Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you passionate about conservation and enjoy working with people?

Colorado West Land Trust is hiring a Land Conservation Specialist to help landowners achieve their conservation goals while advancing land protection in Western Colorado. This position offers a unique blend of project management, field work, community engagement, and conservation planning in some of Western Colorado's most remarkable landscapes.

Status     Full time, regular, non-exempt  

Reports to     Conservation Director 

Location     CWLT office in Montrose, CO - this is not a remote position

Schedule     Monday-Friday with some evenings and weekends required for board meetings and special events 

Travel      Regional travel required; urban, rural, backcountry 

Salary range     $24.50/hr - $31.75/hr 

Hiring range     $22.50/hr - $28.25/hr based on the candidate’s experience, education, and skills 

Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT) is the leading Land Trust in Western Colorado, serving a seven-county region from Grand Junction south to Ouray and Gunnison west into Grand County, Utah. CWLT has conserved over 150,000 acres through more than 600 conservation agreements over its 40-year history. CWLT is a private, charitable non-profit organization, accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and governed by an active Board of Directors. CWLT has offices in Grand Junction and Montrose, Colorado. 

CWLT’s professional staff work together cooperatively to achieve CWLT’s mission: To protect and enhance agricultural land, wildlife habitat and scenic lands in western Colorado to benefit the community at large, enrich lives, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, and ensure our connection to the land for generations to come. CWLT’s professional staff are flexible, solutions-oriented, collaborative workers who have a passion to fulfill the organization’s mission. 

JOB SUMMARY 

The Land Conservation Specialist advances the mission of Colorado West Land Trust by identifying, developing, and completing land protection projects that meet the goals and initiatives established by the Conservation Plan and Conservation Director. S/he will work closely with landowners, service providers, and funders and must be able to build and maintain friendly relationships, and professional and courteous communications with a diverse variety of constituents and stakeholders. The Land Conservation Specialist’s primary assignment is the Land Protection program; s/he will also provide support in conservation easement monitoring and stewardship. S/he must be able to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines, be proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite, and be willing and able to speak in public. The Conservation Specialist is personable, detail oriented, and is flexible with the ability to respond well to changing priorities. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

As a key member of the Colorado West Land Trust team, the Land Conservation Specialist performs all duties collaboratively, contributing to a cooperative and supportive work environment. All actions and initiatives are undertaken in alignment with the overarching goals and priorities defined through organizational planning under the guidance of the Conservation Director, ensuring that progress is consistent with CWLT’s mission and strategic direction. 

Land Conservation  

• Work closely with the Conservation Director to identify, recommend, and develop new land protection opportunities and initiatives as outlined in the Conservation Plan. 

• Work with landowners to develop conservation agreements. Work with CWLT legal counsel to draft conservation easements to ensure they meet CWLT’s goals and Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices while meeting the needs of the individual landowners. 

• Ensure all steps and due diligence for easement and acquisition projects are professionally completed including landowner negotiation, title work, appraisals, environmental hazard assessments, baseline documentation, budgeting, and required record keeping, from inception to completion. 

• Work with the Conservation Director to take projects through an organizational pipeline including intake, timely follow up, tracking, prioritizing, and advancing projects to completion. 

• Work with Conservation Director to apply for land protection and transaction cost funding; implement and report on funding received 

• In coordination with the Development Team, plan outreach events and give presentations to provide information on conservation easements, the process, and conservation easement benefits to a wide range of audiences. 

• Update LOCATE database with project information, status, and communications. 

• Prepare and submit reports, and give presentations for the Lands Committee, CWLT Board, funders and partners. 
  

Stewardship and Monitoring  

• Conduct and document annual monitoring of an assigned portfolio of conservation easement and fee properties in accordance with CWLT policies and Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices. 

• Field landowner inquiries, passing questions to appropriate conservation staff. 

• Update LOCATE database with landowner changes, property changes, and relevant communications. 

Professionalism and Teamwork 

• Build and maintain positive collegial relationships within the Conservation Team and CWLT staff at large. 

• Establish and sustain cordial, productive, and trustworthy relationships with landowners, funders, and external partners.  

• Communicate professionally, courteously, and effectively with colleagues, board members, landowners, attorneys, service providers, funders, and other partners. 

• Demonstrate problem solving skills.  Proactively develop and recommend solutions as needed. 

• Accept feedback in the spirit of growth and continuous improvement. 

• Maintain productivity when working remotely and in an office setting. 

Other responsibilities  

• Participate in Conservation Program planning and team meetings. 

• Participate in Lands Committee meetings. 

• Assist in departmental budgeting. 

• Attend Board meetings as requested by the Conservation Director. 

• Complete other duties as assigned by the Conservation Director. 

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor’s degree in conservation, natural resources, range management, or a related field; or equivalent experience in one or more of the following areas: land conservation, stewardship, real estate transaction, or conservation easement monitoring. 

• Experience with grant writing preferred. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Power Point, Word, Publisher). 

• Experience with database applications or a demonstrated proficiency in learning to use software. 

• Demonstrated ability in the interpersonal skills required to accomplish the duties listed in “Professionalism and teamwork” including communication, collaboration, problem solving, and time management. 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, negotiate solutions, and find common ground with diverse constituencies. 

• Willing and able to speak in public, experience in public speaking preferred. 

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive safely in urban, rural and some backcountry environments requiring 4-wheel drive. 

• Personal qualities of integrity, reliability, and commitment to the mission. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer. 

• Occasionally traverse rough outdoor terrain such as gravel and packed dirt, uneven ground, and navigate around obstacles. 

WORK ENVIROMENT

• Environment for office work is temperature controlled. 

• Outdoor activities may expose individual to weather elements such as rain, snow, wind, heat and cold. 

• Field work may require employee to be alone in remote, backcountry locations possibly without cellular service. 

BENEFITS

Current employer paid benefits package includes employer paid health insurance; short- and long-term disability; life insurance; employee assistance plan; 15 days paid vacation, 10 days paid sick time, 11 paid holidays; 403(b) retirement plan with company match after 1 year. Additional employee paid supplementary insurance plans available: dental, vision, life, accident, critical illness, and hospitalization.