CPW ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT III - Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area - Salida, CO

• 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.

This work unit exists to manage the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) in a large geographic region of the state.  AHRA is cooperatively managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Forest Service (USFS).  AHRA is 6,581 acres in size within 4 counties, stretches for 152 miles along the Arkansas River from Leadville to Lake Pueblo State Park, and contains over 60 individual recreation sites.  This unit tracks AHRA Operating and Capital budgets for all AHRA work groups to insure expenses remain within established limits. This unit directs administrative staff and provides information on AHRA park and recreation programs, which accommodate over 1 million park visitors annually, while providing means to insure their health, safety, and welfare. 

This position exists to provide a variety of direct information services to the visitors to the park. Information is delivered in person, on the phone and by email. The position manages a variety of visitor center programs including park pass & registration sales, facility rentals, retail sales and Integrated Parks and Wildlife System. To act as an administrative assistant to the Park Manager(s) with an emphasis on accounting, coordinating paperwork for the temporary hiring program, revenue reporting, and managing special projects.

Office Manager

This position works directly with visitors to provide customer service, answer questions, and assist with passes, permits, registrations, and license sales while ensuring accurate information and revenue collection. Duties include overseeing visitor center operations such as phones, camping reservations, scheduling, and maintaining calendars, as well as managing IPAWS and POS systems with accountability for revenue. The role is responsible for resolving visitor complaints, maintaining the park’s website, social media, and phone systems, preparing marketing materials, and processing hiring paperwork, payroll, and concession or agency payments. Additional responsibilities include processing of Event and Activity permits, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, and offering helpful information about the park and local community to enhance the visitor experience.

Customer Service

This position works to provide exceptional customer service as a key program quality and ensures that staff deliver accurate park and division information to visitors, in person, by phone, mail, email, social media, and website. Schedules personnel to meet program goals, providing customer service, and increasing revenue.. Follows DNR Customer Service Directive. Creates a professional image of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, emphasizing the importance of a positive experience for our visitors/customers.

• Three (3) years of relevant experience in Accounting, Finance, Program or project management, Administrative Assistant, Front Desk, Call center, office environment, project management, handling of money, project management or experience related to the work assigned to this position.

OR

• A combination of related education in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Biology, Aquatic Biology/Fishery Science/Aquaculture/Fishery Management, Economics, Public Administration, Communications, Public Engagement/volunteer management, Education, Business, Program Management/Project Management, Computer Science, Applied Computing, Computer Engineering, IT, Accounting, Finance and/or relevant experience in  Accounting, Finance, Program or project management, Administrative Assistant, Front Desk, Call center, office environment, project management, handling of money, project management or experience related to the work assigned to this position equal to three (3) years.

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.

• Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience.

• Organizational management, time management, and multi tasking skills.

• Excellent customer service skills, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and verbal/written communication.

• Demonstrates initiative and self-motivation.

• Keen attention to detail.

• Punctual/Timely/Dependable.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work well independently as well as in/with a team.

• Ability to teach others.

• Office setting experience.

• Experience handling money and cash registers.

• High proficiency in interpreting and explaining rules/regulations.

• Good working knowledge of computer-based technology. 

• Proficiency in the use of Google Suites, databases, and the use of electronic licensing system(s).

• Bilingual in English and Spanish. 

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent level of written and oral communication skills.
• Strong multitasking skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite.  
• Ability to work independently and take initiative by using critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify solutions for customer or program challenges.
• Experience managing calls and/or responding to difficult customers with tact and diplomacy.
• Experience working according to detailed policies, procedures, and deadlines.

• State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• Background Check required.
• Travel may occasionally be required for training and special events
• 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

• 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 posting may fill multiple vacancies.