CPW LIFE/SOC SCI RESEARCHER/SCI IV/Wildlife Habitat Research Scientist- (Grand Junction, CO)

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　　CPW LIFE/SOC SCI RESEARCHER/SCI IV/Wildlife Habitat Research Scientist- (Grand Junction, CO)

　　Salary

　　$68,100.00 - $88,524.00 Annually

　　Location

　　Mesa County, CO

　　Job Type

　　Full Time

　　Job Number

　　PMA 32077 01/24

　　Department

　　Department of Natural Resources

　　Division

　　Colorado Parks & Wildlife

　　Opening Date

　　01/22/2024

　　Closing Date

　　2/21/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

　　FLSA

　　Determined by Position

　　Primary Physical Work Address

　　711 Independent Ave., Grand Junction

　　FLSA Status

　　Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

　　Hiring Pay Rate

　　Please note that all employees new to the State Personnel System are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

　　Description

　　Benefits

　　Questions

　　Department Information

　　A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. 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-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 Avian Research Program conducts rigorous scientific-based original research deemed valuable to Colorado Parks and Wildlife to enhance the management and conservation of birds and their habitats in Colorado. This Program may address critical ecological concerns about species and/or develop new methods, techniques, or systems to assess, maintain, enhance, and monitor the status of Colorado’s wild birds and their habitats. The Program synthesizes existing information, produces new information/knowledge, interprets information, and facilitates integrating information into agency programs and decisions that affect hunted, non-hunted, and threatened and endangered birds and other wildlife.

　　Description of Job

　　This position is responsible for conducting landscape-scale research on terrestrial wildlife habitats, and for rigorously evaluating and informing habitat protection, restoration, enhancement, and management programs conducted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other land management agencies and organizations in Colorado. Although the position is placed in the Avian Research Program, the position will address habitat information needs for all terrestrial wildlife species in Colorado. The position designs and conducts original scientific research that is of management priority to Parks and Wildlife and of such quality and rigor as to be suitable for publication in established peer-reviewed scientific journals pertaining to applied ecology and wildlife conservation and management. The position develops new knowledge by testing scientific hypotheses and/or by testing new methodologies or models. The position facilitates incorporating landscape habitat research and evaluation methods and information into Parks and Wildlife management programs and decision processes and serves as an agency expert for wildlife habitat ecology, management, and monitoring. The position manages all aspects of the research process including identification of information needs and study objectives, development and implementation of study design and methods, developing and managing budgets, supervising support personnel, and communicating results of research via oral and written communications/publications to Parks and Wildlife, the scientific profession, habitat management collaborators, and private landowners. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

　　Design Research and Monitoring Projects and Programmatic Plans Designs research and monitoring projects using the most appropriate experimental, analytical, and scientifically rigorous approaches available to test ecological hypotheses, and develop new methodologies commensurate with management needs and priorities of Parks and Wildlife. Develops long-term plans that identify anticipated future information needs pertinent to wildlife habitat ecology and management.

　　Conduct Research and Monitoring Projects

　　Completes designed research and monitoring projects by implementing, supervising, and being responsible for all aspects of day-to-day work schedules, methods, personnel supervision, data acquisition, database management, and data analyses.

　　Communicate and Publish Research Results

　　Provides periodic written progress reports and oral communications to Parks and Wildlife personnel and professional peers to inform these groups of the significance and application of ongoing research results and to elicit input for improving research outputs. Publishes final results of research projects in a timely manner in peer-reviewed scientific journals appropriate to applied ecology, landscape ecology, conservation biology, and wildlife management.

　　Support Agency Policy Decisions and Program Development

　　Provides an assessment of available techniques, methodologies, and scientific information and helps integrate that information into Parks and Wildlife policy, decisions, and program development to improve the scientific basis for wildlife habitat conservation, management, and monitoring in Colorado. Serves as a source of expert knowledge and advice for Parks and Wildlife on techniques and analyses related to wildlife habitat research and management. Maintains scientific expertise for assigned subject matter area by routinely reading peer-reviewed scientific literature; communicating with peers in other states and countries; attending seminars, workshops, and professional meetings; and participating in relavant formal educational opportunities. Periodically conducts workshops, seminars, and other types of communications to inform and train Parks and Wildlife personnel on methods, applications, and results for wildlife habitat ecology, management, and monitoring.

　　Administrative Functions

　　Recruits, trains, and supervises all temporary employees or graduate students associated with assigned projects and adheres to State of Colorado hiring and supervising guidelines. Provides temporary employees with professional advice and evaluations of their performance to aid in the development and recruitment of new individuals into the profession of wildlife management and research. Prepares all aspects of project operational budgets under guidelines established in the work unit. Routinely monitors status of expenditures to assure compliance with budgetary limits, economic efficiencies, and State purchasing procedures.

　　Other duties as assigned

　　Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

　　Minimum Qualifications

　　Three years of professional experience in wildlife research, wildlife management or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position AND at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in wildlife ecology, landscape ecology, spatial ecology or a field of study related to the work assignment.

　　Substitutions

　　Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience 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

　　Ph.D. in landscape-scale habitat monitoring and assessment, habitat ecology of terrestrial wildlife, or related field

　　Experience with software and platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine), remotely sensed and/or drone-gathered data collection methods and techniques, and analysis methods used in ecology (e.g., R, SAS, GIS, database and spreadsheet programs).

　　Experience with various field methods used to monitor terrestrial wildlife habitats.

　　Experience with study design, data management and analysis, and publication of results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

　　Experience in working collaboratively with other applied wildlife scientists and managers.

　　Conditions of Employment

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

　　Position has statewide responsibilities, and will routinely travel to areas around the state where research activities are being conducted. Regularly attends meetings and workshops in various Regions, as well as presentation of research results at professional meetings out-of-state.

　　Schedule is M - F during normal operating hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., but a flexible schedule such as evening/weekend work may be required depending on deadlines, travel, etc.

　　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 ([email protected]), 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.

　　Cover letter Requested - uploaded as an attachment to your online application.

　　Resume Required - uploaded as an attachment to your online application.

　　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.

　　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, Anna Kargobai-Murray, 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 an accommodation, please contact Anna Kargobai-Murray at [email protected] 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 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.