Conservation Development and Outreach Coordinator

La Plata Open Space Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust based in Durango, Colorado, is seeking a Conservation Development and Outreach Coordinator to support the organization’s conservation, stewardship, outreach, development, and administrative work in Southwest Colorado. This position will work closely with the Executive Director and staff to help implement communications, events, donor and partner engagement, landowner outreach, stewardship support, records management, and other organizational priorities. The role also offers an opportunity to help develop creative, mission-aligned programs that expand community engagement and support LPOSC’s conservation goals.

This is a hands-on role where professional staff work collaboratively across program areas. The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, detail-oriented, brings a positive and solution-oriented attitude, and enjoys working as part of a team. This position requires someone who can take direction, ask thoughtful questions, and finish tasks with clear communication and strong follow-through. It is well suited for someone who enjoys supporting outreach, communications, events, donor engagement, and behind-the-scenes coordination, has a passion for conservation, and wants to help build the capacity of a growing land trust. We invite you to join our team and help advance meaningful conservation work in Southwest Colorado.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational and Administrative Support

·      Provide administrative support to the Executive Director at their direction.

·      Assist with scheduling, meeting preparation, document organization, and file management.

·      Maintain organized digital and physical records related to outreach, development, stewardship, landowners, donors, partners, and events.

·      Prepare materials for Board, donor, partner, landowner, or staff meetings.

·      Track tasks, deadlines, and follow-up items across multiple projects.

·      Assist with general office and organizational support tasks as needed.

·      Support staff workflows by helping reduce administrative burdens on the Executive Director and Stewardship Coordinator.

Outreach and Communications

·      Draft and schedule social media posts, newsletters, email updates, and website content.

·      Help create outreach materials, email campaigns, flyers, donor communications, event materials, simple graphics, and provide grant application support.

·      Support consistent messaging across LPOSC’s website, email platforms, social media, and printed materials.

·      Track basic outreach and communications metrics as requested.

·      Maintain a professional, positive, and consistent tone in communications with landowners, partners, donors, volunteers, and community members.

·      Represent LPOSC professionally in communications and interactions with landowners, donors, partners, volunteers, event participants, and community members.

Development, Events, and Program Support

·      Help organize and implement LPOSC events and programs, fundraising events, landowner workshops, educational programs, and other mission-aligned outreach activities.

·      Coordinate event logistics, including timelines, vendors, volunteers, registration, supplies, signage, participant communications, and day-of support.

·      Help develop and implement new programs that align with LPOSC’s mission, strategic plan, conservation priorities, and community engagement goals.

·      Help manage sponsorship materials, donor acknowledgments, guest lists, auction materials, event follow-up, and related records.

Stewardship and Conservation Program Support

·      Assist the Stewardship Coordinator with monitoring-related administrative tasks, landowner communications, mailings, records, and reports.

·      Support preparation and organization of stewardship files, monitoring materials, landowner outreach materials, and project documentation.

·      Support field, office, or event-related stewardship tasks as needed.

Team Support and Professional Collaboration

·      Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, Stewardship Coordinator, GIS coordinator, contractors, Board members, volunteers, interns, landowners, and partners.

·      Communicate proactively about progress, questions, workload, and deadlines.

·      Contribute to a professional, supportive, and solution-oriented staff culture.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·      Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in nonprofit administration, outreach, communications, development, events, conservation, natural resources, or closely related work; equivalent combinations of education, internships, volunteer service, and professional experience may be considered.

·      Experience using communications, marketing, or donor-management tools such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Meta Business Suite, Canva, Salesforce, WordPress, Squarespace, or similar platforms; proficiency with Microsoft Office.

·      Experience organizing, developing, and implementing fundraising events, donor communications, sponsorships, newsletters, social media, website updates, or similar outreach/development activities.

·      Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

·      Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills.

·      Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities; take direction and complete assigned work with minimal follow-up.

·      Comfort working in a small, dynamic nonprofit environment where staff assist across all areas of operation as a team.

·      Interest in land conservation, open space, natural resources, community engagement, or nonprofit work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·      Ability to assist with basic maps, graphics, data organization, or conservation project materials.

·      Experience working with landowners, donors, volunteers, public agencies, community partners, or nonprofit Boards.

·      Experience maintaining organized files, databases, contact lists, or project-tracking systems.

DETAILS

·      Reports to Executive Director

·      Status: Full-time

·      Salary Range: $48,000-$52,000, depending on experience and demonstrated skills

·      Location: Durango, Colorado, with some fieldwork, local travel, and occasional evening or weekend events as needed

Benefits: Paid time off starting at 10 days annually prorated based on start date and hours worked with accrual increases; health insurance options; sick time; paid holidays on major federal holidays; and 3% employer match on retirement plan contributions. Mileage reimbursement, flexible scheduling, supportive work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.

Application Instructions

To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and two references as a single document and email to Dr. Jennifer Zahratka at jennifer@lposc.org with the subject line: “Conservation Development and Outreach Coordinator Application.” Incorrect submissions will not be reviewed. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.