Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) human resources personnel and wildlife officers will soon travel around the state as part of the agency’s annual recruitment and hiring efforts, seeking individuals who are interested in applying for wildlife manager positions.For the past four years, DOW representatives have organized public presentations to discuss the testing and hiring process for entry-level wildlife manager positions. This year, they will be available for questions at a dozen recruiting sessions around the state. Speakers will explain minimum qualifications, the testing process, types of tests given, how to prepare for tests, wildlife officer duties and what to expect during the first year of training.”For the past several years, almost everyone hired as a Wildlife Manager I attended one of our presentations,” said DOW human resources manager Gary Berlin, who attends the sessions every year. “We pack an incredible amount of information into the 90-minute presentations.”The DOW has a rich tradition of recruiting talented and dedicated professionals to manage Colorado’s wildlife resources. In working to maintain this tradition, the hiring process for this entry-level position is very competitive. Anyone interested in applying for these positions must meet the minimum qualifications: a degree in natural resources or a related degree in biology, wildlife management, environmental science, range management or zoology.”District wildlife managers are an important part of the presentations as they share their personal experiences with the testing process. Some even remember the questions from the year they tested. They provide great insight into a pretty competitive selection process,” said Rita Laitres, a human resources specialist at the DOW who also attends the sessions every year.Laitres stressed that a good strategy to successfully maneuver through the intensive testing process would be to attend one of the many recruitment presentations scheduled in October and November.Jason Duetsch, a 2004 Colorado State University graduate and a current wildlife manager trainee, said he appreciated spending an evening with knowledgeable people who could answer his questions.”After the presentation was over the presenters were more than happy to stay and answer all our questions. It was nice to receive that kind of attention from professionals who care,” he said.The Colorado Springs session will be held at the Colorado Division of Wildlife Regional Office, 4255 Sinton Road, on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 6-7:30 p.m.For more information about Division of Wildlife go to http://wildlife.state.co.us.
