Department Information

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.

Description of Job

Fish Culture
Assist with the capture of brood stocks; monitor, construct and manipulate culture environments to Maintain the health, growth and reproduction of brood stocks; perform hormonal injection of brood stocks; captive propagation and rearing of off-spring of native aquatic species by utilizing proven and effective culture techniques; assist in the development of new and improved culture techniques; feed according to nutritional requirements specific to each aquatic species; anticipates and manipulates water quality by
obtaining water tests for parameters critical to the health of native aquatic species; make precise biological and environmental assessments to maintain healthy, sustainable culture environments within established procedures and guidelines specific to each aquatic species; maintain accurate and punctual records of all pertinent data. Clean and disinfect culture environments and sterilize equipment as required; maintain proper disinfection procedures to help prevent the spread of diseases; prevent or diagnose disease by recognizing signs and abnormal behaviors of stressed and diseased native aquatic species; prevention
and treatment of disease by calculating and administering the correct dosage of chemotherapeutants approved for use; must be knowledgeable and proficient in the use of laboratory equipment, aseptic techniques, identification of disease organisms, drug and chemical applicability and precise water flows, drug and/or chemical dose calculation and disinfecting techniques.

Native Fish/Amphibian Reintroduction & Distribution
Work closely with Species Conservation Section and other State and Federal agencies; safely transport and/or reintroduce native aquatic species into portions of their historic range; distribute native aquatic species as requested and approved in Trans6; monitor environmental conditions in both transport tanks and receiving waters to assure the highest degree of survival; comply with all State DOT and federal motor carrier safety.

Building, Fabrication, & Construction
Perform carpentry primarily with wood; inspect and maintain existing electrical infrastructure; build fence; drive and operate heavy equipment used in construction projects; safe use of pneumatic tools, powertools, hand tools, blasting and smaller heavy equipment used in construction projects; placement, finishing, protecting and repairing of concrete in construction projects; position and secure reinforcing bars and mesh used to reinforce concrete in construction projects; install and maintain systems used for plumbing, heating, chilling and drainage of water; install and maintain metal roofing; welding of metals, plastics and polymers.

Administration
Keep accurate and punctual records of activities, observations, and conditions related to the culture and propagation of native aquatic species; submit records and observations both written and verbally to management and staff during weekly staff meetings or as required; maintain current record of all native aquatic species inventories; report to supervisor(s) when brood stocks require replenishment with new individuals from the wild and/or captive bred; maintain daily activity reports (DARS) specific to each species and monthly KRONOS timesheets in a timely fashion; submit Leave/Absence Request and Authorization forms in a timely fashion; record flow data on daily well reports; keep general purchase receipts and Procard receipts; maintain in-house move & transfer logbooks; maintain mortality logbooks; maintain disease treatment logbooks; maintain current feed sheets; maintain accurate and punctual stocking and transfer tickets; and maintain driver’s logs and vehicle inspection reports as required by DOT regulations.

Facility and Equipment Maintenance
Inspect, service and modify any equipment, physical facilities, buildings and water delivery systems required to raise native aquatic species. Duties may include but are not limited to, minor remodeling and painting; mowing, weed control, irrigation, culvert and pipeline installation and snow removal. Inspect and maintain various vehicles and equipment. Vehicles and equipment include, but are not limited to: pickup trucks, fish trucks, forklift, backhoe, tractor, ATV’s, welders, generators, power tools, pumps, mowers and work carts. Ensure that aquaculture equipment and vehicles are kept in safe and proper working condition by repairing, lubricating, inspecting, cleaning and servicing; design, invent, fabricate, test and calibrate new or specialized equipment for aquaculture use to increase productivity and enhance efficiency. Maintain accurate service records.

Temporary, Student & Volunteer Employee Management
Assist in the general oversight of work performed by seasonal temporary, student work-study and volunteer employees. Oversee temporary employees, student work-studies and volunteers to ensure assigned tasks are completed according to standard operating procedures and accepted professional standards; train, direct and explain work assignments and procedures to new employees, temporary employees, student work-studies and volunteers.

Building and Grounds Maintenance
Services, modifies, inspects, and fabricates facilities, buildings, and water delivery systems required to raise fish. Performs landscaping and irrigation duties, including but not limited to, watering grass, mowing, pruning, brush cutting, snow plowing, snow shoveling/blowing, and road grading.

Public Relations
Promote and explain the policies, goals and directives of Colorado Parks and Wildlife by providing public tours of the fish hatchery and courteously answering questions; provide information about wildlife and fisheries operations while giving tours and while on fish/amphibian stocking trips. Conduct guided tours of the hatchery as required.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of relevant experience in aquaculture, propagating and/or rearing fish, fish culture, collecting and recording of aquatic wildlife data and/or professional aquatic research or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation
related to the work assigned equal to three (3) years

Substitutions

• Appropriate education in biology, fisheries research, fisheries management, or fisheries biology, ecology, wildlife management, zoology, marine biology or ichthyology may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis for the experience requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position
• Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience
• Have or be willing to obtain a CDL - Class B N-Liquid Bulk/Cargo Tanks and air brakes.

Conditions of Employment

• State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
• Must pass required pre-employment physical, pre-employment drug testing and background check.
• This position will require, but not limited to the handling of: formalin, bleach, disinfection solutions, equipment batteries, gasoline, diesel, spray paint, and motor oil. Appropriate PPE will be provided.
• Hazing of predatory birds/animals will require the use of discharging cracker/pryrotechnics as a deterrent.
• Daily fish deliveries can result in overnight travel as needed in accordance with CDL regulations and fish unit requirements.
• 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:

Supplemental 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.