careers at colorado open lands

Position Summary:
Colorado’s San Luis Valley is undergoing one of the largest agricultural transitions in the West as groundwater conservation efforts retire irrigated farmland. Colorado Open Lands (COL) is partnering with landowners, agricultural producers, and conservation organizations to restore these landscapes through collaborative revegetation, habitat restoration, and adaptive management. This position offers an opportunity to help shape a growing restoration program that supports wildlife, groundwater conservation, resilient working lands, and thriving rural communities.

COL seeks a Dryland Restoration Program Manager to join our Stewardship and Restoration team. The Manager will help implement and expand COL’s dryland restoration program by coordinating restoration projects from planning through implementation and monitoring. This role will build partnerships with landowners and conservation organizations, manage grants and project budgets, coordinate contractors and technical partners, and support successful restoration outcomes across the San Luis Valley and Colorado.

Colorado Open Lands (COL) is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust and conservation organization dedicated to conserving Colorado’s open lands and natural heritage through innovative conservation strategies, collaborative partnerships, and strategic leadership. Since 1981, COL has helped protect more than 700,000 acres of native prairies, forests, wetlands, rangelands, and working lands across the state. Our team is driven by a shared passion for conservation, strong communication, trust, collaboration, and the belief that people are more than their work.

Responsibilities:

• Build trusted relationships with landowners, agricultural producers, funders, government agencies, scientists, contractors, and conservation partners to advance dryland restoration efforts.
• Coordinate dryland restoration projects from planning through implementation, monitoring, and adaptive management, including developing scopes of work, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Support the design and implementation of restoration activities, including seeding, weed management, water management, habitat improvement, soil health practices, and long-term stewardship strategies.
• Lead robust fundraising efforts to achieve program goals by identifying new funding streams, writing competitive grant proposals, and cultivating strong relationships with funders to collaboratively establish project agreements, budgets, and deliverables.
• Manage grants, contracts, budgets, reporting requirements, and project deliverables to ensure successful completion of funded projects.
• Coordinate and oversee contractors, consultants, and technical specialists supporting restoration implementation and monitoring.
• Represent COL in the San Luis Valley and across Colorado as a point of contact for dryland restoration opportunities, partnerships, and community engagement.
• Participate in organizational communications, fundraising, outreach, and team activities that support COL’s mission and positive workplace culture.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in restoration ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, agriculture, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• At least three years of experience leading ecological restoration or natural resource management projects, including project planning, budgeting, grant management, contractor oversight, monitoring, and successful project delivery.
• Experience working collaboratively with agricultural producers, landowners, government agencies, scientists, contractors, and other conservation partners, preferably in Colorado or the western United States.
• Robust knowledge of western US plant communities, including plant identification and monitoring techniques, alongside a firm understanding of soil health principles and dryland restoration strategies.
• Proven success writing, managing, and reporting on grants from public and private funding sources.
• Strong organizational, project management, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability and willingness to perform fieldwork in varied conditions.
• Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.
• A passion for ecological restoration, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to building strong relationships with landowners and communities.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in restoration ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, agriculture, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Western water rights, including groundwater management, irrigation systems, and water decrees.
• Experience with geospatial software, such as ArcGIS.
• Experience working with a land trust or other conservation-focused nonprofit or natural resource organization.

 Location and Travel Requirements:

• This position is based in Colorado Open Lands’ Alamosa office and requires regular travel throughout the San Luis Valley, with occasional statewide overnight travel.
• A valid driver’s license is required; access to a fleet vehicle is provided for work-related travel.
• Fieldwork in varied weather and terrain is required.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Compensation: $73,000 – 78,000, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits Package: Colorado Open Lands offers a competitive benefits package, including 401k plan with company match, health insurance (medical, dental, vision, and HSA), life and disability insurance, paid time off (sick leave, vacation, and holidays) and a collaborative, flexible work environment.
• Status: Full-time (exempt).
• Reports to: Senior Director of Stewardship and Strategic Initiatives, Cheryl Cufre

Application Instructions:

• Please send a résumé, cover letter, and three references to Cheryl Cufre, Senior Director of Stewardship and Strategic Initiatives at [email protected] with “Dryland Restoration Program Manager” in the subject line.
• Position is open until filled.

EEO Statement:

Colorado Open Lands provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or other protected status. For information about Colorado Open Lands, please visit our website at www.coloradoopenlands.org.