Natural Resources Specialist Lake

Why join our team?

Join a workplace where public service meets opportunity. At Lake County Government, employees are empowered to grow, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact every day. We offer a supportive environment that values innovation and connection, with reliable compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to helping you succeed both professionally and personally.

• Assume Good Intent:
  Approach each interaction with positive mindset and openness to understand others.
• Model Professional:
  Maintain high standards in behavior and communication that reflects our values.
• Apply County Wide Lens:
  Consider the broader impact of decisions on our community and organization as a whole.
• Be Solutions-Oriented:
  Focus on finding constructive solutions rather than dwelling on problems or challenges.
• Practice Servant Leadership:
  Prioritize the needs of others, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Support Meaningful Work-Life Balance:
  Encourage boundaries that support personal well‑being while achieving professional responsibilities.

Lake County is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Natural Resource Specialist to support stewardship and sustainable management of county‑owned natural resources, including open space, forested lands, and water resources. This position will work directly 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.

Approximately 75% of Lake County is public land, managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. In recognition of this, the Natural Resource Specialist will also coordinate closely with public land agencies to support and complement their existing programs and projects, ensuring county‑led efforts are aligned and cooperative across jurisdictional boundaries.

In addition to land and water stewardship, this position will aid in the development and implementation of a county‑wide sustainability program, with a focus on reducing the environmental footprint of county operations and the broader community through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and other sustainability initiatives.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 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…