GIS Manager

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

2d • $65,000 - $75,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The GIS Manager leads CCALT’s Geographic Information Systems program and provides geospatial technology support to the Conservation, External Relations, and Operations Departments. The role combines hands-on mapping and GIS data management with program administration, staff training, and improvements to organizational systems. The GIS Manager manages the GIS database and mapping systems, develops tools and workflows, and supports conservation easement transactions, stewardship, monitoring, fundraising, communications, and other organizational needs.

The position administers CCALT’s ArcGIS Online environment, leads migration and organization of GIS data, establishes data-management policies and documentation, and helps staff use mapping tools effectively. The GIS Manager also coordinates with IT providers and vendors, supports updates to spatial reference systems, assists with the organization’s AI implementation initiative, and maintains relationships with agency GIS staff and conservation partners.

The position is based in Lakewood, Colorado, with a hybrid work schedule and regular travel throughout Colorado, including overnight and multi-day trips. It is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director of Operations. The anticipated start date is January 11, 2027. Annual salary is $65,000–$75,000, based on demonstrated experience and relevant skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and/or GIS certification with 3–5 years of demonstrated professional GIS experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
• Experience creating, maintaining, interpreting, and managing geospatial data, including GIS databases with multiple data file types.
• Experience producing accurate, professional, and standardized maps and layouts.
• Strong project management, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate effectively.
• Ability to travel occasionally, including overnight and multi-day trips, and possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Must reside in Colorado or be willing to relocate.
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly and assist colleagues with varying levels of GIS experience.
• Ability to adjust to shifting priorities, stay focused during busy periods, and pitch in as needed.
• Respect for Colorado agriculture, rural communities, and the landowners CCALT serves.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with legal descriptions and the Public Land Survey System (PLSS).
• Knowledge of and respect for rural Colorado, agricultural communities, and private land conservation.
• Previous conservation experience; conservation easement experience is not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain CCALT’s GIS database, ensuring geospatial data is accurate, consistent, secure, accessible, and organized.
• Create and maintain property boundary data for conservation easements and active projects.
• Map and verify property boundaries and calculate project acreages using legal descriptions, PLSS information, and BLM GLO records.
• Produce accurate, professional, standardized maps for conservation easement transactions, stewardship, fundraising, communications, and other organizational needs.
• Develop and maintain map templates, layouts, and cartographic standards.
• Establish and maintain GIS policies and procedures for data management, documentation, and recordkeeping.
• Administer the ArcGIS Online environment, including licensing, user access, portal groups, hosted feature layers, web maps, and data-sharing settings.
• Lead migration of existing GIS data into ArcGIS Online, including organizing data, establishing standardized hosted feature layers, training staff, and documenting and archiving legacy data.
• Develop and implement GIS tools and workflows that improve efficiency, data accessibility, and decision-making across departments.
• Support updates to national spatial reference systems, including CCALT’s transition from NAD 83 to NATRF2022.
• Monitor Esri products and other mapping technologies and identify opportunities to strengthen GIS capabilities.
• Coordinate day-to-day technology administration and support with IT providers and vendors, including system access and software updates.
• Assist with coordinating and developing CCALT’s AI implementation initiative.
• Provide GIS support to the Conservation, External Relations, and Operations Departments.
• Support conservation easement monitoring by maintaining GIS data, supporting Survey123 workflows, and preparing monitoring maps in coordination with stewardship and monitoring staff.
• Provide technical assistance and training to staff using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Survey123, Field Maps, Experience Builder, and other mapping tools.
• Share GIS data with conservation partners and contractors and manage related data-sharing agreements.
• Maintain relationships with state and federal agency GIS staff to stay informed about updates to statewide datasets.
• Work across departments to identify GIS needs, solve technical challenges, and improve the organization’s use of geospatial information.
• Manage GIS projects independently, balance competing priorities, meet deadlines, and follow projects through to completion.
• Travel occasionally throughout Colorado, including overnight and multi-day trips, for property visits, conservation monitoring, landowner meetings, and other activities.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedule with a hybrid work environment.
• Medical and accident insurance, with CCALT paying 100% of the employee-only premium.
• Dental insurance, with CCALT paying 40% of the employee premium.
• Vision insurance available, with the employee paying 100% of the premium.
• 403(b) retirement plan eligibility upon hire, with employer matching currently up to 4% after one year of service.
• Three weeks (15 days) of paid vacation during the first year, increasing with tenure to a maximum of five weeks (25 days).
• Up to ten paid sick days annually.
• Sixteen paid holidays annually, including week-long office closures around the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager