CPW LIFE/SOC SCI RESEARCHER/SCI IV/Human Dimensions Specialist- - Denver, United States - State of Colorado

Description

Department Information

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

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 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 Policy and Planning Branch serves CPW and the Commission by providing policy analysis and development, informing management decisions through public involvement and social science research and providing expertise for agency planning efforts.

The work products of this section are critical elements in the development and revision of parks and wildlife-related regulations, policies, programs, property planning and strategic planning activities.

By effectively involving both internal and external stakeholders in policy and planning activities, this Section assures that the best information is available for CPW and Commission decision-making.

Description of Job

Human Dimensions (HD) research, outreach and support helps CPW to understand and forecast how people's perceptions, concerns, and preferences about natural resource management help inform agency decision making and policy processes.

Additionally, HD efforts ensure that the agency is conducting robust and equitable stakeholder engagement efforts and using the most appropriate data collection techniques and research practices when soliciting input from our constituents.

This position has the lead role responsible for developing, planning, coordinating, implementing, communicating and evaluating the Division's social science research and assessment program, functions often referred to as HD or Conservation Social Science.

This position exists to incorporate human dimensions information into parks and wildlife management decisions, resulting in better understanding and communication between Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and its internal (employees) and external publics and improved resource management.

This position leads the integration of biological and social information needed for policy and management decision-making, an important role for achieving successful, comprehensive parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation management.

Program goals, objectives, plans, guidelines, procedures, schedules, priorities, performance measures and program evaluations must be established and executed.

Other duties may be assigned in support of the Policy and Planning branch's function to provide public policy planning and analysis to support CPW and the Parks and Wildlife Commission.

This position guides the current HD Scientist/Researcher III position and will collaborate with that individual to proactively identify applied social science needs within the agency and developing robust social science approaches to carry them out.

They will also provide support for agency staff when social science expertise is required. The HD Researcher IV must manage multiple projects concurrently while ensuring deadlines are met and quality deliverables are provided.


Specific tasks include:
Coordinate and Conduct Social Science Projects

Coordinate and conduct conservation social science assessment through primarily quantitative but also qualitative methodology, including surveys and other appropriate social science methodologies designed to provide scientifically valid social information to decision makers.

Quantitative analytic duties range from descriptive to more complicated inferential statistics using Qualtrics, SPSS, STATA or R.

Lead research projects from start to finish, including but not limited to:

• Identifying gaps in the literature and aligning them with agency needs
• Applying appropriate theoretical frameworks to design research studies
• Developing research objectives, questions or hypotheses
• Determining the appropriate methodology (quantitative or qualitative data collection) to address research questions/hypotheses
• Analyzing data in a timely manner using appropriate techniques/procedures/tools to do so
• Publish findings in peer reviewed manuscripts, technical reports or white papers.
• Develop timelines and budgets to carry out scientific studies.
• When applicable, build and lead research teams comprised of internal (CPW) or external partners (e.g., staff from federal organizations)

Social Science Consultation

Support regional and statewide human dimensions activities to inform the management of Colorado's wildlife, state parks and outdoor recreation. Coordinate with managers, field staff and subject matter experts to identify human dimensions needs and support implementation as needed.

Design, direct, monitor and evaluate agency social science processes to gather information that will help inform agency policy, regulations and management activities.

Apply social science methods with consideration for each situation, the issue being addressed, the stakeholders involved, and the intersection with current regulations, policy, planning and social science practices.

Identify and address potential barriers. Establish and maintain effective communication links between field personnel, the public, project collaborators, and decision makers.

Train and advise CPW personnel on how to plan for and conduct human dimensions inquiries. Advise CPW managers and staff about tools and techniques to apply social science in decision-making, policy, planning and management.

Provide a wide array of support services including the preparation of written materials, development of web content and interaction with key groups.

Provide Expertise and Share Findings

Represent CPW on boards, committees and in advisory groups at the state, regional, national and international levels as assigned or directed.

Engage in cooperative efforts with other state and federal organizations/agencies within Colorado and in other states.

Provide expertise and share findings relating to social science assessment work and provide consultation, input, interpretation, advice, findings (verbally and in writing) on issues relating to the social dimensions of natural resource and recreation management and socio-demographic trends to the Parks and Wildlife Commission, Executive Management Team, CPW employees, legislators, media, constituent groups, members of the public, and government officials.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in human dimensions research or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

A combination of related education in human dimensions, conservation social science or another field of study related to the work assignment and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years

Substitutions

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. 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
• Ph.

D. in human dimensions or conservation social science

• Research design, survey development and implementation expertise.
• Proficiency with quantitative and qualitative software programs. Experience with Qualtrics, NVivo and SPSS is a plus.
• Knowledge of statistical procedures/analysis and experience coding qualitative data
• Knowledge of parks and wildlife issues and awareness of stakeholder interests and preferences.
• Robust awareness of theoretical frameworks typically used in human dimensions of parks and wildlife research.
• Significant experience conducting needs assessments or program evaluation

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
• Must be able to travel to support public and/or Commission meetings, research projects and other CPW events around the state as needed, approximately 5-7 times/year.
• Schedule is hybrid (2-3 days/week at work address and the remainder working from home).
• 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 ), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed 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 ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at ; 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 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.
• Cover letter Requested - uploaded as an attachment to your online application.
• Resume or CV Required - uploaded as an attachment to your online application.
• CVs/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

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 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 , Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).

The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues.