Colorado's San Luis Valley is undergoing one of the largest agricultural transitions in the West as groundwater conservation efforts retire irrigated farmland. Colorado Open Lands (COL) is partnering with landowners, agricultural producers, and conservation organizations to restore these landscapes through collaborative revegetation, habitat restoration, and adaptive management. This position offers an opportunity to help shape a growing restoration program that supports wildlife, groundwater conservation, resilient working lands, and thriving rural communities. The Dryland Restoration Program Manager will help implement and expand COL's dryland restoration program by coordinating restoration projects from planning through implementation and monitoring. This role will build partnerships with landowners and conservation organizations, manage grants and project budgets, coordinate contractors and technical partners, and support successful restoration outcomes across the San Luis Valley and Colorado.

Compensation: $73,000-$78,000

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Application Website: https://coloradoopenlands.org/careers/

The Water Program Manager identifies, develops, and implements projects that advance the Land Trust’s Water Plan. The goals of this Plan include land and water protection, habitat restoration, promoting soil health and water-conserving agricultural practices, and building community capacity to address challenges posed by increasing water scarcity. The Water Program Manager will play a key role in the Land Trust’s Risk to Resilience Initiative, a water-focused buy-innovate-protect-sell effort. The Water Program Manager will collaborate with other CWLT staff to complete real estate transactions including fee acquisitions and conservation easements and to implement projects to restore habitat, conserve water in agricultural operations, and improve soil health. They will oversee agricultural leases on farms acquired by CWLT and work with lessees to advance CWLT water program objectives.

The Water Program Manager will work with landowners, service providers, water management entities, and funders and must be able to build and maintain positive relationships with a diverse variety of constituents and stakeholders. This position requires knowledge of Western water rights and their management, and an understanding of real estate transactions; the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines; and effective relationship building skills. The Water Program Manager is personable, detail-oriented, and flexible with the ability to respond well to changing circumstances.

Compensation: $60,000 - $78,000

Deadline: October 1st, 2026

Application Website: https://cwlt.bamboohr.com/careers/38?source=aWQ9MjU%3D