Land Protection Program Manager Colorado West Land Trust

Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT)

is the leading Land Trust in Western Colorado, serving a seven-county region from Grand Junction south to Ouray and Gunnison west into Grand County, Utah. CWLT has conserved over 150,000 acres through more than 600 conservation agreements over its 40-year history. CWLT is a private, charitable non-profit organization, accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and governed by an active Board of Directors.

CWLT has offices in Grand Junction and Montrose, Colorado.

To protect and enhance agricultural land, wildlife habitat and scenic lands in western Colorado to benefit the community at large, enrich lives, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, and ensure our connection to the land for generations to come.

CWLT’s professional staff are flexible, solutions-oriented, collaborative workers who have a passion to fulfill the organization’s mission.

Full time, regular, exempt

Conservation Director

In office position, Montrose CO

Monday-Friday with some evenings and weekends required for meetings and special events

Regional travel required; urban, rural, and backcountry

Current employer paid benefits package includes employer paid health insurance; short- and long-term disability; life insurance; employee assistance plan; 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.

The Land Protection Program Manager advances the mission of Colorado West Land Trust by identifying, developing, and completing land protection projects that meet the goals and initiatives established by the Conservation Director and Conservation Plan. S/he will work closely with landowners, service providers, and funders and must be able to build and maintain friendly relationships, and professional and courteous communications with a diverse variety of constituents and stakeholders.

The Land Protection Program Manger’s primary assignment is the Land Protection program, however s/he will also provide support in conservation easement monitoring and stewardship. This position requires technical knowledge and experience with conservation easements and land transactions; proficiency with ArcGIS, database applications, and Microsoft Office suite; the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines; and effective relationship building skills.

The Land Protection Program Manager is personable, detail oriented, and flexible with the ability to respond well to changing priorities.

As a key member of the Colorado West Land Trust team, the Land Protection Program Manager performs all duties collaboratively, contributing to a cooperative and supportive work environment. All actions and initiatives are undertaken in alignment with the overarching goals and priorities defined through organizational planning under the guidance of the Conservation Director, ensuring that progress is consistent with CWLT’s mission and strategic direction.

• Identify, recommend, and develop new land protection opportunities and initiatives as outlined in the Conservation Plan.
• Work with landowners to complete conservation agreements. Work with CWLT legal counsel to draft conservation easements and other due diligence to ensure they meet CWLT’s goals and Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices while meeting the needs of the individual landowners.
• Manage due diligence for easement and acquisition projects including oversight of landowner negotiation, title work, appraisals, environmental hazard assessments, baseline documentation, budget management, and required record keeping, from inception to completion.
• Take projects through the organizational pipeline including intake, timely follow up, tracking, prioritizing, and advancing projects to completion.
• Seek out, apply, implement, and report on land protection and transaction cost funding.
• In coordination with the Development team, plan outreach…