State/local government and nonprofit jobs
Beyond federal agencies, there are also hundreds of jobs and opportunities at the state and local levels to choose from. Do you care about local issues and topics that affect yourself, friends or family in your area? If so, a state or local government job might be more suitable for you! See the employers page for more information about state and local job opportunities.
Application process
State jobs
All of Colorado’s state agencies have a combination of seasonal, temporary and permanent positions to choose from. Some also offer paid internships. An internship or seasonal position may be a good opportunity to start your career. If you don’t have a specific state agency in mind, start by searching for open positions at careers.colorado.gov where most state positions are posted.
Local government jobs
Each local government has a different hiring process. Look to see what county and city you live in and those around you. Local agencies are just that – local – so you have easier access to stop by their office and inquire about the agency, potential openings and volunteer opportunities to find your fit.
Nonprofit jobs
Each nonprofit organization has its own unique application process. The size of a nonprofit organization also varies. There are hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the state that specialize in issue areas related to natural resources. From policy, to public lands and everything in between, getting your career started at a nonprofit is a great way to find your niche.
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Agencies may provide supplemental questions such as checking to see if you submitted transcripts or self-rating yourself on your experience and qualifications. This section is very similar to the Occupational Questionnaire for the federal application process and you should give yourself the highest rating that you can justify for each category.
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Sign up to get job posting notifications for jobs with the State of Colorado that you’re interested in! Go to Government Jobs, then under the “Menu” tab in the upper left, click on the link for “Job Categories/Job Interest Cards.”
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Don’t wait to apply to state jobs! Some job postings with the State of Colorado close at a certain number of candidates so the sooner you can get your application in, the better.
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Working at a nonprofit organization is a great way to showcase your adaptability and flexibility. Nonprofits often operate on limited budgets and resources so you may get exposure to a variety of roles and responsibilities.
Resources
Discover more about a specific career path and other resources on My Colorado Journey.