Eastern Invertebrate and Rare Plant Temporary Technicians – Denver

This is a temporary position (9 months or less) paying $20.00‑22.00 per hour. 9‑month position:
Employment starts 04/01/2026 (or earlier) through 12/30/2026; 6‑month position:
Employment starts 04/01/2026 (or earlier) through 09/30/2026.

To apply:

submit your application, a resume, and a list of 3 references (but no cover letter). We plan to notify applicants within two weeks after the closing date. Interviews will likely be scheduled the week of February 9‑13.

The mission of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources is to develop, preserve, and enhance the state's natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future citizens and visitors. In an effort to build diversity and inclusion we welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (CPW) is hiring temporary positions within the Species Conservation for Invertebrates and Rare Plants (SCIP) unit. SCIP is a statewide unit focusing on the study and conservation of invertebrates and rare plants throughout the state. This position will assist in inventorying and monitoring invertebrates and rare plants across Colorado. The position is based in Grand Junction, CO.

The Grand Junction–based team will work primarily in the Western half of the state and involve travel across the state, navigating/hiking diverse terrain, conducting surveys, processing samples, aiding in specimen identification, and entering data. Two invertebrate and rare plant technicians will be hired to work collaboratively as a team under the direct supervision of CPW’s Western Rare Plant and Invertebrate Conservation Biologist.

We expect to hire one 9‑month technician and one 6‑month technician for the Western team.

• Perform invertebrate and rare plant surveys & monitoring across ecosystems throughout Colorado, in both front country and backcountry settings, with variable hours.
• Collect information on newly discovered or existing invertebrate and rare plant populations.
• Aid in statewide monitoring for the Bumble Bee Atlas, including training local CPW staff to conduct surveys.
• Collaborate with partners across state, federal, and nonprofit agencies in coordinated monitoring efforts.
• Coordinate with volunteers and other state staff to collect repeat data at strategically placed bee blocks.
• Plan field visits, including assisting with logistical planning, gear management, preparing maps, and coordinating with local stakeholders and property managers.
• Enter, process, and analyze data that has been gathered throughout the field season in order to inform state management decisions, outreach materials, etc.
• Compile data into reports for internal and external outreach.

• Valid driver’s license required for operating a state vehicle.
• Able to travel statewide, for multiple days Mon‑Fri, for at least 60% of the field season (typically April‑September).
• Able to work unconventional hours on occasion (nocturnal invertebrate surveys).
• Experience with backcountry travel under variable weather conditions.
• Must be willing to camp for multiple nights in remote areas of the state.
• Excellent organization, time‑management, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Self‑motivated, proactive, attentive to detail, and able to work efficiently independently, in a small team, and with diverse partners and landowners.

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, ecology, botany, rangeland science, or other closely related field - OR - at least 2 years of related experience.
• Experience conducting monitoring surveys, inventories, or other field research on invertebrates and/or rare plants.
• Experience with invertebrate and/or Colorado plant identification.
• Experience with following rigorous protocols for data collection and data entry.
• Proficient in ESRI GIS applications including Arc Map/Arc Pro, ArcGIS Online and Collector/Field Maps.
• Strong scientific and technical writing skills.
• Experience with data entry and analysis.

Temporary employees participate in PERA (State employee retirement program), and accrue paid sick leave, but do not receive medical benefits, paid holidays or paid vacation. Sick leave rolls over…