Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative Program Manager

Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative, a program of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council, seeks Program Manager

Background

The Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative (CRWC), a program of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC), was established in 2021 in western Garfield County. The MCWC is currently in the pre-award phase of a Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation grant award that will provide three years of capacity funding for the newly established Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative Program Manager role.

Program Manager – Job Description

The Program Manager will coordinate and lead wildfire mitigation, woody biomass repurposing, grantwriting and fundraising, outreach and collaborative efforts across the middle Colorado River watershed region. This role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to work with diverse partners and stakeholders, and a commitment to advancing community wildfire resilience in the Colorado River Valley.

Key Responsibilities

Outreach & Education

• Administrate and lead the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative
• Identify future funding paths and influence regional policy
• Develop and deliver community outreach programs on wildfire preparedness
• Provide info and presentations to HOAs, municipalities and other local groups to organize cooperative actions
• Organize and host community trainings and educational events
• Conduct defensible space (D-space) assessments following completion of the ASIP course

Community Fire Adaptation & Vegetation Management Implementation

• Support the development of Firewise USA® communities
• Guide neighborhoods and subdivisions in adopting fire-adapted community practices
• Facilitate homeowner participation in defensible space and mitigation programs, including cost-share programs
• Provide assistance to private landowners implementing defensible space projects.
• Develop cost-share opportunities through grants and partnerships
• Support project implementation using established contractor and utilization company networks
• Coordinate and manage community chipper days, either as roaming events in priority neighborhoods or at designated drop sites

Funding & Grant Management

• Research, write and submit grant applications in support of Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative projects and priorities
• Manage and distribute acquired funds (grants, donations and other sources) to support mitigation efforts
• Manage CRWC’s role in serving as the fiscal agent for large-scale vegetation management projects with subdivisions, HOAs, etc.
• Track and report on FRWRM grant deliverables.

Contractor & Utilization Coordination

• Develop and maintain a list of local contractors to support homeowners and organizations with mitigation efforts
• Build and share a directory of wood utilization companies
• Coordinate with contractors and partners to support implementation of vegetation management projects

Collaborative Project Workflow

The Program Manager will support and help coordinate the following workflow for projects prioritized by the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative:

• Community Outreach & Education – Lead: CRWC Program Manager; Support: Partner organizations
• Project Development – Lead: Partner organizations (e.g., CRFR, CSFS); Support: CRWC
• Funding Development & Grant Applications – Lead: CRWC; Support: Partner organizations
• Fiscal Agent – MCWC (CRWC), county or partner organizations
• Scope of Work Development – Lead: Partner organizations; Support: CRWC
• Contracting – CRWC and partner organizations
• Contract Administration – CRWC and Partner organizations, with input from grant funder

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in community engagement, outreach and/or education.
• Strong grantwriting, fundraising and budget management skills
• Knowledge of wildfire mitigation, defensible space and forest/vegetation management practices is preferred
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including landowners, HOAs, nonprofits and government agencies
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
• Valid Colorado driver's license and ability to travel for business purposes. Qualified mileage is reimbursed per current IRS rates.
• Bilingual verbal and written English and Spanish is a plus
• Past nonprofit administration, public policy and/or natural resources experience is a plus
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds and perform physical tasks as required

Location and Work Environment

The Program Manager will work remotely, onsite at project/meeting locations, and at River Stop at 200 Lion’s Park Circle in Rifle, Colorado. This role will demand a combination of desk work, meetings and fieldwork. Working hours will sometimes include weekends and evenings.

Term and Compensation

The CRWC Program Manager is a full-time salaried employee position ineligible for overtime. Compensation is $80,000 annually, with up to a $400 monthly stipend toward the premium associated with a qualified health insurance plan. MCWC offers 18 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year and nine paid holidays. The Program Manager reports to the Executive Director. Employment could begin as soon as April 1, 2026. The first 90 days of employment are a trial period.

Application Instructions

Please send the following materials by email to . Package all application materials into one single PDF. Format the email subject line as follows: Program Manager – [Your Last Name].

• Resume and cover Letter describing your experience as it relates to the position, your interest in working for the Middle Colorado Watershed Council/Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative, and how you believe your knowledge, skills and professional attributes will make you successful in the position. Please indicate in your cover letter how you found out about the Program Manager role.
• Three professional references, including reference name, title, contact information and a brief explanation of your relationship.
• Optional: You may include one highly related work product that showcases an example of your skill sets and experience as it relates to this position. It may be sent as a separate attachment or link.
• Candidates who proceed beyond the initial application screening will be offered a preliminary informal interview (held via online video conferencing) with a small team of CRWC stakeholders.
• Candidates who proceed beyond the preliminary interview will be offered an in-person interview with a small team of CRWC stakeholders.

Pay: $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rifle, CO

Salary : $80,000