Eastern Colorado Additive Conservation Manager

Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust- • Lakewood, CO

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is seeking an Eastern Colorado Additive Conservation Manager to support our Additive Conservation and Stewardship Programs. This strategic position will enhance CCALT’s capacity to deliver innovative conservation solutions to agricultural producers in Eastern Colorado.

The Additive Conservation program aims to deliver additional conservation outcomes through restoration and enhancement projects and by expanding ecosystem service market opportunities for landowners. This position will increase and accelerate technical and financial assistance partnerships to support agricultural producers through public conservation funding opportunities. The successful candidate will work closely with CCALT’s extensive landowner network, providing technical assistance to farmers and ranchers interested in implementing conservation practices.

Among other priorities, this position will focus on enrolling landowners in government agency cost-share or financial assistance programs, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). A key responsibility will be cultivating relationships with NRCS staff to effectively deploy these programs. The position will also support the implementation and administration of a secure Department of Defense/War Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program grant for northeastern Colorado.

The Eastern Colorado Additive Conservation Manager will support CCALT’s Stewardship Program by maintaining landowner relationships and conducting annual conservation easement monitoring visits.

Requirements

• Relevant degree in natural resources, conservation, agriculture, environmental science, or a closely related field (preferred).
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with landowners, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency with field-based mapping technology, including creating and editing maps using ArcGIS Pro.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects effectively and meeting deadlines.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local conservation policies, including agricultural resiliency programs, conservation easements, and ecosystem service markets.
• Experience in grant writing, reporting, and compliance with funding requirements.
• Colorado residency or willingness to relocate to Colorado at personal expense.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in rural and remote areas, including hiking and working in variable weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently throughout Eastern Colorado, including overnight and multi-day trips.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong capacity to analyze complex issues, develop effective solutions, and address multidimensional challenges.
• Attention to Detail: High accuracy in managing projects and documentation.
• Creativity and Innovation: Capacity to think creatively and challenge traditional approaches.
• Cultural Awareness: Understanding and appreciation of the culture of Eastern Colorado and CCALT’s organizational values, including its Social Contract.
• Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively as a team player and willingness to contribute beyond formal job duties.
• Independence: Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative while maintaining confidentiality.
• Passion for Conservation: Knowledge, appreciation, and respect for rural Colorado, agricultural issues, and a sincere commitment to private land conservation. Passion for CCALT's mission and ability to convey it effectively to stakeholders

Nice To Haves

• Relevant degree in natural resources, conservation, agriculture, environmental science, or a closely related field

Responsibilities

• Implement CCALT’s Eastern Colorado-specific additive conservation initiatives, focusing on grassland health, grazing efficiency, and soil health.
• Enroll working landowners in government agency cost-share or financial assistance programs, such as the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
• Support the implementation and administration of a Department of Defense/War Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program grant for northeastern Colorado.
• Accelerate the growth and deployment of CCALT’s Agricultural Resiliency Fund in Eastern Colorado.
• Develop partnerships and tools that enhance conservation and stewardship of working lands in the region.
• Conduct annual conservation easement monitoring visits and facilitate conservation easement stewardship in the unique landscapes of Eastern Colorado
• Develop and implement additive conservation projects that enhance conservation values while maintaining and enhancing the productivity of working lands in Eastern Colorado.
• Build new partnerships and resources to support stewardship and restoration of working lands.
• Write and administer grants to support the Additive Conservation program and specific projects, including federal Farm Bill programs and a secured grant through the Department of Defense’s/War's Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program.
• Oversee project development, including grant writing, mapping, contractor management, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Senior Additive Conservation Manager to expand technical and financial assistance for conserved properties.
• Support the development of policies and procedures for the Additive Conservation program.
• Assist with workshops and events to engage landowners and share educational resources.
• Prepare materials for board approvals related to project activities.
• Maintain compliance with conservation easement stewardship, grant funding, and regulatory requirements.
• Support CCALT’s annual conservation easement monitoring program through annual visits to protected properties and timely reporting.
• Maintain regular contact with landowners to foster strong relationships and address stewardship needs.
• Coordinate with the stewardship program to mitigate conservation easement stewardship risks and resolve conservation easement violations as needed.
• Manage funding related to conservation easement damages, ensuring it is used effectively to address specific resource concerns.
• Support the development of policies for consistent handling of stewardship issues.
• Represent CCALT at conferences, training opportunities, staff meetings, and board meetings.

Benefits

• Eligible to participate in CCALT’s annual incentive pay plan, where the amount of incentive pay varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program
• Medical and accident insurance, 100% of employee-only premium paid by CCALT
• Dental insurance, 40% of employee premiums paid by CCALT
• Vision insurance, 100% of the premium paid by the employee
• Eligible for participation in the company 403(b) retirement plan upon the date of hire
• Eligible for applicable employer match after one (1) year of service. The employer match rate is currently set at up to 4% of compensation for eligible employees.
• Three weeks (15 days) of paid vacation earned during the first year of employment, accrued monthly. Paid Vacation increases after the first year of employment, up to a maximum of five weeks (25 days), accrued monthly.
• Up to ten (10) days of paid sick leave per year, accrued monthly.
• Sixteen (16) paid holidays are provided each calendar year. Included is a weeklong office closure associated with the 4th of July and Thanksgiving holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree