Headwaters of the Colorado Manager

About Western Landowners Alliance (WLA): Founded in 2012 by landowners and managers, the organization aims to increase the wellbeing of working lands in the American West and the living communities, including human and wildlife, that depend on them.

Position Overview: The Headwaters of the Colorado Manager will work with organizational and program leadership to provide support to landowners and collaborative partners for the Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative of Colorado and Wyoming. The position will provide boots- on-the-ground capacity needed to assist landowners and collaborative partners in the Headwaters of the Colorado in bringing large scale, watershed improvement projects on private and adjacent public lands from concept to a “shovel ready” status so they are ripe for relevant funding opportunities (i.e., BIL, IRA, Farm Bill). The Headwaters of the Colorado Manager will be responsible for providing the support needed for convening stakeholders, project planning, project management and oversight, and grant writing.

Amount of Time & Status: 40 hours a week, exempt, Monday-Friday, typically between 8AM and 5PM mountain time. Occasional work on weekends and outside these hours will be required.

Location: This position is remote and requires residency in the Headwaters of the Colorado landscape. In-person attendance to events is required. Periodic travel will be required.

Reports to: Headwaters of the Colorado Steering Committee, with direct supervision by the chair of the Headwaters of the Colorado. The position is fiscally sponsored by Western Landowners Alliance.

Compensation: $65,000-$80,000. Salary is commensurate with experience. Western Landowners Alliance offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, parental and medical leave, 403b retirement savings account with a discretionary match, life insurance, short- term disability benefits, and an employee assistance program.

Duties/Responsibilities Include:

• Assist the chair of the Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative and the executive committee and steering committees with running meetings, developing agendas, taking minutes, calling for votes, and maintaining the official records of the Headwaters of the Colorado.
• Regularly update members of the executive and steering committees on the progress of projects, new developments, and opportunities that may need their attention.
• Work with the chair and the executive committee to plan, coordinate, and run the Initiative’s collaborative meetings with partner organizations and members of the public. Develop agendas, coordinate speakers, take minutes, and maintain records.
• Work with subcommittee chairs to develop agendas, take minutes of their meetings, and support the effective functioning of the subcommittees and the overall Initiative.
• Explore grant opportunities, cost-share programs, and financial and technical assistance from government agencies and private organizations. Develop and pursue grants as directed by the Headwaters of the Colorado steering committee.
• Explore funding opportunities, write, and administer grants for building staff capacity.
• At the direction of the steering committee, develop and manage contracts, including supervising contractors.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for the Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative, managing inquiries from individuals, agencies, and organizations, while also assisting with the planning, coordination, and monitoring of complex watershed projects. This includes working closely with project teams, stockgrowers associations, state and federal agencies, local governments, conservation districts, ditch companies, place-based landowner-led organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain communications with stakeholders by phone, e-mail, and in writing; schedule and organize meetings. Keep record of all stakeholders and key interactions.
• Attend meetings and conferences that align with the Initiative’s mission and goals and report back with updates, summaries, and opportunities.
• Use technology aids and maintain the website to support updates, summaries, and opportunities.
• Assist collaborative partners in watershed health, wildfire mitigation, and agricultural efficiency project development, planning and design, and support these projects in seeking relevant funding opportunities.
• Communicate barriers and opportunities related to accessing watershed restoration funding and resources.
• Create reports and perform benchmarking exercises as required.
• Other duties as assigned by the Headwaters of the Colorado chair and executive and steering committees.
• Maintain open communications with, and submit detailed monthly project updates, short weekly briefings, and required paperwork in a timely manner to, Western Landowners Alliance as requested.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution or equivalent work experience required
• Experience working with a diverse board of directors (steering committee), board governance and responsibilities and working with board leadership.
• Working knowledge of water administration and delivery, and conservation practices and policies
• Project management experience
• Grant writing experience
• Experience with preparing and managing annual and project budgets.
• Working knowledge of land, water, and natural resource issues in the Rocky Mountain West including ranching, conservation, and policies related to these issues
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; detail oriented, strong independent work ethic; and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work with a diverse set of stakeholders that have varying opinions and perspectives on land and water management in the Rocky Mountain West
• Willingness and ability to maintain confidential information and work with diverse populations
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required

Working Environment/Physical Activities: Work environment is an office setting and outdoors. Physical activities include sitting at a desk and working on a keyboard and computer several hours a day; conducting business over the telephone and via email; standing for long periods of time; traveling long distances by vehicle (including traveling on unpaved roads); and walking on rough terrain. Mileage reimbursement will be provided at the federal reimbursement rate. This position may also require moving materials up to 25 pounds. This position requires facilitation of meetings and interfacing professionally with the public.