitutions

Professional work experience in the occupational field or specialized subject area of the work assigned to the position which provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education may substitute for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis, but not the specific experience required as described in the minimum requirements.

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one or more of the required education fields may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree and 1 (one) year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide

Certification as a Certified Interpretive Trainer

An understanding of CPW’s mission and education programs

Experience and/or involvement developing and implementing public and interpretive programs

Experience teaching in a non-formal setting

Experience developing and implementing training programs relating to public and interpretive programming

Strong organizational skills and ability to track multiple projects at one time

Strong public speaking experience

Strong written and oral communication skills

Strong conflict resolution skills.

Conditions of Employment

Former employees of the State of Colorado must have concluded employment in good standing to be eligible for rehire.

Must possess and maintain a valid State of Colorado Driver’s License

Must be willing and able to travel statewide, sometimes in remote locations

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 the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.

Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.

A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Supplemental Information

The Colorado Constitution requires all appointments and promotions in the state personnel system be made according to merit and fitness.

APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COVER LETTER OF INTEREST AND RÉSUMÉ AT TIME OF APPLICATION

Application materials will be reviewed by a Human Resource Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the position.

Upon meeting the minimum qualifications, the next phase of the assessment process may consist of a Structured Application/Résumé Review. Utilizing your application, résumé and cover letter, the review wouls be a comparative analysis against the listed required competencies, job duties and/or preferred qualifications in this announcement to determine technical competence, depth and breadth of experience and job fit. It is imperative that you provide adequate detail on your application, résumé and cover letter to describe how you meet and/or exceed the requirements for this position.

Comparative analysis factors to be assessed:
Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.

Leadership – Excellent leadership, supervisory and team building skills.

Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement; varied and not one dimensional; and demonstrate progressively higher level of responsibility with a wide range.

Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.

Upload additional pages if necessary to fully explain your experience and accomplishments. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the deadline for application may result in your application not being accepted for this position and may affect your inclusion in future steps in the assessment process.

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 first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.