TITLE: Watershed Coordinator - Mancos Conservation District

STATUS: Non-exempt (hourly); Full-time (40 hours/week)

SALARY & BENEFITS: Starting rate is $25.48 - $33.65/hour ($53,000-$70,000 annually) DOE. Benefits include health insurance reimbursement and paid time off.

LOCATION: Mancos, CO (in-person)

START DATE: Preferred start is January or February, 2026

CLOSING DATE: will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Interested individuals who apply by January 11, 2026, will receive full consideration.

HOW TO APPLY: The Mancos Conservation District is only accepting applications through Indeed. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and references. 

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

The Mancos Conservation District (MCD), a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, provides natural resources technical assistance to private landowners in the Mancos Watershed and surrounding areas. Our mission is to promote the long-term sustainable use and protection of natural resources in the Mancos River Watershed through educational, technical, and financial assistance for residents and landowners. MCD programming and staff are overseen by a volunteer Board of Supervisors. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Watershed Coordinator will lead the development and implementation of MCD’s multi-benefit watershed and soil health project work. This position will identify, fund, and coordinate projects that integrate irrigation water management, infrastructure improvements, drought resiliency, habitat improvement, soil conservation, and other land management practices. The Watershed Coordinator will serve as the lead point of contact with partnering organizations, technical advisors, contractors and other local stakeholders. This position will coordinate communications, develop project proposals, provide technical review, and advance monitoring activities. The Watershed Coordinator will also seek funding for and coordinate soil health activities for the MCD and local producers. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Project Planning

• Participate and lead collaborative watershed planning, prioritization, funding, and monitoring efforts with stakeholders, including local, state, and federal government agencies, water utilities, ditch companies, landowners, nonprofits, universities, wildlife and recreation groups, and others
• Apply for funding to advance watershed and landowner projects and monitoring activities based on local plans, technical assessments, and community priorities
• Develop monitoring strategies to assess project outcomes and effectiveness
• Complete or support project permitting
• Develop project budgets and create scopes of work for funding applications and contracts
• Conduct outreach to and communicate with agricultural producers and landowners related to technical and financial assistance opportunities

Project Implementation

• Provide project leadership for multi-benefit projects including metering/measurement activities, diversion improvements, water quality monitoring, irrigation audits and upgrades, flow enhancement, riparian restoration, hazard mitigation, and soil conservation
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with landowners, ditch companies, engineers, NEPA contractors, and construction contractors
• Develop and administer contracts with engineering firms and contractors
• Provide technical assistance (e.g. site visits, conservation planning, soil testing/interpretation) for landowners
• Conduct post-implementation and long-term monitoring to assess project outcomes and effectiveness
• Create reports for the public and funding agencies

Education, Outreach, and Engagement

• Develop workshops and events that enhance community understanding and action related to watershed management, restoration, and risk mitigation.
• Conduct outreach to landowners, ditch companies, and others to communicate technical and financial assistance opportunities
• Maintain and build partnerships that increase community dialogue and education across age groups and entities
• Oversee and manage educational programming with the Mancos Public Library and Mancos School District

Other duties

• Supervise one AmeriCorps intern, providing support, education, and guidance.
• Other duties as assigned

NECESSARY SKILLS

Soft Skills 

• Possess a genuine interest in the conservation of natural resources
• Work collaboratively with people and be a team player
• Highly organized and efficiently manage time, tasks, projects, computer files, etc.
• Self-motivated, self-directed, innovative, and enthusiastic
• Flexible to perform a variety of duties and adaptable to changing situations
• Excellent communication, both verbal and written
• Maintain a positive attitude and enjoy working with people
• Ability to respect and tolerate different personalities and build relationships with different individuals
• Committed to a high level of work quality and professionalism

Hard Skills 

• Strong project management and communication skills
• Possess a working knowledge of general ecological principles and resource management techniques for watershed management, restoration, and soil health
• Ability to read and interpret scientific and technical information related to natural resources and the environment
• Technical writing – write effectively and efficiently on topics pertaining to natural resources including grant applications
• Ability to develop and deliver visual presentations for a variety of groups
• Efficient in basic computer use, and able to learn new technology and software

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in watershed science, natural resources, environmental science, biology, soil science, ecological restoration, or a related field
• Two or more years of work experience in natural resources, preferably watershed management or restoration
• Demonstrated experience working in a team environment, collaborating with other staff and partners
• Experience in natural resource program development
• Experience working with agricultural producers and landowners on soil health, rangeland, and/or watershed enhancement projects
• Previous successful grant writing experience
• Proficient in the following computer software applications: ArcGIS Pro, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience and ability to work safely outdoors doing the duties described above, independently or with a team, during all seasons and weather conditions across uneven/steep terrain, using a map, compass, or GIS, carrying up to 30 pounds
• Hold or able to obtain a valid Colorado driver’s license and a clean driving record
• Experience driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle in the mountains
• Able to work weekend or evening hours (after 6pm) 3-5 times per year 
• Able to pass a criminal background check