Entry Level Natural Resource Management Jobs in Colorado

Department Information This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. This posting will fill multiple vacancies at the same reporting level and location. *Deadline to apply has been extended until 08/20/2026* Are you interested in investing in a career that makes a difference.

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-ust o 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, Vision 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 For more detailed information, please visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits 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

This work unit exists to direct and implement a variety of outdoor recreation programs and activities at State Forest State Park, the largest land-based State Park in Colorado, within the guidelines of Colorado State statutes, regulations, and Division of Parks and Wildlife policy and procedures for the use and benefit of visitors which utilize the area. This unit provides a wide variety of recreational and educational opportunities to the public, while working to ensure that safety and high-quality standards are met. It maintains and improves visitor facilities, park infrastructure and natural resources within the park.

This unit is responsible for providing visitor services, maintenance functions, natural resource protection, natural resource education, administrative functions, law enforcement, inter-agency cooperation, search and rescue, and assisting with statewide programs. The work unit administers State Park Programs and provides recreation and natural resource management expertise to Federal, State, County, Local and Private entities. Description of Job This position exists to provide a safe and pleasant environment for recreational activities by cleaning, repairing, replacing and operating equipment, systems, grounds, facilities, and infrastructure for the use of park visitors and staff.

This position primarily inspects and manages maintenance needs of park grounds, roads, shorelines, back county, picnic area, campsites, trails, management of State Fleet owned vehicles, alternative vehicles, general equipment maintenance and participates in the planning and execution of natural resource management, weed/pest management and maintaining compliance with Local, State and Federal guidelines (OSHA, ADA, etc). This position provides management support by hiring, training, scheduling and supervising temporary maintenance personnel and volunteers to accomplish work plan goals and fulfill day-to-day, periodic and long-term maintenance functions. This position has purchasing responsibilities, will work with budgets, and contractors, and must operate within state fiscal guidelines.

This position will acquire and maintain certifications as needed to fulfill the functions of the position. This position must complete/submit regular reports and communicate with park management, State Park management teams, Fleet, outside agencies, partners and the general public. MAINTENANCE This position ensures work unit maintenance needs are accomplished effectively and efficiently by planning and completing appropriate maintenance duties, resolving maintenance related problems, supervising the park's Fleet vehicle program, operating within an established budget to purchase materials, supplies, equipment and complete and submit required reports.

This position designs work plans and completes field work to achieve the park's maintenance goals for landscaping, weed/pest management and facility infrastructure while assuring the safety of the public and park employees. Position will plan, direct, oversee, supervise, and participate in program-related activities of the work unit as assigned, as needed, and/or requested by the work unit supervisor. Program management duties will include assuring work unit maintenance goals and objectives are accomplished effectively and efficiently.

This will be accomplished by planning and completing appropriate maintenance duties, resolving maintenance related problems, maintaining and repairing facilities, grounds, and equipment, and assisting with maintenance related reporting programs. These duties may include but are not limited to: Electrical, plumbing, irrigation systems, HVAC, sewer lift stations, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, roads, boat ramp/dock maintenance, waste management, maintaining open space areas (vegetation and pest management), cleaning restrooms, cleaning fire pits/grills, emptying trash cans, shoveling/plowing snow, mowing, tree trimming/removal, interior/exterior lighting, management of pesticides/herbicides, sign installation and repair, and bulk fuel management. This position will perform routine, preventative and controlled maintenance tasks independent of or in conjunction with other staff to construct, maintain, and repair buildings and facilities.

This position operates, maintains, and repairs equipment including but not limited to: Tractors, tractor implements, dump trucks, snowplows, mowers, landscaping tools, a wide variety of power and hand tools, boats and OHV's, snowmobiles, and small engines. This position also works with statewide and regional project managers, contractors, vendors, and collaborates and assists seasonal staff, FTE staff, supervisors, and park management to complete projects and ensure efforts in all work unit areas are consistent with the goals of the work unit and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Observes Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) lands and waters for environmental, insect, disease, weed, forest, and wildlife problems and documents and reports all problems to appropriate staff.

Temporary housing and office areas are a responsibility shared by all FTE staff. SUPERVISION This position assumes a leadership role in interviewing, hiring, training, supervising, developing work plans, scheduling, motivating, and conflict resolution for temporary maintenance employees and numerous long and short-term volunteers. This position may supervise volunteer programs including camp hosts, interns, GOCO, court ordered volunteers, or others.

This position may take (and/or recommend to direct supervisor) appropriate corrective / disciplinary action for temporary employees. This position directly oversees and supervises temporary workers, interns, and volunteers delegated to their programs. The position recruits, interviews, hires, trains, supervises, advises, counsels, motivates, assigns duties, schedules, resolves conflicts, delegates special projects/duties, ensures compliance with statutes and all policies and procedures, takes appropriate corrective/disciplinary actions regarding employee performance as directed, conducts meetings, and develops work programs for their respective temporary employees, interns, and assigned volunteers that accomplishes the work unit and Colorado Parks and Wildlife's desired mission.

The position implements processes to ensure assigned temporary workers, interns, and volunteers are trained and perform their assigned duties within the park on a daily basis. The position will work with the work unit's management staff on scheduling and adjusting staffing patterns as the need arises. ADMINISTRATION This position will utilize various computer programs to prepare, maintain, document, evaluate, report, complete and maintain accurate and complete program files for all efforts related to their areas of responsibilities, their duties, and within the maintenance program.

Including but not limited to: Work plans, progress reports, employee paperwork, evaluations, purchasing, budget requests, fleet reporting, fuel usage reports, chemicals and application reports, requests for bids from contractors and vendors, recording work hours, and maintaining all records according to policy This position will work within established budgets, as well as track, recommend, and document expenditures related to program management and assigned duties. This position designs work plans and completes field work to achieve CPW's mission, park's maintenance goals, weed/pest management goals, natural resource protection, and grounds and facility upkeep and maintenance while assuring the safety of the public and park staff. PUBLIC RELATIONS The position has daily contact with the public with potential for positive or negative public relations implications.

The position must always strive to maintain a positive image of themselves and of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This position will interact with customers and provide information to educate, ensure safety, and provide general information to promote the work unit as well as Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Advocates the interests of the work unit to gain public support for the work unit, its programs, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Answers questions and conduct informal public contacts on and off the park. Provide Park visitors with safety, weather, and other related information as well as directions and park conditions. Explain rules and regulations to park visitors.

Promotes all Colorado Parks and Wildlife areas and activities. TRAINING/ CERTIFICATIONS This position will maintain/expand skills and certifications in the areas of water systems, sewer, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, painting, etc. This position must attend annual in-service training, trade related trainings, and self-educate regularly to ensure proficiency and legal compliance with safety and administrative regulations.

They will be required to maintain park systems certifications. Must be willing to bring section needs and potential issues and liability concerns to the attention of their supervisor and park management. Position will require training in operation of heavy equipment, dump trucks, plowing, OHVs, snowmobiles, chainsaws, search & rescue operations, and boats.

Must be able to complete and maintain certifications for following a Class C water operator license, wastewater system and small operator license, herbicide and pesticide applicators certifications, and others that the work unit finds necessary. A CDL will be required to be obtained/maintained to operate and transport park equipment. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights Experience Only: Four (4) years of relevant experience in construction, carpentry, equipment/machinery operation, farming, ranching, range land management, wildlife/habitat management, resource management, landscaping, facility maintenance/management, HVAC, plumbing, electrical or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position. You must adequately demonstrate your experience in your application as it relates to the duties of this position. No formal college education is required.

OR Education and Experience: A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Outdoor Recreation, Zoology/Animal Sciences, Engineering, P.E / Professional Engineer, Program Management/Project Management, Construction or Project Management, Natural Resources, Recreation Management or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position as it relates to the duties of this position equal to four (4) years. Class Code: TECHNICIAN IV Preferred Qualifications Current or former State experience relevant to this position. Possesses current trade certifications or licenses Able to supervise temporary employees and camp hosts

Required Competencies Organizational and time management skills. Strong level of written and oral communication skills. Strong multi tasking skills.

Ability to keep motivated with little supervision. Ability to obtain and maintain position certifications. Conditions of Employment State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license if operating a State vehicle. Criminal and Driving Background check may be required. While somewhat rare, park emergencies may necessitate a speedy response.

May handle pesticides and herbicides. Will be required to work weekends/holidays and after hours shifts. Must be capable of operating OHVs, golf carts, maintenance equipment (including but not limited to: mowers, chain saws, weed whips, tractors, snow plow, backhoe, skid steer, dump truck).

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). 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 Utili...