| Location | Chaffee County, CO |
| Salary | $51,360–$74,484 Per Year |
CPW Hatchery Technician III-Chalk Cliffs Hatchery - Onsite
Salary
$51,360.00 - $74,484.00 Annually
Location
Chaffee County, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
PMA 00226 08/26
Department
Department of Natural Resources
Division
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Opening Date
08/10/2026
Closing Date
8/24/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
22605 County Rd 287 Nathrop, CO 81236
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Patrick Warnes patrick.warnes@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.
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.
Department Information
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
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:
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 Colorados natural resources.
This work unit exists to produce 500,000-600,000 10 inch rainbow trout for distribution to public waters throughout Colorado according to the approved stocking schedule.
Description of Job
This position exists to perform various functions related to sustaining a proper biological environment to produce and distribute aquatic wildlife. The position makes precise biological and environmental assessments, and ascertains and sustains proper water quality.
Fish Culture
Produce 550,000-600,000 10" trout by anticipating and manipulating the rearing environment to include: nutrition and feeding, sorting and moving fish, picking eggs, counting, weighing, reading, spawning, hatching eggs, cleaning rearing areas, and record keeping.
Fish Distribution
Annually distributes 550,000-600,000 live trout statewide by loading fish on to truck mounted transport tanks, maintaining an acceptable environment for fish health while in transit, assessing receiving water to ensure that it is suitable habitat for fish, and stock fish. Transport involves safely driving trucks that require class B CDL drivers license, and complying with state and federal motor-carrier safety requirements and regulations.
Maintain Fish Health
Maintain fish health by recognizing signs and symptoms of stressed and diseased fish. Analyze health problems through observation and use of microscope for pathogen identification, or through consultation with fish health personnel. Treat fish disease outbreaks with various drugs and chemicals, requiring knowledge of drug and chemical applicability, water flow measurement, drug and chemical application formulas and calculations, safe chemical use, and chemical application techniques. Keep supervisors and coworkers informed of fish health issues.
Equipment Operation
Operates various vehicles and equipment in a safe and efficient manner, including but not limited to: snowplows, dump trucks, forklifts, hydraulic cranes, tractor and backhoe, pumps, feed blower, feed auger, welders, power tools, and generators.
Facility and Grounds Maintenance
Ensure buildings and infrastructure are in good working order. Make repairs and modifications as needed, and at times build or fabricate new equipment. Operate various equipment for ground maintenance on hatchery grounds and for maintenance and repairs.
Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance
Ensure that equipment and vehicles are in safe and proper working condition by inspecting, lubricating, cleaning, servicing and completing scheduled maintenance. Keep supervisors and coworkers informed of maintenance needs and safety issues.
Public Relations
Promotes and explains the policies, goals, and activities of CO Parks and Wildlife to the public through interactions with visitors to the hatchery or members of the public when conducting work away from the hatchery. Presents a courteous and professional bearing in all interactions with the public.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Three years of work experience in aquaculture, propagating and/or rearing fish, fish culture, collecting and recording of aquatic wildlife data, and/or professional aquatic research or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.
Substitutions
Class Code: Technician III
Required Competencies:
Preferred Qualifications
Conditions of Employment
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 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 Directors 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 will 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.
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. 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 at dnr_hr_employeebenefits@state.co.us.
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
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.
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits
Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
The Colorado Constitution, Article XII, Section 13 requires that APPLICANTS for state classified government jobs be residents of Colorado at the time of application, unless this requirement is waived by the State Personnel Board (DPA). A residency waiver was not issued by DPA for this announcement. For more information, please see the FAQs at: https://careers.colorado.gov/how-to-apply. Are you a current Colorado resident?
02
Current and former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or who were deemed to have resigned without notice (Board Rule 7-5, Automatic Resignation) must disclose this information on the application.
03
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify you application from the current position: (if not applicable, please enter "N/A")
04
Please briefly describe why youre interested in working for Colorado Parks & Wildlife:
05
Please describe your experience in aquaculture, propagating and/or rearing fish and fish culture. Be specific with location and dates:
06
Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?
07
Do you have a CDL Class B with N-Liquid Bulk/Cargo Tanks and air brakes endorsement?
08
If you are using education to meet or substitute for qualifications, did you upload a copy of your official or unofficial transcript? (Your transcript is required as verification that you meet the requirements).
09
If you are using education as a substitute for the required experience, please describe your education experience on a year-by-year basis in biology, fisheries research, fisheries management, or fisheries biology, ecology, wildlife management, zoology, marine biology, or ichthyology. Describe how it relates to the work assignment (If you are not using education as a substitute please put N/A):
10
Please select which range most accurately reflects your years of work experience in the aquaculture field, fishery or wildlife biology, or a closely related field that includes at least one year of experience propagating and rearing native species and/or sport fish (warm, cool and/or cold water species:
11
Please describe your experience in collecting and recording of aquatic wildlife data and/or professional aquatic research. Be specific with location and dates. :
12
Please select the areas of work experience you possess:
13
Please describe your experience in propagating and rearing Colorado native species and/or sport fish (warm, cool, and/or cold water species). You must include where the experience was gained, duties performed, and in mm/yy - mm/yy format. Statements such as "see application" will not be accepted in lieu of a response.
14
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 since 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.
15
Successful completion and passing of a pre-employment Physical, Drug Testing & Background Check are required for placement in this position.
16
Do you understand and accept the terms outlined in the conditions of employment outlined in the job posting?
Required Question
Employer State of Colorado
Address See the full announcement by clicking
the "Printer" icon located above the job title
Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --
Website https://careers.colorado.gov/