Central Colorado

Position Title: Central Colorado Abandoned Mine Land Project Manager 

Organization: Trout Unlimted

Location: Central Colorado 

Organization Overview: Trout Unlimted (TU) is a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. Dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists who work out of more than 45 offices across the country. In Colorado, TU has a full-time staff of over 20 people working across the state on a variety of issues, with a diversity of partners including landowners, Tribes, state and federal resource management agencies, private and public funders, and other NGO’s. TU started its Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Program in 2004 to address what the organization feels is one of the most important, yet least addressed issues facing headwater streams in the West. In many ways the state of Colorado has become the epicenter of our work, providing some of the highest profile mine reclamation projects we have tackled to date. Colorado has also been in the public eye when it comes to AML issues with over 23,000 abandoned mine sites, and the current push for Good Samaritan legislation to help facilitate point source cleanups. The combination of dramatic landscapes, ubiquitous legacy mining activity, and a populous state creates a setting that is well-suited to showcase our mine reclamation work.

Position Overview:TU is hiring a self-motivated and highly capable person to facilitate and execute abandoned mine land reclamation and stream restoration on projects in watersheds and forests across Colorado. This staff position will manage projects from start to finish, which consists of developing project concepts, obtaining project funding, managing project implementation, and completing grant/funder reports. Additionally, this project manager will assist CO TU AML staff with an existing suite of projects that are already underway.

TU has secured two years of funding for this position. The successful applicant will work with TU staff and USFS stakeholders to secure additional funding for project activities and to cover core operational costs to help sustain the program and this position in future years. This position will specifically work on existing USFS projects, while working closely with our existing Colorado AML staff (2 project managers and program manager) to develop new AML, AOP, riparian and stream restoration projects on USFS lands that help improve water quality and environmental health.

While this position is remote, projects could span all states included within Region 2 of the USFS. The office location for this position is flexible, but the successful candidate would be located between Gunnison and Leadville, CO to support ongoing projects across the State. Additionally, travel to occasional staff meetings and conferences outside the state will be necessary. It should be noted that a high frequency of in-state travel (>70%) is required during field season that can commonly last from May until October every year.

Duties: The primary job responsibility for this position will be the management and development of mine reclamation projects (including obtaining project funding and facilitating/overseeing project implementation) and coordination with local and regional USFS stakeholders to develop and execute those projects. The successful applicant will also be expected to collaborate with and support Colorado Trout Unlimited’s efforts and develop volunteer opportunities, as appropriate.

• Manage and coordinate abandoned mine land reclamation and construction projects of varying scope; construction oversight and verification of design specifications during implementation.
• Develop requests for proposals, evaluate proposals, and solicit contractor bids for projects with varying deliverables and budget.
• Coordinate and implement water and soil quality monitoring activities on TU-led projects, as well as agency projects; interpretation of water/soil chemistry results to support decision-making regarding project success and future reclamation needs.
• Manage engineering and/or outside consultants to complete necessary designs that meet project deliverables and can be implemented in the field.
• Generate project funds through grant writing and provide regular updates to granting agencies through reports and invoicing.
  Scientific writing of watershed-based plans, post-project reports, and concept papers.
• Outreach and travel to TU functions and chapter meetings across the state.
• Development of Engineering Evaluations and Cost Analyses (EE/CA), Preliminary Assessments and Site Investigations (PA/SI), Supplemental Project Agreements (SPAs), and Financial Plans specific to USFS processes and protocols.
• Proficiency with USFS permitting and policies to facilitate project development.
• Work closely with other TU staff and stakeholders to develop and implement reclamation projects.
• Work with local/regional partners and TU staff to fundraise for both program and project support, including identifying potential funding sources, drafting grant proposals, and developing relationships with funders.
• Perform administrative duties including contracting, grant reporting, invoicing, and budget management.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree a plus.
• Minimum 1-5 years of relevant professional experience
• Preferred degree of study: natural resource management, biological or environmental sciences, or an applicable engineering discipline.
• Experience with construction oversight, reclamation, & project management.
• Understanding of CERCLA and NEPA policy and permitting.
• Demonstrated performance in grant writing and other fundraising activities.
• Experience with fisheries, water quality, or fluvial geomorphology a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, as well as ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience with study design and field methods of environmental investigations and implementation practices for meeting restoration and reclamation objectives.
• Ability to work independently and in partnership with other TU staff, landowners, and partners to complete complex projects.
• Willingness to travel within the region as necessary; Valid driver’s license and required to own a reliable vehicle.
• Applicant should be able to lift >50 pounds and be proficient in a backcountry hiking situation.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs required, and GIS and CAD software experience strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail and ability to work remotely without close oversight.
• High energy and a passion for protecting and restoring trout fisheries and their watersheds.

Salary:$50,000 to $55,000 annually.

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

How to Apply: Visit the application to view full job description and link to apply. 

• provide a resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Trout Unlimited