Summary

This position serves to develop and manage content for agency-related information and events internally and externally, and determines what information is suited for distribution, and the appropriate venue(s) for information (e.g., internal newsletter, press release, radio broadcast, email, fact sheet, media kits, communication plan, other agency publications or web presence) based upon CPW’s strategic communication plan and Colorado State Statute.

Description

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 Southeast Region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife has 8 State Parks and more than 81 State Wildlife Areas and exists to provide outdoor recreation and wildlife management in the Southeast region of Colorado. In addition to oversight of state parks and wildlife areas, this unit manages regional programs such as public information, outreach, education, customer service, water, energy, land use development, heavy equipment projects, trails program, capital development, game damage specialists, and administration.

Description of Job

The Southeast Region Public Information Officer is a member of the Regional Staff. The position provides public information about CPW’s policies, laws, regulations, programs, incidents, wildlife, outdoor recreational opportunities and all other incidents or current events. The position is responsible for crisis management as it relates to media contacts and information about crises such as ongoing law enforcement cases/situations, wildlife attacks on humans, public safety issues on state parks, and other crises. Colorado Springs – Pueblo within the Southeast Region is the 2nd largest media market in Colorado. This position is often called upon to speak with media outlets via live television interviews about CPW’s actions, responses, laws, procedures, policies, or breaking news. This position is on-call and is expected to respond often to requests for interviews or information, in line with strategic priorities.

The position serves as the staff authority concerning communications programs, needs and challenges. Leadership routinely relies on consultation for expert advice, guidance and opinion before deciding on regional goals, programs, initiatives and policy. The position provides expert opinion and direction to leadership to develop communication strategies relevant to goals and initiatives. The position works independently to design critical public information priorities, communications strategies, processes, goals, guidelines, rules and standards on how to communicate with media outlets, stakeholders and the general public. The position manages social media for the Southeast Region.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

Public Information
Will be the Southeast Region’s spokesperson and provides public information about CPW’s policies, laws, regulations, programs, incidents, wildlife, outdoor recreational opportunities, and all other incidents or current events. Provides information to the public by generating media coverage of CPW activities through direct contact with the media representatives. Provide/interpret/distribute public information to media representatives, to members of the public, to other CPW staff, including regional customer service and web staff. Sets regional public information priorities based on CPW’s strategic plan, messaging priorities, seasonality of topics, and public interest. Will be a subject matter expert in media relations and advises CPW Southeast Regional staff on public informational responses to local media inquiries. Will also be a subject matter expert on choosing the appropriate media outlets, formats or venues to distribute public information. These include public meetings, social media, television media, press releases, print media, customer service contacts, website information and other outlets. Leads the development of staff talking points for regional issues, especially when issues may cross administrative boundaries within the region, elicit high public interest, and contain a high complexity of information. Will works with internal CPW staff such as regional leadership staff, other statewide and regional communication staff, officers, managers, biologists, customer service representatives, and real estate, land-use, education, or volunteer specialists to coordinate public information responses. Will gather appropriate information from internal staff to ensure public information responses are accurate and achieve goals within CPW’s mission. Evaluates public information responses and has the authority to make improvements as needed. Determines appropriate staff members and means to deliver media responses; coordinates with appropriate staff to develop responses to media requests. Identify and advise appropriate staff on the delivery of media responses. Determine priorities for media contacts and campaigns by communicating with regional management and staff and others as appropriate. Identify strategy and tactics for shaping public opinion and media responses on regionally significant issues, including energy development, wildlife conflicts, species conservation, wildlife and outdoor recreation opportunities, state parks openings and events, etc. Evaluate public information outreach goals and execute outreach in appropriate format, including press releases and other print deliverables such as web content, agency brochures, fact sheets, informational memos, and magazine articles; broadcast formats including radio, television, cable and internet video productions; and other outreach platforms as assigned. Evaluate effectiveness of public information outreach; advise on opportunities for improvement. Make logistical arrangements for news conferences, dedications, and other public events.

Regional Communications Strategies and Guidance
Expected to be a subject matter expert on regional activities as they relate to communications strategy in support of CPW’s mission, goals, and objectives. Decides which topics to proactively address in the media and other outlets. Advise Regional Manager and key management and staff on communications opportunities and challenges. Coordinate with regional management and staff during the development of regional policy initiatives to identify communications goals and to integrate strategies into a comprehensive planning process required to achieve desired outcomes. Recommend and execute strategies to shape public responses to decisions or actions taken by the region. Assist in the development of public presentations. Assemble and/or create fact sheets, maps, and other materials for external distribution. Develop and distribute talking points, messaging guidance, and other materials for internal distribution, possibly in coordination with statewide initiatives. Assist in the development and delivery of guest editorials, letters to the editor, and other outreach. Monitor media coverage and public discussion of issues related to CPW’s mission to identify communications opportunities and challenges. Advise on capitalizing or responding to these issues. Develop and maintain excellent working relations with regional staff including CPW leadership, parks and wildlife field staff, researchers, program managers, etc. Aid in logistics for regional, section, area, and parks meetings and events.

Special Projects & Incident/Crisis Management
Expected to be available to provide timely public information services and responses to regional management and staff on request. Specific tasks could include media management and coordination, research relating to planned events, interviewing relevant staff, officials and stakeholders for general background information pertaining to special projects, events, and/or incidents. General examples of circumstances requiring public information services include wildlife conflict situations and conflict avoidance strategies; accidents at state park facilities and/or state wildlife areas/properties; legislative/regulatory initiatives affecting CPW activities; public events involving CPW and/or stakeholder groups such as state parks openings; and etc. Will also be expected to undertake special public information outreach projects on assigned issues, which could include tasks such as developing communication plans, managing event logistics, providing public outreach, responding to media requests, and evaluating effectiveness of public information activities. Responsible for the timely production of annual and other informational guides relating to the Southeast Region and wildlife, state parks, and outdoor recreation opportunities in the region.

External Relations Coordination
Coordinate with Southeast Region Manager and Deputy Manager on issues of regional (as well as statewide) importance that require public information attention and action. Maintain cooperative working relations with central and regional public information staff, as well as legislative staff and websites. Advocates Southeast Region public information goals, objectives, and projects with this external relations peer group. Participates in external relations team exercises, projects, and activities as appropriate.

Special Projects & Incident/Crisis Management
Maintain accurate, thorough and comprehensive databases of regional media contacts, key wildlife constituent and advocacy groups and other relevant stakeholders. Develop and foster dynamic, ongoing, and two-way dialogue between these constituent/stakeholder groups and CPW regional management and staff. Ensure that these individuals and groups are informed and aware of the public goals and objectives of CPW in addition to the issues, initiatives, and challenges relating to wildlife, outdoor recreation, and state parks. Attends key meetings of constituent/stakeholder groups as requested by regional management and staff as well as on the position’s own initiative; conveys factual information and professional observations from these meetings to regional management and staff as appropriate.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

Seven (7) years of professional experience in Journalism, Editing Public Relations, Communications, or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.

A combination of related education in Journalism, Communications, Writing, Editing, Public Relations, Media Studies and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years

Substitutions

Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience.
Knowledge of public relations and mechanisms of inquiry.
Able to independently determine program communication needs through discussion with senior leaders, program managers, park rangers and wildlife officers.
Experience developing a communication plan that may include television and radio appearances, press releases, media kits or FAQ’s.
Effective means of distributing messages and follow up to determine if agency or program goals were attained.
Organizational understanding of current affairs within the outdoor recreation and natural resource professional field.

Required Competencies

High level of written and oral communication skills
Strong relationship-building skills
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Strong written skills with an ability to produce press releases, web and blog content quickly, ability to communicate complex issues concisely and comprehensively (oral and/or written)
Team player who proactively ensures the success of other teammates

Conditions of Employment

State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
Availability via cell phone to respond to media calls seven days a week.
Throughout the region, statewide on occasion. Some weekends and overnights as needed.
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.