Project Implementation Coordinator – Colorado River Program

TFT’s work in Colorado and the Upper Colorado River Basin has provided analytical tools and models to help our partners design water conservation projects and inform state and national policy to address the crisis in the Colorado River Basin. This position will build on those efforts by developing, supporting, and implementing on-the-ground projects. The Project Implementation Coordinator will help TFT, its partners, and Colorado West Slope communities tap into the time-limited funding opportunity provided by water and conservation related investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to modernize irrigation infrastructure, build drought resilience, and restore ecosystem function in the Colorado River and its tributaries. The position will report to the Colorado Regional Vice President and will work closely with TFT leadership, the Colorado analytics project manager, and TFT’s science and analytics team, grants team, and administrators. Approximately 40-50% of work will be completed in a home office and 50-60% will be completed at project locations as well as at meetings and events with stakeholders. Who you are: You are an individual who thrives in a stakeholder engagement and coordination role, who is collaborative, who possesses excellent relationship-building and communication skills, and who can foster strong partnerships. You have a background in conservation, agriculture, and/or water engineering and have a demonstrated ability to design and implement conservation projects that can make a difference for the production, economic, and environmental objectives of local communities. You are proactive and solutions- oriented—with the ability to connect everyday tasks to the big picture. You are committed to the resilience of communities and watersheds in the Colorado River Basin. Essential Duties: Work with irrigators and other partners to proactively design, develop, and implement projects and programs. Projects and programs may focus on field-level irrigation upgrades, ditch system repairs and improvements, forest health and fire mitigation projects, and/or watershed restoration projects. Serve as the primary point of contact for on-the-ground project development and support. Engage with partner organizations and stakeholders. Manage day-to-day communications and relationships. Assist with project fundraising efforts and lead or assist with project implementation, due-diligence, and documentation efforts required by TFT, funders, partners, and/or others to bring projects from conception to completion. Contribute place-based knowledge to support program goal setting; identify opportunities and challenges, and make recommendations for future or continued engagement with partners. Serve as a spokesperson, subject matter expert, and active learner with local partners and communicate project and program goals and priorities. Identify resources needed to support partner or landowner recruitment and other program elements. Represent TFT locally at stakeholder meetings, workshops, and other events, including public presentations. Minimum Qualifications: Minimum Bachelor’s degree required, optimally in natural resource management, agriculture, water resources, or a related field. At least 5 years professional experience working in agriculture, water resources, or restoration programs or experience in a related field managing timelines, projects, and tasks with external partners. Highly organized and able to learn, use, and improve internal tracking and coordination tools and processes. Excellent reliability and follow-through. Ability to work collaboratively to build and sustain relationships, both externally and internally. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to work safely as part of a team in rural and remote areas. Preferred Qualifications: Graduate degree in natural resource management, agriculture, water resources or a related field. Experience with modernizing irrigation systems and/or implementing watershed restoration efforts, ideally knowing how such activities can produce mutually beneficial outcomes for producers and the environment (i.e., the creation of co-benefits). Familiarity with permitting, compliance, and appurtenant grant and cost-share programs. Demonstrated project recruitment success. Additional Considerations: Applicants must have a passion for the mission and values of TFT, a demonstrated commitment to watershed restoration, and the ability to motivate others around this mission. Applicants must hold a valid driver’s license and have the ability to drive long distances (ranging 1 to 5 hours one way). Applicants must have legal authority to work in the U.S. Benefits: TFT believes in investing in our employees, their health, and their future through our benefits offerings. Our total rewards package includes full health and dental coverage, automatic 5% retirement employer contributions, commuter benefits and cell phone reimbursement. Because we are all in, we value getting out, and support our staff with 5 weeks of paid time off plus over 10 paid holidays per year. We also offer perks such as staff retreats, sabbatical for full-time staff after seven years, and professional development opportunities. Application Instructions: Supply a Cover Letter, Resume, and a list of 3 References into a single PDF not to exceed 5MB. Submit required information and documentation here. Interested candidates from historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Freshwater Trust is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection of candidates for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, military service, family medical history, legal source of income, gender identity, political affiliation, or family leave obligations. ADA accommodations will be provided upon request.