CAIC Senior Avalanche Forecaster (PSRS II)

This position will work full-time during the winter months and reduced hours the rest of the year.

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 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 10 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.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a program within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Executive Director’s Office. The program is a partnership between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Friends of the CAIC (FoCAIC) a 501c3 group. The mission of the CAIC is to provide avalanche information, education and promote research for the protection of life, property and the enhancement of the state’s economy. The CAIC promotes avalanche safety by reducing the impact of avalanches on recreation, industry and transportation in the State through a program of forecasting and education.

This position will work full-time during the winter months and reduced hours the rest of the year.

The Senior Avalanche Forecaster (Southern Mountains) oversees the daily development of public safety products and ensures the quality of the work product. They are the point of contact for outside communications and either answer questions, provide information, or route requests to the appropriate internal resource. They coordinate the development and communication of mid-range forecasts to CDOT.  This position performs three main functions: 1) Create avalanche and weather forecasts for backcountry recreation and public safety; including support of the Highway Avalanche Safety Program when needed, 2) Facilitate and conduct field operations and collect data to support weather and avalanche forecasting programs; support other government groups and search and rescue operations as needed, 3) Write reports, articles, and create and deliver educational material.

This position performs three main functions:
1) Forecaster–

• The Senior Avalanche Forecaster (Southern Mountains) oversees the daily development of public safety products and ensures the quality of the work product.    

• They are the point of contact for outside communications and either answer questions, provide information, or route requests to the appropriate internal resource. 
• They coordinate the development and communication of mid-range forecasts to CDOT.  
• Analyze snow, weather, and avalanche data to determine current and future conditions.
• Use CAIC tools, systems, and procedures to document work process and predictions.
• Use CAIC tools, systems, and procedures to create and communicate public safety products.
• Leads in daily forecast meetings to facilitate the number, type, and quality of daily products.
• Development of daily avalanche hazard assessment and daily forecast meeting.
• Present summary and reasoning in daily forecast meeting and help others check their assessment of avalanche hazard for assigned areas.
• Create public safety products that meet or exceed CAIC’s goals for type, quantity, and quality.

2) Field Operations –

• Senior Avalanche Forecasters will help coordinate the Southern Mountains team’s data collection efforts over broad mountainous sections of Colorado. These employees all contribute to the daily risk management process, both in the office and in the field. 
• They also support other groups and agencies in the field by analyzing the local avalanche hazard and advising search and rescue teams or other groups on field avalanche safety. 
• Field operations involves traveling throughout the mountain areas of Colorado in both winter and summer. 
• This includes driving on snow-covered highways, 4x4 roads, and traveling in helicopters; it includes traveling on snowmobiles and skis into steep, complex, and exposed terrain elevations; it includes exposure to avalanche hazard and mountain weather conditions in the winter and summer; it includes using explosives and delivery systems from hand-placed charges, to helicopter deployed charges, military artillery, gas projectile systems, and remote avalanche control systems. 
• Most field operations include some type of data collection.
• Avalanche forecasters use a targeted sampling framework where current data is analyzed to inform future collection of specific fields, at specific times, and in specific locations. Avalanche Forecasters need knowledge of snow, weather, and avalanche phenomena to perform this task and field travel skills to perform these tasks. Avalanche Forecasters work in a team to create a plan for daily data collection efforts over broad mountainous sections of Colorado. They participate in and contribute to the daily risk management process. 
• Field staff maintain Wilderness First Responder certification as part of CAIC field medical program. 
• Field operations include summer maintenance of remote instrumentation and supporting CDOT’s maintenance of remote avalanche control systems.

3) Records, Reports, and Education–

• Write reports and articles that document snow, weather, and avalanche events in Colorado. 
• Examples include monthly and annual summaries of snow, weather, and avalanche conditions; reports on accidents and notable events, articles for a general audience on snow, weather, and avalanche safety or forecasting. 
• Create education material. Teach short courses on snow, weather, and avalanche safety and forecasting, which could be in the field.

This position will work full-time during the winter months and reduced hours the rest of the year.

Minimum Qualifications
Six (6) years minimum experience in an occupational field conducting avalanche forecasting for the USFS, ski patrolling with avalanche duties, mountain guiding with avalanche duties, or similar experience.

OR 
Two (2) year of experience in an occupational field conducting avalanche forecasting for the USFS, ski patrolling with avalanche duties, mountain guiding with avalanche duties, or similar experience.
AND
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.

Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

The current work arrangement for this position is as follows: 

(Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change)

• This is a Hybrid position - Work is primarily performed from a home office, however the selected candidate will at times report to the office at CAIC’s office in Leadville, CO, and other locations for meetings, trainings and projects as directed by the supervisor.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be willing to work within the southern mountains of Colorado, which includes all mountains areas south of US50. Job duties may involve traveling to and working in other portions of Colorado based on the agency’s work needs.
• Ability to travel in the backcountry
• Ability to travel on very steep exposed portions of mountainous terrain
• Ability to observe and evaluate avalanche conditions
• Ability to perform avalanche and backcountry rescue
• Have or be able to obtain possession of Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification
• Have or be able to obtain possession or ability to obtain and Colorado Type I Explosives Permit with Avalanche endorsement
• Have or be able to obtain a certificate of completion of A3-PRO2, similar professional avalanche training course, or equivalent experience
• Have or be able to obtain a certificate of completion of Avalanche Rescue course or equivalent experience
• Must be willing and able to exert up to 20 lbs. of force to move objects
• Must be willing and able to possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license. 
  • Must be able to drive a state vehicle and their driving record will be examined annually starting January 1st of each year.
• Must be willing and able to submit to and pass a background check for credentialing through the Department of Commerce system in order to access CAIC's office in Boulder.
• Must be willing and able to respond to unplanned system outages.
• Must be willing and able to travel to CAIC facilities throughout the state.    
• This position will work full time FTE during the winter months and reduced hours the rest of the year.              

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with snow physics and avalanche dynamics
• Experience with modern avalanche forecasting techniques
• Experience with MS Windows computer systems and Google Workspace
• Experience in technical writing
• Experience in education of people of all ages
• Experience with automated environmental measuring equipment
• Proven ability to solve problems creatively
• Strong familiarity with project management software tool, methodologies, and best practices
• Experience seeing projects through the full life cycle
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and extremely resourceful
• Proven ability to complete projects according to outlined scope, budget, and timeline
• State experience related to the position

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, US Mail, faxed or hand delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.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.
• 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.

A salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives 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, 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 [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
The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program's Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about 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.   Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.