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CPW PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER III / Capital Development Program Manager (Denver, CO)

State of Colorado

Denver Metro, COFull-time$119–143K/yrPosted 4 days agoStill listed 3 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$119–143K/yr
Location
Denver Metro, CO
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Colorado Professional Engineer License

Job overview

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Statewide Capital Program Manager provides strategic direction and engineering governance for capital construction, infrastructure improvement, dam safety, and asset management programs. The role establishes statewide engineering standards, oversees complex projects and technical risk, and manages unit supervisors and work leads across a multidisciplinary section. It also serves as CPW’s delegate to the State Architect and provides responsible-charge engineering oversight.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Capital Program ManagementStrategic PrioritizationLeadership and Staff DevelopmentFinancial ManagementProject Delivery and Risk ManagementContracting and ProcurementTechnical JudgmentCollaboration and Relationship ManagementCommunication and Decision SupportAccountability and Continuous ImprovementCapital Construction Portfolio ManagementStaff Supervision and DevelopmentMultiyear Capital PlanningCapital Budget ManagementPublic-Sector ProcurementConstruction Contract Administration

Qualifications

Colorado Professional Engineer License3 Years Related Experience1 Year Supervisory ExperienceRelated Education for Experience SubstitutionCurrent or Former State ExperienceExperience Managing Capital ProjectsExperience Supervising Technical StaffExperience Developing Capital PlansExperience Managing Capital BudgetsPublic-Sector Procurement Experience

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Tuition Assistance

Full job description

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today – and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children.

We invite you to explore our website at https://dnr.colorado.gov/about-us to find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado’s natural resources for today – and tomorrow.

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.

In addition to offering rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:• Medical and Dental plans

  • Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 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.

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE Our 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.

The Capital Development Program Section manages professional engineering, asset management, facility design, environmental/water resource engineering, structural maintenance, and landscape architecture programs statewide for the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The Section provides expert technical oversight in civil, structural, geotechnical, and environmental engineering, including dam safety monitoring, site engineering, water infrastructure, fish hatcheries, and building systems. The Section establishes and enforces agency-wide engineering design standards, ensures compliance with building codes and delegated State Buildings authority, and manages complex capital development budgets.This position serves as the Statewide Capital Program Manager for CPW. The position is responsible for the overall strategic direction, engineering governance, tactical planning, and administration of CPW’s capital construction, infrastructure improvement, dam safety, and asset management programs. Operating as a Professional Engineer III, this position applies advanced engineering principles to establish statewide design standards, review and approve complex engineering plans, ensure statutory compliance (CRS 12-25-101), and oversee technical risk management for physical assets across Colorado. The position acts as a 2nd-level supervisor (Manager), directly managing unit supervisors and work leads over professional engineering design, dam safety, capital asset tracking, and complex facility operations.

Strategic Engineering Program Governance & Tactical Planning Establishes statewide engineering objectives, technical guidelines, and tactical plans for all CPW infrastructure, dams, hatcheries, state parks, and wildlife facilities. Interprets complex engineering needs, statutory requirements, and environmental mandates to create agency-wide engineering standards and specifications where pre-existing guidelines do not exist. Develops and maintains a systematic asset condition assessment protocol using advanced engineering analysis to evaluate, prioritize, and justify capital infrastructure projects statewide. Formulates capital construction funding proposals, engineering cost estimates, and risk analyses for presentation to the CPW Executive Management Team, Parks and Wildlife Commission, and external funding bodies (e.g., GOCO, federal partners).

Engineering Supervision & Technical Unit Management Serves as a second-level supervisor (Manager) over a multi-disciplinary technical section comprising ~20 FTE. Supervises unit supervisors over the Design Engineering Group, Dam Safety Group, Capital Asset Group, and facility maintenance operations. Holds direct accountability and signature authority for employee performance plans, appraisals, hiring, promotion, corrective actions, and grievance resolutions. Directs work allocation, monitors technical deliverables for correctness and engineering soundness, and fosters professional development for subordinate engineering and technical staff.

Code Compliance, Delegated State Authority & Professional Seal Oversight Acts as CPW’s official delegate to the State Architect, ensuring all capital projects adhere to building, life/safety, and engineering codes. Provides authoritative engineering interpretation of international building codes (IBC), local environmental standards, and statutory engineering mandates. Serves as responsible charge engineer reviewing and approving engineering contracts, structural calculations, change orders, pay requests, and closeout documents. Determines when specialized engineering analyses (geotechnical, hydrologic, structural, environmental) are required for project execution.

Engineering Project Management Standards & Consultant Oversight Establishes agency-wide project management standards for capital development and capital improvement projects. Directs the qualification-based selection (QBS), negotiation, and contracting of professional engineering and architectural consultants. Establishes technical standards for design plans, specifications, construction cost estimating, field observations, and quality assurance protocols. Represents CPW in technical claims, contractor dispute resolutions, and complex engineering contract negotiations.

Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors

AND

Three (3) years of professional experience in engineering, construction management, program management/project management or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position one (1) of which must have been at the level of a unit supervisor, staff authority, or equivalent.

Substitutions• Appropriate education in addition to that required for the professional engineer license will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis

Required Competencies• Capital program management

  • Strategic prioritization
  • Leadership and staff development
  • Financial management
  • Project delivery and risk management
  • Contracting and procurement
  • Technical judgment
  • Collaboration and relationship management
  • Communication and decision support
  • Accountability and continuous improvement

Preferred Qualifications:• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.

  • Experience managing a portfolio of capital construction, facility improvement, or infrastructure projects across multiple locations.
  • Experience supervising and developing professional or technical staff, including setting priorities, managing workloads, and evaluating performance.
  • Experience developing multiyear capital plans and prioritizing investments based on asset condition, risk, operational needs, and available resources.
  • Experience managing capital budgets supported by multiple funding sources, including cost estimating, expenditure forecasting, and financial reporting.
  • Experience with public-sector procurement and construction contract administration, including consultant selection, scope development, change orders, and contractor performance management.
  • Experience coordinating project delivery with operational staff, design professionals, contractors, regulatory agencies, and executive leadership.
  • Experience delivering projects in parks, outdoor recreation settings, wildlife facilities, remote locations, or other geographically dispersed operations.
  • Experience establishing or improving project management procedures, portfolio reporting, and performance measures.
  • Proficiency with project management and financial analysis tools, such as scheduling software, Microsoft Excel, and reporting dashboards.
  • Demonstrated success communicating complex project issues and presenting clear recommendations to senior leaders and nontechnical audiences.

Conditions of Employment

  • State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.

  • Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license for operating a State vehicle.

  • Statewide travel to various construction projects. This includes visiting current or future projects. On average travel will be approximately 12 times per year.

  • Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors.

  • Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position. (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).

  • Pursuant to the DNR-120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle. To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who:

  • Have an assigned State fleet vehicle

  • Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position

  • Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

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 ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) 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; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; 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. 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.

  • This recruitment may be used to fill more than one vacancy at this level and reporting location.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

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.

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 accommodation, please contact our Benefits Specialist at [email protected] at 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 DNR uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. 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.

How this job compares

Set against the 5,255 open Engineering Manager jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 27, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$119–143K/yr
  • Colorado median$142–231K/yr168 salary ranges
  • US median$148–253K/yr4,198 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $131K, is 32% below the Colorado median midpoint ($192K) — in the lowest quarter of Engineering Manager salary ranges in Colorado.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 182 open Engineering Manager jobs in Colorado and 5,255 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Colorado
Experience
This posting asks for at least 3 years of experience — less than three in four Engineering Manager postings that state a minimum ask for (median 7 years, across 4,649 postings).
Education
2,483 of the 5,255 open Engineering Manager jobs (47%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 27, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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