CPW Technician IV - Heavy Equipment Operator (SW Region, CO)
Apply
Salary
$56,628.00 - $73,620.00 Annually
Location
La Plata County, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
PMA 01968 08/26
Department
Department of Natural Resources
Division
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Opening Date
08/14/2026
Closing Date
8/30/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address
415 Turner Drive, Durango CO, 81301
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Kristi Ryan kristi.ryan@state.co.us
Salary Note
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
Type of Announcement
The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
Hiring Pay Rate
Please note that all employees new to the State Personnel System are paid on a bi-weekly basis.
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
This position can be housed anywhere in the SW region, including Durango, Monte Vista, and Montrose
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 (https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch) .
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (http://cpw.state.co.us/) Our Mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.
The SW Region work unit is a major, geographical based organizational unit of the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW), essentially the SW quadrant of Colorado. The SW Region is responsible for administering and managing state parks, wildlife administrative areas, and all of the ancillary operations, programs, projects, and staff resources, fiscal resources and miscellaneous property resources relating to state parks and wildlife activities in the Region including the Regional Heavy Equipment Operator position.
Description of Job
This position can be housed anywhere in the SW region, including Durango, Monte Vista, and Montrose
This position exists to create, preserve, enhance and develop lands owned or managed by CPW using heavy equipment that is beyond the expertise and capabilities of other division employees and equipment. The position will use backhoes, excavators, draglines, frontend loaders, dozers (D-6 or comparable), road graders and other heavy equipment to create roads, parking lots, irrigation structures and other facilities for the public and CPW use; in addition the position will perform habitat enhancements by dredging ponds, developing springs, creating wetlands and aquatic habitat enhancements in streams and lakes for fish and wildlife throughout the Region. Equipment will need to be transported throughout the Regions using dumptrucks, semis, trailers, and pickups to move equipment.
Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
Operation of Heavy Equipment to Complete ProjectsOperates specialized, high value equipment such as track hoe, dragline, dozer, front end loader, backhoe, dump truck, and road grader, miscellaneous power tools, and equipment such as generators on project work sites. Selects and operates the appropriate piece of heavy equipment to complete each project based on the scope of work for each project and goals of project managers. The position will be required to understand and comply with permitting requirements for each @type of project. This will include permits issued by local, state, and federal agencies and governments. The position will work in all areas of the assigned region to complete projects requiring extensive operation of heavy equipment. Thus, frequent travel to and extended stays overnight to complete projects will be required throughout the year.
Transportation of Heavy EquipmentThis position transports equipment by dumptruck and semi-tractor trailer from the regional storage compound to various project work sites throughout the assigned region. Therefore, the position is responsible for maintaining all applicable permits to comply with Motor Carrier Safety requirements including drug testing and applicable licenses. This includes maintaining annual DOT inspections for all necessary transport equipment and trailers along with maintaining necessary Oversize or Wide Load permits. This position also assists other staff in the process of obtaining their Commercial Driver's Licenses (knowledge and testing). Project Planning, Preparation, and SchedulingThis position collaborates with regional field staff to identify, evaluate, and prioritize projects requiring specialized equipment. For each project this position examines and evaluates the work site and chooses the proper equipment, determines feasibility and/ or obstacles and estimates time required to complete each project; coordinates with all affected staff on the project within CPW which may include but is not limited to AWMs, DWMs, Property Technicians, Park Managers and staff, engineers, Water Specialist, biologists, and DRMs; and schedules projects to meet constraints such as budget availability, seasonal weather conditions, emergency repairs of facilities or habitat projects, permit timelines, and Regional priority. Interpersonal skills are a priority since the position will be communicating with numerous individuals at different levels within the CPW as well as personnel in other agencies.
Maintenance and Field RepairsThis position is accountable for the region's fleet of high value heavy equipment assets including maintenance and repairs. Must be experienced with and knowledgeable about diesel and gas engine repair and will determine when to execute field repairs and when it is most appropriate to have repairs done by a service technician. The position should have experience in repairing equipment using an arc welder. Inspects, analyzes and assesses the condition of multiple pieces of equipment and tools; and services them or sends them out for service as needed.
Budgeting, Purchasing, and Reporting. Manage and Oversee Temporary EmployeeThis position submits expenditures and project activity reports to supervisor; assists with scheduling projects for the year working with Deputy Regional Manager (supervisor), AWMs, Park Managers (for wildlife projects on parks), DWMs, Technicians, and biologists; communicates with affected personnel on changes to the project schedule as needed so Areas and Parks can plan projects accordingly; may oversee and direct the duties for a temporary employee for this position; plans travel to projects to be as efficient as possible by scheduling smaller projects in close proximity at the same time; and reports activities, problems, and changes in schedule to supervisor and affected AWM or PM. Communication with all affected personnel will be critical to accomplishing each project. Position identifies equipment needs of Heavy Equipment Program for the region and submits equipment, small capital, or large capital requests with estimates and justification. When funding is available, writes scope of work and evaluates submitted responses.Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications Four (4) years of relevant experience in construction, carpentry, equipment/machinery operation, farming, ranching, range land management, wildlife/habitat management, resource management, landscaping, facility maintenance/management, HVAC, plumbing, welding, electrical or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position. You must adequately demonstrate your experience in your application as it relates to the duties of this position. ORA combination of related education in construction or project management, natural resources, environmental science, recreation management, business and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years.
Substitutions
Appropriate education in construction or project management, natural resources, environmental science, recreation management, business or a related field of study will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience is considered.
Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
Possesses current trade certifications or licenses
Required Competencies
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Strong level of written and oral communication skills
Ability to use and operate computers and email
Ability to obtain and maintain position certifications
Conditions of Employment
Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
Must currently possess or be able to obtain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
Drug testing required for Class A CDL driver's license
Pre-employment background and driving record check required
This position will be exposed to fuel directly as fumes from the combustion of the fuels.
Extended overnight travel throughout the region and occasionally throughout the state
Experience operating heavy equipment
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 (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W0g2QAGmusbXBJzL3HxhGitIZOEKnwhrFnx9GqVcQHA/preview?tab=t.0) , 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:
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 (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department's action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
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 todocument 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.
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, atdnrhremployeebenefits@state.co.us
ADAAA AccommodationsAny 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 dnrhremployeebenefits@state.co.us 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
DNR uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more aboutE-Verify (http://www.dhs.gov/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.
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
See the full announcement by clickingthe "Printer" icon located above the job titleLocation varies by announcement, Colorado, --
Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
