Make Nature Your Office
We get our boots dirty to manage 43 world-class state parks, 350 wildlife areas, more than 960 wildlife species, and 23 million acres of public lands. We all work, grow, and play as one team focused on doing our best for Colorado, one job at a time.
Make Nature Your Office
We get our boots dirty to manage 43 world-class state parks, 350 wildlife areas, more than 960 wildlife species, and 23 million acres of public lands. We all work, grow, and play as one team focused on doing our best for Colorado, one job at a time.
Ride-Along Program
Ride-Alongs are a great opportunity for those interested to learn more about what CPW law enforcement employees do to manage parks and wildlife. Ride-Alongs can be conducted with a District Wildlife Manager or a Park Ranger. To apply for a Ride-Along, please fill out the application below and submit to Lori Morgan at [email protected].
Interested in a Career with Colorado Parks and Wildlife?
Fish Hatchery Technician
Fish Hatchery Technicians are responsible for the aquaculture of 56 separate strains of fish, and raise and stock over 90 million fish every year. Hatchery employees contribute to the preservation of threatened and endangered species such as boreal toads and pikeminnows.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives provide frontline customer service at local offices, state parks, over the phone and other CPW locations. This position is the face of CPW and is responsible for disseminating information to customers.
Aquatic Biologist
Aquatic Biologists play a crucial role in preserving Colorado’s lakes, rivers, and aquatic species. From studying the effects of environmental changes on aquatic organisms to managing fish hatcheries that produce millions of fish annually, CPW’s aquatic biologists balance conservation and recreation to sustain healthy ecosystems.
Terrestrial Biologist
Visitor Services staff greet and assist park visitors at the entrance station or visitor center by providing information about the park, selling park passes and permits, educating visitors on park regulations, and occasionally supporting special events, all while maintaining a strong customer service focus and upholding the mission of conservation and outdoor recreation within Colorado's state parks.
Visitor Services
Visitor Services staff greet and assist park visitors at the entrance station or visitor center by providing information about the park, selling park passes and permits, educating visitors on park regulations, and occasionally supporting special events, all while maintaining a strong customer service focus and upholding the mission of conservation and outdoor recreation within Colorado's state parks.
Administrative Support
Administrative Support staff provides comprehensive clerical and administrative assistance to staff within a regional office or park, including managing customer service inquiries, processing license sales, maintaining accurate records, handling office operations, and supporting special projects related to outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation, all while ensuring excellent customer service to the public.
Park Resource Technician
Park Resource Technicians (PRT) work to maintain and improve visitor facilities, park infrastructure and natural resources within our state parks. This career allows you to spend much of your time outside, improving park facilities while protecting natural resources for millions of park visitors.
Resource Stewardship
A Resource Stewardship position involves actively managing and protecting the ecological integrity of state parks by conducting biological monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and other conservation efforts, aiming to maintain healthy ecosystems while ensuring sustainable recreational opportunities for park visitors.
Water Resources
The Water Resources Section has several programmatic areas of responsibility: water resource and water right portfolio protection, management and development, water quality, recreational water use, and instream flow. This section 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. Example careers include Water Resources Coordinator, Water Quality Specialist, Instream Flow Program Coordinator and Water Resources Section Manager.
Real Estate
The Real Estate Section coordinates, implements and manages Colorado Parks and Wildlife's (CPW) real estate program. This program is responsible for the acquisition, disposition, management and administration of real property assets, which are necessary for the preservation and conservation of the state's wildlife habitat and parks. Example careers include Real Estate Specialist, Data Manager, and Land Protection Specialist.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
This position analyzes parks and wildlife spatial data; provides a wide range of geographic-based services and expertise to the Division of Parks & Wildlife. They respond to direct requests for GIS products and services, which involves data acquisition, evaluation and assimilation, and the use of complex cartographic techniques for data analysis and display; programming of scripts to automate GIS processes; and providing advice on implementing GIS, geographic and geospatial principles to wildlife-related projects.
Education and Outreach
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers a range of careers that involve hunting/fishing education and outreach programs aimed at promoting ethical and responsible hunting practices, educating the public on wildlife and the environment, as well as ensuring the safety of hunters and the public. Example careers include being an Education Coordinator, Hunter Outreach Coordinator, and Angler Education Coordinator.
Volunteer Coordinator
A Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for managing and overseeing the statewide or regional volunteer program, including recruiting, training, and placing volunteers across various CPW initiatives like wildlife monitoring, park maintenance, educational outreach, and conservation projects, to support the agency's mission of protecting Colorado's natural resources and providing outdoor recreation opportunities.
Property Technician
Property Technicians cover a broad range of responsibilities, they conduct day-to-day operations and maintenance of state properties. Property Technicians may oversee seasonal employees and volunteers, implement habitat management strategies, operate specialized equipment, and maintain infrastructure and equipment. Some positions also enforce wildlife laws.
Capital Development and Engineering
This section manages all aspects of the asset management, facility design, engineering, construction and landscape design programs including managing multimillion dollar budgets for CPW. Example careers include Design Engineer, Dam Safety Engineer, Capital Program Manager, Aquatic Design Engineer and more.
Organizational Development
This section at Colorado Parks and Wildlife is responsible for building a strong, productive, and inclusive workforce and culture that supports the diverse mission and vision of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This is accomplished through targeted training for the workforce, internal communication, career development, and associated policy for all Full time employees.
Financial and Capital Services
This section is where finances meets conservation. From crunching numbers for wildlife programs to overseeing budgets for conservation projects, this section is critical to supporting CPW’s mission of protecting Colorado’s wildlife and outdoor spaces. Example careers include Accountants and Budget Analysts.
Business and Technology Operations
This section serves as CPW’s business professional liaison with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) for all CPW projects and services that have a technology component. This section also provides services to plan and manage the business operations side for all technology projects. Example careers include Technology Liaisons and IT Liaisons.
Policy and Planning
The Policy and Planning Branch serves CPW and the CPW Commission by providing policy analysis and development, informing management decisions through public involvement and social science research, and providing expertise for agency planning efforts. By effectively involving both internal and external stakeholders in policy and planning activities, this Branch assures that the best information is available for CPW and Commission decision-making. Example careers include Policy and Planning Analyst, Legislative Analyst, Policy and Engagement Specialist, and Human Dimensions Specialist to name a few.
Branding and Communications
The Branding and Communications Section exists to lead the planning, development, creation, implementation and evaluation of creative methods and communications techniques to efficiently communicate CPW programs, products and activities to local, regional and national communities. Example careers include, Digital Communication Specialist, Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategist, Graphic Designer and Public Information Officers.
Learn about CPW Careers: Interview a Staff Member
An informational interview is a meeting to learn about the real-life experience of someone working in a field or company that interests you. It's not a job interview, so it's important to keep focused on getting information, not a job offer. Email [email protected] to connect with a staff member.
Volunteer
Make sure to include the following information: Volunteering is a great way to learn more about our agency, get your foot in the door, and build valuable skills and experience. We have numerous one-day projects as well as long-term volunteer opportunities. A few examples of volunteer work include habitat and trail work, cleanup projects, education and outreach events, customer service, wildlife projects, and community science. Visit our Volunteer Website to browse opportunities and email [email protected] to ask about specific opportunities for youth.
Seasonal and Temporary Employment
No matter what your professional goals are, seasonal and temporary employment will help you get there. Many full-time, permanent CPW staff started out as seasonal employees. Even if your first seasonal job isn’t your long-term goal, it is a great foot in the door and will help you move into your desired position. Temporary/Seasonal jobs are posted on our State Jobs Website.
Paid Internships
CPW’s Youth Internship Program (YIP) employs and develops the next generation of Natural Resource Professionals and recruits new, diverse talent into the CPW workforce. YIP is unique in that it is designed for career exploration, mentorship, and skills development. This is a great opportunity for someone who knows they are interested in a Natural Resources career but wants to learn more about different options.
How to Apply
This how-to video describes the State of Colorado job application process. To find jobs and begin the application process, visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado.
In this video, you’ll learn:
Thank you for your interest in working for the State of Colorado. Good luck!
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