Natural Resources Specialist

Job Title: Natural Resources Specialist

Department: Water & Natural Resources

Reports To: Water & Natural Resources Director

Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Compensation Range: $65,000 to $75,000

Lake County is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Natural Resource Specialist to support the stewardship and sustainable management of county-owned natural resources, including open space, forested lands, and water resources. This position will work under the supervision of the Water & Natural Resources Director and play a key role in planning, coordinating, and implementing resource management initiatives that align with the county’s social, economic, and environmental goals.

About the Landscape:
Approximately 75% of Lake County is public land managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The specialist will coordinate closely with public land agencies to support and complement their programs, ensuring county-led efforts are aligned and cooperative across jurisdictional boundaries.

The role also includes aid in developing and implementing a county-wide sustainability program focused on reducing the environmental footprint of county operations and the broader community through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and other sustainability initiatives.

• Develop and implement natural resource management plans for county-owned open space, forested lands, and water resources.
• Lead the design and implementation of a county-wide sustainability program to reduce the environmental impact of Lake County’s internal operations.
• Assist the Water & Natural Resources Director with administrative, operational, and strategic tasks as needed.
• Collaborate with public land agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and others to support and coordinate overlapping initiatives, resource planning, and shared stewardship.
• Coordinate with other County departments including Public Works, Community Planning & Development, Parks and Recreation, and Tourism & Economic Development.
• Serve as a key liaison with local and regional organizations including the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative, Cloud City Wheelers, Central Colorado Conservancy, Lake County Conservation District, and others.
• Manage natural resource and sustainability projects, from planning and public engagement to execution, reporting, and evaluation.
• Conduct fieldwork, data collection, and site assessments to inform project design and monitor outcomes.
• Research and pursue grants, write proposals, and manage grant implementation and reporting.
• Assist with budget planning and tracking for natural resource and sustainability efforts.
• Promote public engagement and environmental education through outreach materials, workshops, and collaboration with local stakeholders.
• Field work managing water resource infrastructure and natural resource assets including hiking, clearing ditches and other structures, resource surveying and inventory management, trash pickup, and visitor management.
• Facilitate and support the Lake County Open Space Initiative (LCOSI) and any Regional Partnership Initiatives related to the work area.
• Assist with Friends of Lake County stewardship volunteer program.
• Support wildfire mitigation, habitat restoration, and sustainable land use practices on Lake County properties.
• Coordinate land acquisition and conservation and public access easement projects in collaboration with land trusts, state/federal agencies, and private landowners.

Not applicable.

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Ecology, or a related field.
• 2–3 years of professional experience in natural resource management, sustainability, or related environmental work.
• Strong skills in project management, inter‑agency coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in both field and office environments, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Proficiency with GIS, data collection tools, and office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Valid…