Job Description

Posting number: PMA 00383 07/26

Department: Department of Natural Resources

Division: Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Job classification: Technician V

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Administrative Assistant, Building & Safety, Building Maintenance, Clerical & Data Entry, Facility Management, Accounting and Finance, Sanitation, Trades, Parks and Recreation, Land Use, Parks, Urban Forestry, Natural Resources, Maintenance, Purchasing, Construction Maintenance, Customer Service, Project Management, Grounds & Landscaping, Forestry, Communications, Building & Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance, Construction Trades, Wildlife, Geographic Information Systems

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

Examples of duties

This position exists to direct, guide, oversee, and monitor the day-to-day operations of the Bellvue-Watson Hatchery to support statewide fish production goals and objectives by delegating, training, guiding, and evaluating one Technician IV and four Technician III’s. It plans, develops, and monitors capital construction projects, stocking schedules, maintenance schedules, and budgets of two cost centers. This position directs water quality and quantity management for the facility, monitors, approves, and procures materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to ensure proper growth, health, and survival of fish while meeting annual production goals and staying within an established annual budget. It directs and provides 24-hour security and is on an “on-call” status. It provides all documentation and reports requested, and records and maintains accurate information on the Hatchery.

Administration
Execute and implement the policies, directives, rules, and regulations of State and Federal agencies. Attend and represent the hatchery at meetings with other staff, interagency personnel, and the public. Compose and approve reports, records, and correspondence.

Supervision and Training
Supervises one Technician IV, four Technician III’s, temporary positions, and volunteers. Formulates, delegates, and oversees daily work schedules for the crew. Interviews, hires, informs, advises, counsels, trains, evaluates, and rewards employees. Oversees and assists as needed with daily hatchery and rearing unit operations such as: feeding fish, sorting and moving fish, loading fish, stocking fish, cleaning troughs and raceways, water analysis, water flow management, and fish health management. Assists the Deputy Assistant Director – Hatchery Team with performance evaluation input for employees. Authorizes leave, travel, and training activities. Counsels and mediates employee concerns and conflicts.

Fish Culture and Distribution

Formulates, delegates, and oversees daily work activities and schedules. Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the unit. Anticipates problems and adjusts fish egg requests, fish production, and operating plans to achieve unit and Statewide goals. Calculates, analyzes, and adjusts fish nutrition and growth data, unloads feed trucks, orders fish feed, coordinates egg and fish stocking schedules, fish transfers, inventories, and sorting. Assesses and evaluates progress toward unit goals. Analyzes inventory data and calculates fish feed rates and conversions. Communicates feed chart updates, fish sorts, moves, and transfers to employees through verbal and written communication. Analyzes, audits, and records fish production data. Prepares, cleans, and disinfects rearing containers. Inventories, sorts, loads, transports, and distributes fish with trucks and coordinates with Biologists for stockings. Monitors and controls use of equipment, feed, and supplies and plans for procurement as necessary. Participates in domestic and wild fish spawning operations as needed.

Fish Health and Pathology
Monitors, analyzes, and diagnoses fish health problems through visual, microscopic, and anatomical inspections. Prescribes, administers, and evaluates drug and chemical treatments, measures and calculates water flows and fish weights for dosages, contacts fish pathologist for assistance if necessary, and maintains daily records of chemicals or drugs used in fish treatments. Formulates and oversees disease prevention and disinfection policies and activities for the fish unit. Complies with INAD regulations and requirements related to drug and chemical treatments of fish.

Water Chemistry and Flow Management
Monitors, adjusts, and records water flows throughout the fish unit. Technically analyzes water quality parameters including oxygen, pH, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and chlorine with precision instruments (spectrophotometer, saturometer, etc.) to maintain fish health and meet water discharge permit regulations (where appropriate). Observes and records unit operating parameters such as weir and flow meter readings, inlet temperatures, and valve and pump settings. Manipulates water quality to maximize fish health and growth by adding aeration or oxygen, or by changing flow regimes.

Unit, Vehicle, and Equipment Maintenance
Operates various heavy-duty equipment, vehicles, and hand equipment and performs grounds and equipment maintenance and repair. Ensures adherence to State Fleet Management maintenance schedules and record keeping.

Safety and Security
Develops, oversees, and executes emergency and safety plans for fish unit operations. Patrols, secures, and protects grounds, property, and fish by being on an “on-call” status after normal working hours and being required to live on the fish unit. Secures safe storage and handling of all hazardous materials and develops plans to provide for the safety of employees and visitors, including complying with all Risk Management and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Attends training administered by the Safety & Loss Control Specialist of the State Office of Risk Management.

Public Relations
Conducts interpretive tours, accommodates day visitors, provides professional and technical information regarding Division policies and regulations, provides educational services and presentations, and provides official written correspondence, publications, and materials. Assists Colorado River Watch project.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Five years of work experience in the aquaculture field, fishery or wildlife biology, or a closely related field that included at least one year of experience propagating and rearing sport fish and/or native species(warm, cool and/or cold water species).

Substitutions

• Appropriate education in fishery science, fishery biology, fisheries management, or biology will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Class Code: TECHNICIAN V

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• The preferred candidate will demonstrate management and leadership experience in a professional setting.
• Strong level of written and oral communication.
• Decisiveness: Making timely, informed decisions, even under pressure.
• Vision: Articulating a clear, compelling future direction for the team or organization.

Required Competencies

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• This position requires possession of a valid State of Colorado driver's license within 90 days of relocation.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Bouncing back from setbacks and embracing change.

• Empowerment: Delegating effectively and building others up.

• Inspiration: Motivating and encouraging employees to perform their best.

• Integrity & Honesty: Building trust through ethical, transparent behavior.

• Empathy & Compassion: Understanding and connecting with team members' needs and perspectives.

• Communication: Listening actively and conveying ideas clearly and honestly.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of successes and failures.

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle. Out-of-State applicants will have to obtain a Colorado License within 90 days of relocating.
• If you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.
• Must be willing and able to live in State housing on the fish hatchery and provide after-hours security, monitoring of water flows, power, and fish health issues as well as responding to emergency situations. Moving expenses will not be reimburse.
• Must be available for on-call to receive phone calls or work after hours to help resolve fish health and safety issues related to hatchery operations. Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure fish health, safety, and welfare.
• Must be willing and able to exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 lbs. frequently and/or in excess of 20 lbs. constantly to move objects
• Must be willing and able to withstand exposure to weather, noise, and atmospheric conditions.
• Must be willing and able to withstand the following hazards: proximity to moving, mechanical parts; exposure to electrical shock; working in high, exposed places; exposure to radiant energy; working with explosives; and/or exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Must be able to possess and maintain a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement.
• Pre-employment physical, drug testing, and background check required.
• Required to work holidays and weekends as part of a rotating work schedule.
• Required to live in onsite, state provided housing, exempt from overtime, on-call 24/7.
• This position will require but is not limited to the handling of Formalin, bleach, disinfection solutions, equipment batteries, gasoline, diesel, spray paint and motor oil.
• Hazing predatory birds/animals will require the use and discharge of cracker/pyrotechnics as a deterrent.
• Daily, weekly, monthly fish deliveries can result in overnight travel as needed; various meetings.
• 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

  • Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

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.

• This recruitment may be used to fill more than one vacancy at this level and reporting location.