The Western Slope Conservation Center is currently accepting applications for Public Lands Program Director.
Position Summary: The Public Lands Program Director is a full-time exempt staff position with the Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC). This position provides a unique opportunity to make lasting positive change on spectacular and diverse public lands on Colorado’s Western Slope.
The Public Lands Program Director will be the lead on WSCC advocacy and stewardship projects on public lands in the Lower Gunnison River Watershed. The Program Director will work closely with the Executive Director to develop strategic program vision and create effective campaign plans. The Program Director will lead public lands program implementation, coordinating with WSCC contractors, and recruiting and mobilizing volunteers.
The Public Lands Program Director works under the direct supervision of the Executive Director. The schedule is flexible (as coordinated with the Executive Director), varying day-to-day and week-to-week, with a minimum of 40-hour work weeks. Frequent nights and weekends are required due to meeting and event schedules, often one to two nights per week and one or more Sat/Sun commitments per month. The position will include occasional traveling within the region, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking within statewide and national professional conservation networks.
Position Responsibilities
- Program Development: Collaborate with Executive Director, WSCC Public Lands Committee Chair, contractors, and partners to develop and lead strategic public land program management
- Develop and strengthen WSCC partnerships with various local, regional, and national partner organizations
- Support WSCC Public Lands Committee, including attending public lands committee meetings, providing staff assistance as necessary, and supporting public lands committee events and outreach
- Campaign Coordination: Collaborate with Executive Director, WSCC contractors, and partners to develop and implement tactics to achieve campaign success
- Develop creative and strategic approaches for stakeholder outreach and partnerships
- Recruit, engage, and mobilize local volunteers to participate in advocacy and/or stewardship opportunities
- Grant Management and Development: Work with Executive Director to coordinate ongoing grant reporting; identify and coordinate acquisition of additional grant funding for future WSCC public lands programs
- Communication & Outreach: Promote and publicize all WSCC public lands projects and programs using traditional and social media outlets; organize educational events as appropriate; support WSCC staff and board in organizing other educational events as needed
Desired Qualities
- Collaborative, outgoing, personable, and enthusiastic
- Excellent writing, speaking and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational and office skills
- Proven experience with grant writing, management, and reporting
- Ability to work independently and self-directed as part of a high-functioning team
- Flexible and creative approach to accomplishing large workloads
- Strong commitment to public lands advocacy and stewardship — with previous coordination experience on the Western Slope of Colorado preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
Compensation and benefits: This is a full-time exempt position requiring some evenings and weekends. Benefits include health stipend, paid holidays and accrued paid time off (PTO). Personal vehicle required, with travel reimbursed at federal rate. Additional non-financial benefits include the opportunity to live and work in a spectacular rural mountain location with a high quality of life and affordable living costs.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three reference contacts in one PDF document to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.
Application deadline: The application deadline is January 25 or until the position is filled.
More about the Western Slope Conservation Center
The WSCC is a fun and dynamic grassroots environmental organization that has been carrying out watershed stewardship, public lands advocacy, and environmental education for the past 40 years. Our offices are located in the idyllic agricultural mountain town of Paonia, at the base of the West Elk Mountains in Delta County, Colorado. The North Fork Valley is a rare gem of high-quality rural living with unparalleled access to public lands and outdoor recreation, including backcountry skiing, rafting, hiking, running, and biking. It also boasts the highest density of organic farms in the state of Colorado and the highest elevation viticultural area in the country.
To learn more about the WSCC, please visit our website: https://westernslopeconservation.org/
WSCC provides equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information, or other protected statuses.
