Public Lands Manager

Clear Creek County, Colorado•Georgetown, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Community Development Director, the Public Lands Manager provides strategic leadership, management, and policy direction for Clear Creek County's Public Lands Department, guiding the County's long-term vision for conservation, recreation, and stewardship of the County's public lands. This role involves developing and implementing comprehensive plans, policies, projects, and programs that align with the County's strategic goals, balancing natural and cultural resource protection, public access, and community benefit. The manager ensures alignment between trail systems, trailhead and facility infrastructure, natural and cultural resource management, and recreational programs to deliver a cohesive, high-quality public lands system. They will direct administrative and supervisory work to conserve, maintain, and enhance the resources and assets of Clear Creek County Open Space and other public lands, and oversee the implementation of department plans, projects, budgets, and operations. The Public Lands Manager directly supervises assigned staff and provides functional and operational oversight of assigned programs, including Trails and Recreation, Open Space, Special Projects, and Water Resources.

Requirements

BS/BA in Natural Resource Management, Land Management, Environmental Science, Parks and Recreation, Forestry, Public Administration, Planning, or a related profession, and experience within the sphere of responsibility, or an equivalent combination of education and experience equal to both required education and experience.
Minimum of five (5) years of related experience, with at least two (2) years of supervisory or leadership experience, preferably with some local government experience.
Demonstrated Natural Resource Management and/or Trails/Recreation Management experience.
Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders and public engagement experience.
Grant writing and administration experience.
Project management experience: Development of RFPs, consultant selections, managing contractors, maintaining project scopes and timelines, ensuring high-quality deliverables.
Demonstrated knowledge of how to prepare a budget and the skill to create a Division budget.
Experience working with or serving on Boards or Commissions.
Experience working with federal/state land-management agencies.
Knowledge of public lands management, conservation practices, recreation planning, and environmental stewardship.
Understanding of local government operations, public administration principles, and policy development.
Strong interpersonal, decision-making, and management skills, including the ability to effectively present to elected officials, stakeholders, and the public and the ability to build consensus and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, including the ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
Ability to professionally represent the Department, County Manager, and the BoCC when interacting with staff, the public, and the news media.
Ability to evaluate community dynamics, including intergovernmental relations, civic organizations, and special interest groups.
Ability to communicate and listen effectively, using appropriate communication tools and techniques.
Skilled in organization and time management.
Knowledge of professional managerial techniques, theories, principles, and practices in local government operations and public administration.
Ability to accurately and effectively transmit and receive information that is necessary to the accomplishment of goals and objectives, including effective written and oral communication.
Ability to keep customers, subordinates, peers, and supervisors informed.
Knowledge of Colorado public lands regulations.
Knowledge of Wildfire mitigation/forest health.
Knowledge of basic real estate terms.
Intermediate GIS skills.
Ability to perform fieldwork and site inspections.
Must have a valid Colorado Motor Vehicle Driver's License.
Must pass a background check: Criminal and Traffic Conviction of a crime will not be an absolute bar to employment.
Required legal authorization to work - United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Prepare and submit the Department's annual budget in coordination with the Division Director.
Establish priorities and develop, implement, and coordinate strategic and operational work plans and policies related to public lands, in coordination with the Division Director.
Develop and recommend policies, ordinances, and strategic initiatives to the County Manager and Board of County Commissioners related to public land conservation, recreation, and resource management.
Evaluate emerging recreational and natural resource management trends, environmental considerations, and community needs to guide long-term decision-making related to public lands.
Oversee development and implementation of system-wide standards, including trail design guidelines, trailhead and facility standards, and maintenance service levels.
Identify, pursue, administer, and report on grants and other external funding opportunities supporting public lands, conservation, recreation, trails, natural resources, and related projects.
Coordinate and represent the department's work with other internal divisions, the Open Space Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC).
Serve as Staff Liaison to the Open Space Commission and support the Open Space Coordinator.
Build and maintain relationships with external public land management stakeholders, including municipal, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit partners, and community groups.
Facilitate public engagement and stakeholder communication on public lands policies, projects, recreational uses, closures, and resource-management decisions; respond professionally to competing interests and community concerns.
Develop and provide presentations and recommendations to elected officials and community members on public lands initiatives, programs, and projects.
Maintain a competent workforce by selecting personnel, setting performance standards, providing training, conducting evaluations, coaching, mentoring, and taking disciplinary action as needed.
Determine resources necessary to implement strategic and operational priorities efficiently.
Manage projects and oversee staff, vendors, contractors, and service providers.
Develop standard operating procedures, routine schedules, and annual priority projects with staff.
Oversee all functions of County trails, trailheads, recreational facilities, and associated infrastructure, including trail construction, maintenance, inspections, closures, signage, safety, accessibility, recreation conflicts, and multi-use trail management.
Supervise the design, management, and implementation of recreation permit programs.
Ensure effective project management, including coordination with staff, consultants, contractors, and partner agencies.
Adhere to all county policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing the management of assigned areas.
Identify and mitigate public safety and operational risks associated with County public lands, trails, facilities, events, and recreational activities.
Work with the Open Space Commission and Open Space Coordinator on Open Space acquisitions.
Coordinate inspections, closures, warnings, incident reporting, and corrective actions with Risk Management, the Sheriff's Office, Fire/EMS, and other partners as needed.
Perform field work and site evaluations.
Perform other duties as assigned.