Rio Grande Program Manager

Founded in 2002, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works with 60+ partner groups, its Corporate Council, and its 140,000 members and supporters to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish. We unite and amplify our partners’ voices by strengthening federal policy and funding around conservation, habitat, and access.     

The TRCP is looking for an experienced professional to join this high performing, highly dynamic team. The Rio Grande Program Manager will play a key role in supporting TRCP’s conservation priorities by leading policy initiatives and strategic partnerships across the Rio Grande watershed. This role will work closely with TRCP’s western-based and national teams, as well as non-governmental partners, government agencies, Pueblos, acequias, elected officials, and other partners.  

This position is remote and based within an hour of Santa Fe, New Mexico.  

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Serve as TRCP’s policy lead for the Rio Grande watershed with focus on advancing federal and state policy initiatives such as increasing public funding for watershed conservation and restoration initiatives, ensuring robust protections for water resources critical to sustaining fish and wildlife, and strengthening regional water planning efforts.
• Lead and participate in coalitions with conservation organizations, Pueblos, acequias, agricultural water users, and other stakeholders to advance federal and state water and natural resource policy objectives.
• Provide support to partners engaging in on-the-ground conservation projects including working to secure public and private funding to increase the pace and scale of fish and wildlife habitat restoration efforts.
• Conduct legal and policy research and prepare reports and presentations on natural resource issues for partners, federal and state decision-makers, and other stakeholders.
• Assist TRCP’s Director of Water Resources in cultivating and maintaining relationships with key federal and state decision makers and other important stakeholders, including through facilitation of meetings, project tours, media briefings, and other events.
• Contribute to fundraising for program work through relationship development with foundations, grant reporting and tracking, and grant proposal development.

Required Qualifications: 

• The equivalent combination of a Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience
• Experience working on Rio Grande and/or western water issues, particularly related to water scarcity, agricultural water management, fish and wildlife habitat restoration, or healthy rivers.
• Experience with policy and legal analysis and advocacy.
• Experience cultivating and sustaining relationships with varied interest groups including Tribes, elected officials, utility or industry organizations, sporting and conservation organizations, and/or governmental agencies.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects and ensuring program accountability.
• Comfort facilitating formal meetings with partners and other stakeholders.
• Comfort with public speaking and communicating on natural resource policy issues to diverse audiences and in formal settings.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Familiarity water management and stakeholders in New Mexico.
• Familiarity with federal land and water management agencies including, but not limited to the Bureau of Reclamation, United States Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, and associated planning and funding processes.
• Experience working with sporting and conservation non-profit groups and in coalitions on water or natural resource related issues.
• Experience working and/or leading federal and/or state policy advocacy campaigns.
• Advanced degree in public policy, law, water resources, or other related field.
• Familiarity with social, economic, and political conditions and issues in the Rio Grande watershed.
• Enthusiasm for the outdoors and conservation as well as hunting and fishing.