{"id":60029,"date":"2026-07-16T10:35:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/?p=60029"},"modified":"2026-07-16T10:35:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:35:24","slug":"job-water-program-manager-colorado-west-land-trust-grand-junction-co","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/job-water-program-manager-colorado-west-land-trust-grand-junction-co\/","title":{"rendered":"Job: Water Program Manager,\u00a0Colorado West Land Trust (Grand Junction, CO)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Colorado West Land Trust<\/p>\n

Grand Junction, Colorado<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Job Type<\/td>\nPermanent<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Salary<\/td>\n$60,000 – $78,000 per year<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deadline<\/td>\nSep 01, 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min. Experience<\/td>\n2 – 4 years<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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As water challenges continue to grow across the West, your work can help create lasting solutions for the landscapes and communities that depend on it. Colorado West Land Trust is seeking a Water Program Manager to lead innovative projects that protect water resources while supporting resilient agriculture and healthy landscapes. If you are passionate about conservation and building partnerships that create lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Status  <\/strong>             Full time, regular, exempt <\/p>\n

Reports to <\/strong>       Conservation Director <\/p>\n

Location <\/strong>          Grand Junction or Montrose, CO \u2013 this is not a remote position <\/p>\n

Schedule<\/strong>          Monday-Friday with some evenings and weekends required for meetings and special events <\/p>\n

Travel   <\/strong>            Regional travel required; urban, rural, and backcountry<\/p>\n

Full Salary Range <\/strong>            $60,000 – $78,000 annually <\/p>\n

Anticipated Hiring Range<\/strong>   $60,000 – $70,000 annually <\/p>\n

Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT)<\/strong> is the leading Land Trust in Western Colorado, serving a seven-county region from Grand Junction south to Ouray and Gunnison west into Grand County, Utah. CWLT has conserved 150,000 acres through more than 400 conservation agreements over its 40-year history. CWLT is a private, charitable non-profit organization, accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and governed by an active Board of Directors. CWLT has offices in Grand Junction and Montrose, Colorado. <\/p>\n

CWLT\u2019s professional staff work together cooperatively to achieve CWLT\u2019s mission: To protect and enhance agricultural land, wildlife habitat and scenic lands in western Colorado to benefit the community at large, enrich lives, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, and ensure our connection to the land for generations to come. CWLT\u2019s professional staff are flexible, solutions-oriented, collaborative workers who have a passion to fulfill the organization\u2019s mission. <\/p>\n

Job Summary <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Water Program Manager identifies, develops, and implements projects that advance the Land Trust\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.   <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a key member of the Colorado West Land Trust team, the Water Program Manager contributes to a cooperative and supportive work environment. Work is in alignment with the overarching goals and priorities defined through organizational planning, ensuring that progress is consistent with CWLT\u2019s mission and strategic direction. <\/p>\n

Land Conservation & Water Protection <\/strong><\/p>\n