Director of Conservation

Founded in 1912, the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) is organized to unite those who cherish, study, and explore the Rocky Mountains, stimulate public interest in the mountains, collect and disseminate information about the mountains on behalf of literature, art, recreation, and science, and protect the ecosystems and landscapes of the Rocky Mountains. The CMC serves a membership of over 8,000, and has a long history in conservation, focusing on protecting the habitats and wildness of the Southern Rockies ecosystem.

Position Overview:

• Develop, oversee and adapt strategic vision for the conservation department and manage 2 full time staff.
• Ensure conservation department budget is met.
• Work in concert with CEO and Director of Development to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the Conservation Department.
• Work with senior staff within the organization to direct and coordinate organizational goals and objectives.
• Work with CMC groups and volunteers to ensure grassroots member involvement in conservation programs.
• Work with human-powered recreationists, conservation and recreation organizations, local governments, and community leaders to accomplish organizational and partner oriented conservation goals.
• Heighten awareness of and support for land protection campaigns statewide
• Increase awareness of the threats to quiet recreation
• Secure legal public access to magnet recreation destinations
• Build a trail maintenance and public lands stewardship program
• Build capacity in CMC's Groups so that they are more effective voices for conservation.
• Coordinate department goals and objectives with CMC's Conservation Advisory Council.

Responsibilities:

• Direct day to day operations and overall strategic approach for statewide conservation efforts led by CMC.
• Supervise 2 full time staff, 1 full time coalition staff person, 1 part-time volunteer, and 10-15 conservation/stewardship chairs at the chapter level (volunteer positions).
• Implement the strategic plan of the CMC and the work plan of the CMC's Conservation Department.
• Advise board of directors, CEO, and other relevant committees on conservation issues vis a vis board policy.
• Ensure that CMC is partnering with land management agencies on trail stewardship and natural resource restoration projects, as determined through collaborative dialogue.
• Coordinating grassroots advocates for CMC's public land protection campaigns
• Negotiate boundaries and protection language with stakeholders engaged in land protection campaigns
• Liaise with congressional staff on myriad conservation and recreation issues
• Work with media on conservation and recreation matters.
• CMC statewide lead for recreation planning, travel management policy initiatives and national collaboration efforts.
• CMC Legislative and Environmental Policy Lead.
• Grant writing and major donor cultivation with focus on, land protection, federal agency partnerships, access, and stewardship.
• Manage statewide stewardship program to coalesce and coordinate chapter level stewardship planning and implementation
• Identify, develop, and grow important partnerships statewide with land management agencies to steward the area most heavily impacted by recreation
• Work with a coalition of organizations and entities across the state to ensure that Colorado's wildlands remain intact.
• Communicate with land managers and decision-makers the views of CMC, the Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance, and the non-motorized community on wilderness and roadless area protection, and other recreation-related public lands issues.
• Comment on land management proposals as appropriate.
• Organize informational forums/events on conservation topics for CMC members.
• Write news articles on a bimonthly basin for T&T and Group newsletters.
• Coordinate with staff to populate e-newsletters, blog, and social media sites.

Reporting Relationship: This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer of The Colorado Mountain Club

Qualifications:

• Degree in the natural sciences, pre-law, political science, environmental policy, or related field.
• In-depth knowledge of Southern Rocky Mountain environmental issues including wilderness and roadless area protection, and recreational issues such as travel management, recreation ecology, and access.
• Experience in working with recreation-oriented organizations on environmental issues.
• 7 or more years experience in program coordination and implementation and budget management.
• Successful fundraising experience
• Experience working with and organizing volunteers.
• Highly personable.
• Self-directed, thoughtful, and innovative thinker.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of Colorado's mountain ranges a plus.
• Status: Full time with benefits.

Compensation: Full time with benefits.

To Apply:

For more information, please contact Colorado Mountain Club. No phone calls.

CMC provides equal employment opportunities to all people regardless of race, age, sex, disability, marital status, ethnicity, religion or any other basis protected by law.