Grand Junction, Colorado

Position Title: Western Slope Regional Partnership Coordinator

Organization: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Location: Grand Junction, Colorado

Organization Overview: CPW is charged with balancing the conservation of Colorado wildlife and habitat with the recreational needs of the state. The agency mission is critical and relevant to all Coloradans, and needs the support of all Coloradans in fulfilling this critical work.

Position Overview: The Western Slope Regional Partnership Coordinator advances the Regional Partnerships Initiative on Colorado’s western slope. This entails outreach and engagement of outdoor and natural resource interests to raise awareness about the RPI, support existing Regional Partnerships and new coalition development, and advance regional planning.

To support successful coalitions on the western slope, this position will engage and coordinate with a broad range of outdoor interests that include local, state, and federal government entities, agricultural producers, tourism and conservation organizations and other stakeholders to foster regional collaboration. This is a new position for this region and they will be responsible for building and maintaining partners in rural communities and for working with these partners to identify how the RPI can be relevant and most beneficial in serving community needs related to the conservation of natural resources and connecting people to outdoor experiences.

This position will collaborate closely with CPW’s Regional Partnership Program Manager to steward grant funding that advances the RPI. They will also collaborate with wildlife managers, biologists, parks and other CPW staff to coordinate division work with regional planning, management and funding. They will support program evaluation to monitor progress advancing statewide objectives and criteria.

This position must be nimble and able to manage multiple projects, programs and deadlines. They must show strength in building and maintaining strong and trusting relationships while fostering collaboration among broad interests. They must contain experience in natural resources management. Experience in agricultural production and natural resources science is a plus.

Duties: This person will support a network of leaders and liaisons for Regional Partnerships across Colorado’s western slope. Conducting outreach to build awareness and support for the program and coordinate with CPW staff to support regional network(s).

Build and support coalition leaders and develop collaborative relationships with government and non government entities, including elected officials, federal, state, and local land managers, and organizational leaders. This work includes organizing and facilitating meetings, communications, agenda setting, and solving logistical challenges for rural communities where people and organizations are spread across large geographic areas.

The position supports grant management activities, maintains a database of contacts and is responsible for meeting summaries, reporting, presentations and other network communications.
Supports Regional Partnerships in meeting criteria for developing Regional Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Plans. This includes identifying priorities for land conservation and outdoor recreation needs based on best available science and information. Regional Partnerships are tasked with developing maps and other tools to better understand and visualize conservation and outdoor priorities that advance a statewide vision. Coordinates with CPW biologists, planners, and managers to ensure that CPW biological data, recreation assets data, regional and statewide plans, and expertise are informing the RPI.

Will need to be familiar with the CPW State Wildlife Action Plan, Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, Planning Trails with Wildlife in Mind, Habitat Conservation and Connectivity planning effort and other programs to support development of regional and statewide metrics for success and program evaluation.

Position requires proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office/Excel, and Zoom. Experience with ESRI GIS, Adobe, Statistical Analysis Programs and Survey Tools (Survey Monkey, Qualtrics, etc.) is a plus.

Minimum Qualifications: Two years of professional experience in stakeholder and community engagement and/or outreach, program management, strategic planning or in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position AND at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Park and Recreation Management, Business, Biology,or a field of study related to the work assignment.

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience
• Experience providing, program management, coordination, and facilitation of a coalition or board.
• Experience with data collection, analysis and maintenance, and communicating technical information.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and community outreach.

Application Deadline: January 1, 2024

Salary: $56,028.00 – $72,828.00

How to Apply: Please use the online application for more information as well as how to apply.