(DNR Only) Senior Environmental Protection Specialist

Department Information

• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax 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. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch
 
Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety:
The Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) consists of four programs: the Coal Regulatory program, the Minerals Regulatory program, the Inactive Mine Reclamation program, and Mine Safety and Training program. The division is committed to balance the need for mineral resource production with protection of the public, environment and Colorado's natural resources. The mission of DRMS is to protect the public, miners and the environment during current mining operations, restore abandoned mines, and to ensure that all mined land is reclaimed to beneficial use.

For more information about the Division, please go to http://mining.state.co.us

Active Mine Reclamation Program:
This work unit exists to ensure that mining is conducted in compliance with the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act for the Extraction of Construction Materials and Hard Rock Mining, the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act and the Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board to ensure that the lands disturbed by mining are reclaimed to beneficial use, and that the environment and the health and safety of the people of the State are protected during and after mining. The unit ensures that state-of-the-practices in scientific and engineering principles are applied by operators in complying with the Acts and Regulations. The unit monitors and inspects mine and prospecting/exploration sites, taking actions where necessary to document present conditions at the site and enforce the provisions of the appropriate Acts, Rules and Regulations, and the approved mining and reclamation for the specific permits. The unit, through enforcement actions, must prosecute potential violators before the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board by providing evidence of the specific statutes and Rules and Regulations violated. The unit calculates the cost of site reclamation and liabilities using the approved mining and reclamation plans, field observations and measurements, technical expertise and a computer-based reclamation cost estimating program. The unit investigates cases of possible illegal mining or prospecting/exploration operations and responds to citizen complaints against permitted and unpermitted mining operations.

This work unit exists to implement and enforce the Colorado Surface Coal Mine Reclamation Act (Coal Act), the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act (Hard Rock Act), the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act for the Extraction of Construction Materials (Construction Materials Act), and SB89-181, ensuring that mining in the State is conducted in compliance with the Acts and Regulations; and that mined lands are reclaimed to beneficial uses, impacts to the environment are minimized, and the health and safety of the public are protected.

Description of Job

Position Summary:
This position exists to supervise and train a team of Environmental Protection Specialists (EPS) who administer the above Acts and their regulations.  The position will interview candidates for EPS positions, evaluate staff performance, and recommend various personnel actions as appropriate. The position makes, reviews, and implements decisions concerning mine permit applications, revisions to permits, and enforcement actions for staff under its supervision, as well as assisting the Program Directors in policy development and review. The position also assists the Division and Program Directors with other issues as determined by the Director(s) including preparation and reviews of program policy, guidelines, regulatory or statutory revisions, and Memoranda of Understanding with other agencies.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications
Nine (9) years of professional experience in the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, related to the Active Mines Program.

- OR -

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in geo-chemistry, geology, hydrology, natural science, environmental science, physical science, engineering or a related field.

AND

Five (5) years of professional experience in the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, related to the Active Mines Program.

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.
• The preferred candidate will have experience as a team leader, leadership courses, and the ability to supervise others.
• The preferred candidate will have in-depth understanding of the statutes and rules
  governing the requirements of Coal and Minerals Programs.

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, US Mail, faxed or hand delivered 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 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.

A salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

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.

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 [email protected]. 

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 an accommodation, please contact our ADAAA Coordinator [email protected] 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

The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program's Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. 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.   Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.

Benefits

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 agency's 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.
 

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of ColoradoAddress See the full announcement by clicking
the "Printer" icon located above the job title
Location varies by announcement, Colorado, -- Website https://careers.colorado.gov/