Summary
Description
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 work unit exists to determine, decide, develop and coordinate internal and external communications aligned with CPW’s mission to perpetuate the wildlife natural resources of the state, 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 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 publics based upon CPW leadership goals. The work unit is responsible for communicating with the public using the agency website, press releases, social media, regulation brochure publications, mass marketing efforts, video, and Colorado Outdoors Magazine and blog. The work unit is also responsible for pricing, production and distribution of these materials. The work unit is also responsible for overseeing the CPW retail operations, including the online store.
Description of Job
The Graphic Designer, Interpretive and Wayfinding position will manage the creation of a large variety of visual communication resources and publications for the agency that include, but are not limited to: wayfinding and regulatory signage, interpretive panel design, reference maps, long-form regulatory handbooks, annual reports, and production of other public outreach materials in both print and digital formats.
This position will help enhance the visitor experience, support the organization’s mission, and effectively share key agency messages in collaboration with the Branding and Communications design staff and the Statewide Interpretive Signage and Exhibits Coordinator. This position leverages, develops, evaluates and translates interpretive communication and education plans into visual materials to educate and inspire visitors and stakeholders statewide. The role aims to creatively and accurately include and represent a variety of activities, cultures and histories to engage the outdoor community in CPW’s goal in serving Colorado for All.
Specific job duties include but are not limited to:
Production design for interpretive and wayfinding projects
Creates, updates and manages a complex inventory of environmental graphic design elements such as way-finding, regulatory, and/or interpretive signage, with an emphasis on making sure reference maps and other graphics used on these projects are accurate. Maintain an accurate and thorough accounting of design versions, production files and assignments using Asana and Google Drive, ensuring the most current information and designs are centrally maintained.
The Graphic Designer, Interpretive and Wayfinding will work regularly with Branding and Communications designers, EDVP’s Interpretive Signs and Exhibits Coordinator, and both Statewide and Regional Interpretive Educators to understand and execute CPW’s interpretive education and communication goals while maintaining agency brand integrity.
Will develop inclusive and accessible visual communication that helps ensure the Division continues to be viewed as a credible, trustworthy, open and responsive state agency. They will act with tact and diplomacy while representing the Branding and Communications section at regional, branch and section meetings, employing a high level of interpersonal knowledge and skill.
Project and production management
With appropriate staff/vendor input, this role will develop and maintain project planning for materials, including building and meeting timelines, securing SME reviews, managing revisions and working to plan delivery/execution of projects as required. Responsible for working with the state printing division (IDS) to obtain bids and waivers for any commercial printing or production projects needed on behalf of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Will participate in program/project meetings, field work, production checks and other requested opportunities to streamline the processes of developing and managing visual messaging and narrow the points of contact for internal staff managing related programs and projects.
Manage maps, illustration contracted works and other design collateral
Working with the CPW GIS section, this position will serve as Branding and Communications section subject matter expert (SME) for managing, updating and enhancing visitor reference maps for all design collateral to ensure consistency in design projects across the agency. Will work collaboratively with program and project staff to create and manage an inventory of regularly used graphics (partner logos, wildlife illustrations, state insignias – including state flower, fish, etc.) that complement and expand CPW’s ability to share its mission and strategic communication objectives
Will partner with both Branding and Communications section mates and other Information and Education Branch teammates in GIS and EDVP as needed to create credible, reliable, meaningful assets that engage visitors with the state’s history, conservation efforts, parks development, tribal relations, outdoor recreation, stewardship and wildlife management.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Four (4) years of relevant experience in interpretive, environmental, wayfinding, or exhibit design or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.
OR
A combination of related education in Graphic Design, Interpretive Design, Commercial and Advertising Arts, Design Communication and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years.
Substitutions
- Appropriate education in a related field 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 and Wildlife experience
- Experience designing in an environmental, outdoor recreation or conservation organization
- Cross-functional teamwork experience and orientation
- Bilingual/Multilingual language skills a plus
- Experience/interest in working in geography, specifically with maps and common mapping software
- Prior use of project management platforms (Asana, Trello, etc.)
- Illustration and/or photography skills
Required Competencies
- Strong proficiency in Adobe CC
- Ability to multitask
- Self-management orientation
- Strong file management and version control standards
- Excellent communication skills
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.
- This is a Hybrid position
- Travel to attend statewide, regional, program meetings and office/property site visits, which may require overnight travel. As a Statewide design position working with important public/permanent visual communications, the employee will occasionally travel to other agency office locations for overnight work assignments.
- 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).
