cwlt

WATER PROGRAM MANAGER

Grand Junction, Colorado · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$60k-$78kDetected 10 days ago

ExcelScientific WritingGISCommunicationCollaborationProblem SolvingPublic SpeakingMicrosoft Office

About the role

The Water Program Manager will play a key role in the Land Trust's Risk to Resilience Initiative, a water-focused buy-innovate-protect-sell effort.
They will oversee agricultural leases on farms acquired by CWLT and work with lessees to advance CWLT water program objectives.

Develop and manage land & water transactions, including fee title acquisitions and conservation easements.
Manage farm leases for owned by CWLT.
Identify and implement water protection strategies for conservation easements and land owned by CWLT; stay informed of new strategies and innovations and make recommendations to the Conservation Team.
Work with agricultural producers and partners to implement water-conserving farming practices.
Identify restoration projects on CWLT owned and collaborate with CWLT Restoration staff for implementation.
As water challenges continue to grow across the West, your work can help create lasting solutions for the landscapes and communities that depend on it.
Colorado West Land Trust is seeking a Water Program Manager to lead innovative projects that protect water resources while supporting resilient agriculture and healthy landscapes.
If you are passionate about conservation and building partnerships that create lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
The Water Program Manager identifies, develops, and implements projects that advance the Land Trust's Water Plan.

Ability to traverse outdoor terrain such as gravel, packed dirt, and uneven ground, and navigate around obstacles.
This position requires knowledge of Western water rights and their management, and an understanding of real estate transactions
Schedule Monday-Friday with some evenings and weekends required for meetings and special events
Travel Regional travel required; urban, rural, and backcountry

A bachelor's degree (or comparable experience) in natural resources conservation, science, agriculture, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 years' experience in water resources management, agricultural conservation, land conservation, natural resource management, or related field.
Experience working with agricultural producers and managing agricultural lands, leases, water rights, or conservation projects.
Experience related to real estate transactions or conservation easements, strongly preferred.
Experience with budget management, grant writing, and grant administration.

Knowledge of Western water law, water policy, water rights administration, and water resource management.
Ability to work effectively with farmers and ranchers.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, negotiate solutions, and find common ground with diverse constituencies.
Willingness and ability to speak in public; experience in public speaking preferred.
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Power Point, Word, Publisher).
Experience with database applications or demonstrated proficiency in learning to use software.
Experience with ArcGIS or similar mapping applications.
Personal qualities of integrity, reliability, and commitment to the mission.

Full Salary Range $60,000 - $78,000 annually
Anticipated Hiring Range $60,000 - $70,000 annually
CWLT has conserved 150,000 acres through more than 400 conservation agreements over its 40-year history.

Current employer paid benefits package includes employer paid health insurance
short-term and long-term disability
life insurance
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.
CWLT's professional staff are flexible, solutions-oriented, collaborative workers who have a passion to fulfill the organization's mission.
As a key member of the Colorado West Land Trust team, the Water Program Manager contributes to a cooperative and supportive work environment.
Partner with agricultural producers to implement on-farm efficiency projects (e.g., piping ditches, automated gates) and soil health projects.

Work is in alignment with the overarching goals and priorities defined through organizational planning, ensuring that progress is consistent with CWLT's mission and strategic direction.

This listing is sourced directly from cwlt's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.