CPW Bear Education Coordinator

Title: CPW Bear Education Coordinator
Start/End Dates: April 1, 2024 – September 13, 2023
Stipend: $600 per week stipend paid on a bi-weekly basis + $200 per week living allowance
Term: 24 weeks, 40 hours a week
Location: Based out of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office Durango, CO
Status: 900-hour AmeriCorps Service Term
Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award $3,447.50 after successful completion and access to Employee Assistant Program

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects primarily on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training on job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member’s needs. Members receive a weekly living allowance, training, and an AmeriCorps Education Award (for qualifying individuals).

Program Overview:
Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s (CPW) 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. Area 15 of CPW serves this mission to southwest Colorado in La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, Archuleta and San Juan counties. CPW is the first point of contact with the public both through the Durango Service Center and field staff answering hunting and fishing questions, addressing wildlife conflicts, providing “living with wildlife” information, selling park passes and doing vehicle/vessel registrations, hunter education and wildlife biology questions.

The Individual Placement (IP) will provide education to visitors and will also serve as the Bear Education liaison in Area 15, supporting staff in helping the general public to be “Bear Aware” through education outreach and site visits. In addition, the IP will assist the Area 15 terrestrial biologist, aquatic biologist, and District Wildlife Managers with projects as needed. Potential projects would consist of archery and fishery clinics, aquatic and terrestrial surveys, and hunter education/recruitment events. Area 15 CPW is committed to recruiting future employees. The IP will have opportunities to serve at some of the local State Parks in the area such as Navajo, Mancos, and Ridgeway State Parks, gain experience with park activities and operations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities Include:

Assist with Providing Education to Visitors of the area and the Local Community:
• Education surrounding hunting and fishing licenses, addressing wildlife conflicts, “living with wildlife,” local state parks, vehicle/vessel registration and wildlife biology

Initiate Bear Aware Program in the Durango/La Plata County Community:
• Engage the Durango & La Plata County communities on CPW’s Bear Aware program
• Work with the local DWM’s to target communities where conflicts are or have historically occurred
• Shadow local DWM’s and field staff on active bear management which can include trapping and processing of live bears, engaging community members through outreach efforts, attending collaborative community group meetings and working with the La Plata County Bear Resource Center

Shadowing Field Staff:
• Assist field staff with surveys – aquatic and terrestrial
• Participate in “ride-alongs” with DWM’s
• Work with parks customer service staff and shadow park field staff to oversee park operations

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:
• Have or working towards a degree in the Natural Resource field, including but not limited to biology, wildlife biology, fisheries or natural resource management
• Public speaking skills
• Ability to handle difficult members of the general public
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to tailor education outreach and messaging to diverse groups of varying age demographics
• Comfortability talking to the public both in person and on the phone individually and in a group setting

Training Provided:
• Techniques and content for answering customer questions relating to wildlife conflicts, hunting and fishing, field training, and “Bear Aware” program training

Potential Environmental or Human Risk Involved:
• Handling wildlife both alive and dead
• Gathering biological information such as measurements, tooth extraction, DNA samples, working with knives, tooth elevators
• Filed work involves uneven terrain, slips trips and falls
• Vehicle use and various equipment hazards

Housing Provided: No

General Requirements:
• Received or on track to receive high school diploma or GED
• Valid U.S Driver's License
• Per grant funding, candidate must be 18-30 years of age, up to 35 years of age if veteran status
• U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks

Apply Now!
To apply, please submit an updated resume and letter of interest along with the online application.

Contact Niki Antonio with any questions | nantonio@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy strives to create a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to experience the outdoors and improve our shared outdoor spaces. Conservation Legacy encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply for this position. We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Conservation Legacy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

*Internship is dependent on grant funding*