Job Description

High Country Conservation Advocates

Advocacy Director Job Opening

About the Role

High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA), a registered 501c(3) non-profit based in Crested Butte, Colorado, is looking to hire an Advocacy Director to lead efforts to protect the health, integrity, and beauty of the public lands in Gunnison County. This role includes monitoring and advocacy relating to the protection of public lands in and around Gunnison County. Major concerns of this program include oversight of federal land management agency plans and implementation regarding forest health and logging, energy development, recreation management, roadless/wilderness advocacy, and wildlife. HCCA is anticipating the successful resolution of its founding issue in the coming months and is looking for a motivated and passionate environmental advocate to build on our successful record and help shape the organization’s future. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to have real impact in one of the most beautiful places in the United States.

About Us

High Country Conservation Advocates’ mission is to protect the health and natural beauty of the land, rivers and wildlife in and around Gunnison County, Colorado now and for future generations. HCCA was founded in 1977 to protect the area from a proposed molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons. Known locally as “Red Lady,” Mt. Emmons rises directly above the Town of Crested Butte’s historic district.  Since then, HCCA has successfully led the community in keeping Mt. Emmons mine-free. Realizing that environmental threats go well beyond mining, HCCA developed public lands and water programs to protect these precious resources, upon which our local economy depends. As an outgrowth of this work, we have become Gunnison County’s environmental leader, protecting public lands, water, and wildlife in an area that covers more than 3,500 square miles. Gunnison County is comprised of over 80% public land and the Gunnison River is the 5th largest tributary to the Colorado River.

Goals

• Avoid, minimize and mitigate negative impacts to public lands in Gunnison County and the Upper Gunnison Basin
• Provide expert conservation-centered engagement on federal, state and county proposals for public lands use and management
• Develop membership enthusiasm for and engagement in public lands issues

Essential Responsibilities

Monitor and Advocate Regarding Public Lands Issues

• Provide strategic guidance for HCCA’s Public Lands Program
• Track and analyze federal, state and county proposals and private initiatives with potential impacts on public lands in Gunnison County
• Keep the Board of Directors apprised of public lands issues, and engage with the Board in deciding strategic initiatives and priorities for HCCA
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with other environmental and conservation organizations and stakeholders to advocate on public land issues
• Draft comments and/or collaborate with partner organizations on the drafting and submission of comments on legislative or regulatory proposals impacting public lands
• Communicate with the diverse public interests, elected officials and agency staff involved in public lands use and management
• Coordinate with legal counsel regarding advocacy efforts on select public lands issues
• Participate in public meetings regarding public lands Membership, Development and Community Engagement
• Network with other conservation groups on local, county, state and federal levels
• Maintain Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance (SRCA) participation
• Maintain Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) Committee participation
• Engage HCCA membership and general public through e-blasts, newspapers, social media, meetings and strategic education opportunities
• Assist the Board with fundraising efforts

Administrative

• Write grant requests and maintain/develop relationships with grant funders, with assistance from Board
• Update website as necessary
• Maintain well-organized computer and hard files on ongoing and past issues
• Attend monthly HCCA Board meetings

Pay, Hours, & Benefits

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position, and allows for flexibility in the hours the work is performed.

Work to be performed remotely with the expectation that the Advocacy Director will be based in Crested Butte or Gunnison, Colorado. HCCA offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Salary will be set (within the range described) commensurate with the skills and experience of the selected candidate.

• Base salary is $70,000 to $80,000/year
• Benefits include health insurance stipend, paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, personal leave, plus travel time reimbursement

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Juris Doctorate or other relevant advanced degree preferred
• Commitment to HCCA’s mission and values
• Strong understanding of environmental and conservation policies and issues
• General knowledge of relevant state and federal environmental laws such as NEPA
• Prior work experience relating to environmental legal issues and advocacy
• Strong professional and academic record
• Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for teamwork
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

How to Apply

Please submit a letter of interest and resumé to [email protected].

HCCA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. HCCA is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in both its work and workplace.

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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