CPW Veterinarian I / Wildlife Pathologist - (Fort Collins, CO)

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.

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.

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

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 Wildlife Health Program conducts disease monitoring and surveillance for all terrestrial wildlife species, as well as rigorous scientific-based original research deemed valuable to CPW in order to better understand and enhance the health, management, and conservation of Colorado's terrestrial wildlife resources. The program also provides veterinary and laboratory services and training to CPW staff, as well as captive wildlife research support and captive wildlife holding for other CPW research and management programs.

Description of Job

This position provides in-house veterinary pathology, forensic, and diagnostic services to CPW staff and conducts original, applied research on wildlife disease problems affecting Colorado's terrestrial wildlife populations. The position works both with other professional staff and independently to coordinate and facilitate professional support and services.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Provide veterinary pathology services

Provide professional veterinary diagnostic expertise in conducting or overseeing pathology and forensic diagnostic services, sample collections, and laboratory analyses supporting ongoing wildlife disease monitoring and surveillance programs, assuring quality control for diagnostic work, and ensuring that findings and data are recorded and communicated in a timely fashion.

Report diagnostic and research findings

Disseminate findings of diagnostic services and research, as well as recommendations for surveillance and management strategies based on those findings, to supervisors, scientists, managers, and policy-makers by composing preliminary and final reports and publishing scientific papers, and by making oral presentations in meetings, workshops, lectures, and professional symposia.

Identify important questions about wildlife disease problems

Originate concepts and hypotheses on cause(s), detection, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of wildlife pathogens by reviewing and compiling existing laboratory and experimental data, by collaborating in laboratory and field experiments, and by analyzing expected outcomes and comparing those to natural phenomena.

Conduct wildlife disease research

Design and conduct laboratory and field experiments to test hypotheses on the pathogenesis of disease agents in native Colorado wildlife, or methods for detecting and diagnosing disease agents by developing and/or applying experimental protocols, by gathering data, by analyzing and interpreting data in consultation with a biometrician, and by inferring laboratory and management applications of experimental results.

Plan and manage allocated budgets

Manage allocated budgets supporting diagnostic services and research projects and determine optimum strategies for meeting annual work objectives within budgetary limitations; identify and seek supplemental funding to support service and research activities; anticipate and plan future service and project-specific needs; identify and propose research project topics and objectives, and submit annual budget requests for approval by program leader.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Colorado

Substitutions

• No Substitutions

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position

• Board certified or board eligible in veterinary anatomic pathology (e.g. Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists)

• Completion of a residency program in veterinary anatomic pathology

Required Competencies

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

• Experience conducting gross necropsies and histopathology on wildlife species

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

• Excellent communication skills with a wide variety of individuals including scientific and lay audiences.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team utilizing shared resources.

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license if operating a State vehicle.

• On Call

• Work will require occasional availability after hours and on weekends for emergency investigations

• Use, Handling or Exposure to hazardous materials-Handling hazardous chemicals such as formalin or potent immobilization drugs, exposure to infectious diseases

• Work will require travel to field sites and other locations statewide for investigations and various meetings

• This position must wear a fit-tested N95 mask or powered air purifying respirator and other PPE as part of their job 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).

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 acknowledgement 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 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.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

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. 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 dnr_hr_employeebenefits@state.co.us

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 dnr_hr_employeebenefits@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 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.