CPW Water Project Mitigation Coordinator Physical Science Researcher/Scientist III

• 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.

The Water Team (WT) has several programmatic areas of responsibility: water resource/right portfolio protection, management and development; water quality; recreational water use; and instream flow. The WT exists to integrate all matters of water quality and water quantity (water rights management) and to provide policy direction for statewide consistency in these programmatic areas. The WT is responsible for development, acquisition and protection of water, water rights, and interests in water for the benefit of statewide fish and wildlife management and water-based recreational activities at state parks; the development of instream flow recommendations for submission to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB); the development of position statements (testimony) on water quality matters before the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); collaboration and partnerships with external entities to monitor, protect and restore aquatic resources; the coordination of water quality data acquisition by WT personnel and personnel within other sections of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), various local, state, federal agencies, industry and non-profits; the coordination and development of comments on water resource development projects undergoing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review  and other permitting processes for major water development projects ; and other matters involving water resource development and protection as directed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and CPW leadership.

This position plays an important role in CPW's statewide Water Project Mitigation Program by leading and facilitating interdisciplinary teams of CPW staff to evaluate proposed water development projects, identify potential impacts to natural resources, and develop technical comments, recommendations, and mitigation measures.

The Water Project Mitigation Coordinator works closely with CPW's Aquatic and Terrestrial Sections, regional and area staff, the Senior Water Project Mitigation Coordinator, and external partners to ensure fish, wildlife, habitat, and recreation considerations are incorporated into project planning, environmental review, permitting, and mitigation decisions.

The position supports CPW's responsibilities under Colorado's water project mitigation statute (C.R.S. § 37-60-122.2), including the development, review, approval, and implementation of Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plans (FWMPs). This includes coordinating the presentation of mitigation plans to the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) and Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The position also supports CPW's participation in federal, state, and local environmental review, permitting, consultation, and mitigation processes.

Working in collaboration with the Senior Water Project Mitigation Coordinator, this position shares responsibility for a diverse statewide portfolio of water development projects and helps ensure mitigation commitments are implemented, monitored, and completed.

Water Project Review, Permitting, and Mitigation

The Mitigation Coordinator leads and facilitates interdisciplinary teams of CPW staff in evaluating water development projects and developing technical comments, recommendations, and mitigation measures to protect fish, wildlife, habitat, and recreation resources.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating CPW's technical review and participation in federal, state, and local environmental review, permitting, and consultation processes, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Clean Water Act permitting, and applicable state environmental review processes.

• Bringing together technical expertise from CPW's Aquatic and Terrestrial Sections, Regions, Areas, and other programs to evaluate potential project impacts and develop agency-approved technical comments and recommendations.

• Participating in early project planning, scoping, alternatives development, technical reviews, and mitigation negotiations to identify opportunities to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to natural resources.

• Coordinating the development of Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plans under C.R.S. § 37-60-122.2, working with CPW staff, project proponents, and other involved agencies to identify appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures.

• Preparing and coordinating FWMPs and supporting technical materials for consideration by the Parks and Wildlife Commission and Colorado Water Conservation Board, including guiding plans through the applicable review and approval processes.

• Working with project proponents, permitting agencies, and other partners to negotiate appropriate avoidance, minimization, mitigation, and enhancement measures.

• Tracking and overseeing the implementation of mitigation commitments established through FWMPs, Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), permits, and other project-specific agreements.

• Monitoring mitigation obligations, implementation schedules, reporting requirements, and effectiveness, including participating in adaptive management and working with project proponents and permitting agencies to address implementation challenges.

• Administering project-related agreements, contracts, financial obligations, monitoring requirements, and other commitments for which CPW is a party.

Water Project Mitigation Program Coordination and Administration

The Mitigation Coordinator supports the consistent and effective implementation of CPW's statewide Water Project Mitigation Program.

Responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with the Senior Water Project Mitigation Coordinator to maintain established project tracking systems, guidance documents, templates, and program records.

• Tracking assigned projects from early consultation and environmental review through permitting, mitigation implementation, monitoring, and project closeout.

• Maintaining accurate project status information, documentation, and records to support program continuity, accountability, and timely completion of project responsibilities.

• Supporting consistent approaches to reviewing water development projects and developing mitigation recommendations across federal, state, and local processes.

• Identifying emerging project review needs, opportunities for process improvements, and ways to strengthen program effectiveness.

• Providing technical input into the development and refinement of program tools, guidance documents, templates, and other resources.

• Supporting coordination and administration of agreements, financial commitments, and project-specific mitigation obligations to ensure consistency with CPW's program responsibilities.

Program Coordination, Collaboration, and Agency Representation

The Mitigation Coordinator represents CPW in technical discussions, interagency coordination, and formal proceedings involving water development projects and associated natural resource issues.

Responsibilities include:

• Representing CPW in project meetings, technical workgroups, interagency coordination efforts, project scoping, and stakeholder discussions.

• Representing CPW before the Parks and Wildlife Commission and Colorado Water Conservation Board by presenting Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plans, providing technical information and recommendations, and responding to questions regarding proposed mitigation measures and project impacts.

• Coordinating with CPW leadership, technical staff, project proponents, and partner agencies to prepare presentations, supporting materials, and recommendations for Commission and Board consideration.

• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with CPW staff, federal, state, and local agencies, project proponents, consultants, and other partners.

• Communicating CPW's technical recommendations and natural resource protection priorities throughout project planning, review, permitting, and implementation.

• Coordinating agency-approved comments, technical recommendations, and policy input on assigned water development projects and related water resource issues, including communication with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Colorado Attorney General's Office (AGO), as appropriate.

• Supporting state-led and locally sponsored water projects, early consultation, and other water resource reviews as assigned by the Water Resources Manager.

• Participating in training, outreach, and Water Resources Team initiatives to support statewide program consistency, collaboration, and CPW's Aquatic Wildlife Branch mission.

Experience Only:

Eight (8) years of relevant experience in federal environmental permitting, water project development, water law, public policy with a focus in water, water resources, water supply planning, ecosystem management, or field of study directly related to the work assignment. 

Or

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Biology, Aquatic Biology/Fishery Science/Aquaculture/Fishery Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Water resources planning or management and/or relevant experience in federal environmental permitting, water project development, water law, public policy with a focus in water, water resources, water supply planning, ecosystem management, or field of study directly related to the work assignment equal to eight (8) years

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• Water resources and environmental review experience: Experience evaluating water development projects and potential impacts to aquatic or terrestrial resources, habitat, recreation, stream function, or other natural resources.
• Regulatory and permitting knowledge: Knowledge of or experience with federal and state environmental review, permitting, and consultation processes, such as NEPA, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Clean Water Act permitting, state environmental review, or comparable natural-resource regulatory processes. 
• Interdisciplinary technical analysis: Demonstrated ability to review, understand, and synthesize complex technical information from multiple disciplines, which may include hydrology, water rights, aquatic biology, terrestrial biology, geomorphology, habitat, recreation, or ecosystem processes.
• Project coordination and management: Experience coordinating complex projects involving multiple participants, competing deadlines, regulatory milestones, technical deliverables, commitments, and/or agreements. Ability to organize work, track commitments, identify gaps, and ensure timely follow-through. The position specifically tracks mitigation obligations, financial requirements, monitoring, adaptive management, and project completion. 
• Collaboration and stakeholder coordination: Demonstrated ability to build productive working relationships and coordinate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, government agencies, project proponents, consultants, water providers, local governments, and other stakeholders with differing priorities and perspectives. 

• Strong problem-solving, judgment, and analytical skills with the ability to develop and implement complex statewide initiatives.
• Capable of aligning programs and policies with broader agency or statewide goals.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners, including government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations.
• Skilled in facilitating collaboration, negotiation, and consensus among partners with competing interests.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including presenting complex information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to represent the agency effectively in public meetings, stakeholder forums, and professional settings.
• Independent, proactive, and adaptable in dynamic environments.
• Honest, trustworthy, and dependable.

• State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• This position is designated as remote, but CPW may assign an official work location or require reporting to a CPW office based on operational needs, available workspace, supervision, onboarding, training, or business requirements.
• Position requires travel across Colorado to regional partnership coalition meetings, conferences, and staff workshops in order to perform regular duties. 
• 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's 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

• 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 fill multiple vacancies at the same reporting level.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. 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.. 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 accommodation, please contact our Benefits Specialist 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.