careers at colorado open lands

Colorado Open Lands is seeking candidates for the following position:

six-Month Seasonal Land Steward

Job Description

Colorado Open Lands is pleased to announce an opening for a 6-month Seasonal Land Steward based in our Lakewood, Colorado office. This position is a temporary, full-time paid position that supports the Land Stewardship Program. Colorado Open Lands holds almost 700 conservation easements across the entire state and is responsible for stewarding each one annually. As a member of this team, you will get to visit a wide variety of Colorado landscapes and habitats, learn from and observe land management in action, and participate in the continued preservation of Colorado’s land and water resources. The Land Steward’s primary responsibilities will be conservation easement monitoring, including both on-the-ground site visits and reviewing satellite imagery, as well as providing land management resources to landowners.

DUTIES

Conservation Easement Monitoring

Site Visits

• Contact landowners to schedule on-the-ground site visits for properties assigned to you.
• Monitor approximately 70 conservation easement properties across Colorado, which range in size from 10 to 10,000 acres. Monitoring includes hiking or driving around a conserved property using GPS to navigate and collect data while documenting any changes to the property.
• Meet with landowners to build relationships and discuss the conservation easement.
• Prepare detailed reports documenting observations from the field.
• Update GIS maps as needed to incorporate GPS field data.

Satellite Imagery

• Monitor approximately 175 conservation easements using satellite imagery. Monitoring includes using COL’s online platform to review changes over time to each property.
• Prepare detailed reports documenting observations from the satellite imagery.

Conservation Easement Management

• Provide landowners with land management information or resources as requested.
• Perform other stewardship tasks as assigned.

Organizational Participation

• Participate in staff and project meetings and other organization-wide meetings and events.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in natural or environmental sciences, land use planning, geography or a related field, OR 2 years relevant experience.
• Willingness and ability to independently travel across Colorado, including multi-night trips – vehicle provided and all travel expenses paid (travel comprises approximately 35% of time).
• Ability to work outdoors and navigate large farms and ranches independently, often in remote settings.
• Basic skills with ESRI ArcGIS computer mapping software.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• A valid driver’s license and good driving record (vehicle provided).
• A positive attitude, sense of humor, and commitment to conservation.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $17-18/hour commensurate with experience, 40 hours per week for 6 months (24 weeks).
• Eligible for vacation and sick time. Not eligible for health insurances, but employer will pay all required federal and state taxes and worker’s comp insurance.

START DATE

• Start date is flexible, ideally between May 1 and June 1, 2023.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• Please send a résumé and cover letter to Chelsea Collins, Stewardship Program Manager, at jobs@coloradoopenlands.org. Please note where you saw the job posting.
• The subject line should be in this format: “Last name, First name: Seasonal Land Steward”
• Applications must be received no later than midnight (MT) on March 26, 2023.

EEO Statement

Colorado Open Lands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. For information about Colorado Open Lands, please visit our website at www.coloradoopenlands.org