Department Information Who we are: Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal-your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.
Mission: The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.
Core Values: Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect
CDA Wildly Important Goals: To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on four "wildly important goals:"
Goal 1: Building Economic and Supply Chain Resilience
Goal 2: Advancing Voluntary Stewardship
Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture
Goal 4: Promoting Animal Health and Welfare
We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website.
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.
Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: Description of Job This is a seasonal position that will start on May 1, 2024 and end by October 20, 2024. As a seasonal position, selected applicant will not be eligible for unemployment insurance at the end of assignment. This position will work in the Insectary in Palisade Colorado and various locations as needed.
Position duties: Setting up, servicing, and removing insect traps for potential pests throughout the state of Colorado. Duties will include:
Collecting insect and/or plant tissue samples
Maintaining effectiveness of traps, driving from location to location
Recording pertinent data.
The individual will be responsible for a tablet, which they will maintain and use to record and submit data in the field. At times, some walking/ hiking may be required to place and service traps. Professional communication will be required to maintain good relationships with farmers, land owners, and business owners. Some lifting may be required, up to 50 lbs. Verbal or written weekly reports will be expected by the supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights Minimum Requirements: Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
Experience or equivalent education in pest management, land management, natural resources, or related field
Preferred Qualifications: Insect and/or plant identification skills
Bachelor's degree in entomology, botany, or relevant agriculture or natural resources field
Insect and/or plant identification skills
Conditions of Employment: Ability to complete work independently
Be highly organized and able to maintain clear and reliable records
Physically capable of safely working long hours, in all weather conditions
Current Colorado Driver's license with clean driving record
Ability to work with large numbers of insects
Important Information: Part of, or the entire selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.
Please submit the following: Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application (Download PDF reader) . Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement. Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable) Factors that will be assessed: Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement. Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional, and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement. Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred. Supplemental Information Important Information: Part of, or the entire exam for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application material. Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received. Therefore, it is very important that you clearly describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.
All applications that are received by the closing date of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement by a Human Resources Specialist. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
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 by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment date 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.
The Department of Agriculture 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 Mary Hunt, at or call .
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.
