Colorado River Program Manager

ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED

Trout Unlimited (TU) takes care of the rivers and clean water that trout, salmon, and communities around the country depend on. We are a nationwide network of advocates, outdoor enthusiasts, volunteers, anglers, and staff dedicated to protecting places where trout and salmon thrive and recovering rivers and fisheries that need help. We want to make sure healthy rivers and fisheries are available for all people to use and enjoy. TU has 300,000 members and supporters backed by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who operate out of more than 45 offices across the country. In the Colorado River Basin, TU has a dynamic conservation team that works with a range of partners to advance conservation projects and policies strengthening water resilience. Known for steadfastness, ingenuity, and deep community trust, our team spearheads efforts to protect watersheds across the Upper and Lower Basins. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Trout Unlimited (TU) seeks to hire a Colorado River Program Manager to support TU’s project and policy work and coordinate with partners in the Colorado River Basin. TU’s work across the Basin is expanding in exciting new ways, and this role presents an opportunity for motivated candidates to work on impactful issues. The Program Manager will work closely with the Colorado River Program Director & Western Water Policy Advisor, project managers, and state directors to support the development of proposals through federal funding programs including the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART programs and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. The Program manager will also track and analyze federal programs and funding awards to understand how programs are supporting conservation work across the West. 

In addition, the Colorado River Program Manager will engage with TU’s partners, including NGOs, federal and state agencies, and agricultural producers, to advance shared goals. The Program Manager will facilitate cross-organization teams, develop and maintain shared resources that support project implementation at scale, and support shared communications efforts. The individual in this position must be a self-starter with excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail in large and small projects. The Manager will possess the ability to problem-solve, multitask, and facilitate small groups, and will provide proactive and enthusiastic support to the broader Colorado River team.  

This is a hybrid position. The role has flexibility to work remotely from home; however, the position must occasionally travel to team meetings and other events. 

Federal programs and policy:

• Support Project Managers with federal grant opportunities by tracking grant solicitations and exploring opportunities to scale proposals or leverage federal funding with state, private, or other philanthropic funding opportunities. 
• Support proposal development by teaming up with Project Managers and other staff to draft, refine, review, and submit proposals. 
• Support conservation staff and grant accountants in efficiently reporting on federally funded grants, agreements, and contracts. 
• Track and analyze federal funding program awards across relevant programs.  
• Work with and support the Colorado River Program Director & Western Water Policy Advisor in tracking and responding to Colorado River Basin policy, news, and events.
• Compile information for and support creation of materials for meetings, conferences, events, and reports.

Colorado River Team management: 

• Maintain SharePoint sites, email lists, and Teams channels as necessary to organize and share information across staff.
• Support organization of and logistics for annual Colorado River Team meetings.  
• Serve as a liaison, when needed, between the Colorado River Team and staff from other departments across TU. 

Partner organization and facilitation

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with partners across multiple states, organizations, agencies, and sectors.
• Participate in virtual and in-person meetings with TU partners. 
• Facilitate multi-state teams focused on increasing the pace and scale of developing and implementing projects to enhance water-related climate resilience in the Colorado River Basin, with a particular focus on nature-based solutions.
• Develop and maintain a resource bank of science, technical, policy, communications, and funding tools accessible to project managers across the Colorado River Basin to help increase the pace and scale of projects promoting water-related climate resilience.

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• 2 years of experience in a relevant field 
• Familiarity with western water and/or Colorado River Basin history, policy, and current events
• Service-oriented perspective and desire to help a team reach broader conservation goals 
• Experience with grant proposal writing
• Ability to solve problems and think creatively 
• Strong time-management and organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage and adapt to changing circumstances effectively and nimbly 
• Ability to quickly synthesize or translate technical requirements into lay terminology
• Ability to work well and remain flexible in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Ability to represent TU clearly and professionally through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to organize and manage diverse activities, set priorities, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs
• The position does not require knowledge of river conservation techniques, but it does require high energy and a passion for rivers, fish, people, and conservation.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and family-friendly atmosphere. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package. The starting salary range is $59,000-$76,000 annually, depending on qualifications, experience, and locality.

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and list of three references to Trout Unlimited via our online job application system. We will begin reviewing applications on April 7, 2025. The position will be open until filled.

ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED

Trout Unlimited (TU) takes care of the rivers and clean water that trout, salmon, and communities around the country depend on. We are a nationwide network of advocates, outdoor enthusiasts, volunteers, anglers, and staff dedicated to protecting places where trout and salmon thrive and recovering rivers and fisheries that need help. We want to make sure healthy rivers and fisheries are available for all people to use and enjoy. TU has 300,000 members and supporters backed by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who operate out of more than 45 offices across the country. In the Colorado River Basin, TU has a dynamic conservation team that works with a range of partners to advance conservation projects and policies strengthening water resilience. Known for steadfastness, ingenuity, and deep community trust, our team spearheads efforts to protect watersheds across the Upper and Lower Basins. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Trout Unlimited (TU) seeks to hire a Colorado River Program Manager to support TU’s project and policy work and coordinate with partners in the Colorado River Basin. TU’s work across the Basin is expanding in exciting new ways, and this role presents an opportunity for motivated candidates to work on impactful issues. The Program Manager will work closely with the Colorado River Program Director & Western Water Policy Advisor, project managers, and state directors to support the development of proposals through federal funding programs including the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART programs and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. The Program manager will also track and analyze federal programs and funding awards to understand how programs are supporting conservation work across the West. 

In addition, the Colorado River Program Manager will engage with TU’s partners, including NGOs, federal and state agencies, and agricultural producers, to advance shared goals. The Program Manager will facilitate cross-organization teams, develop and maintain shared resources that support project implementation at scale, and support shared communications efforts. The individual in this position must be a self-starter with excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail in large and small projects. The Manager will possess the ability to problem-solve, multitask, and facilitate small groups, and will provide proactive and enthusiastic support to the broader Colorado River team.  

This is a hybrid position. The role has flexibility to work remotely from home; however, the position must occasionally travel to team meetings and other events. 

Federal programs and policy:

• Support Project Managers with federal grant opportunities by tracking grant solicitations and exploring opportunities to scale proposals or leverage federal funding with state, private, or other philanthropic funding opportunities. 
• Support proposal development by teaming up with Project Managers and other staff to draft, refine, review, and submit proposals. 
• Support conservation staff and grant accountants in efficiently reporting on federally funded grants, agreements, and contracts. 
• Track and analyze federal funding program awards across relevant programs.  
• Work with and support the Colorado River Program Director & Western Water Policy Advisor in tracking and responding to Colorado River Basin policy, news, and events.
• Compile information for and support creation of materials for meetings, conferences, events, and reports.

Colorado River Team management: 

• Maintain SharePoint sites, email lists, and Teams channels as necessary to organize and share information across staff.
• Support organization of and logistics for annual Colorado River Team meetings.  
• Serve as a liaison, when needed, between the Colorado River Team and staff from other departments across TU. 

Partner organization and facilitation

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with partners across multiple states, organizations, agencies, and sectors.
• Participate in virtual and in-person meetings with TU partners. 
• Facilitate multi-state teams focused on increasing the pace and scale of developing and implementing projects to enhance water-related climate resilience in the Colorado River Basin, with a particular focus on nature-based solutions.
• Develop and maintain a resource bank of science, technical, policy, communications, and funding tools accessible to project managers across the Colorado River Basin to help increase the pace and scale of projects promoting water-related climate resilience.

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• 2 years of experience in a relevant field 
• Familiarity with western water and/or Colorado River Basin history, policy, and current events
• Service-oriented perspective and desire to help a team reach broader conservation goals 
• Experience with grant proposal writing
• Ability to solve problems and think creatively 
• Strong time-management and organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage and adapt to changing circumstances effectively and nimbly 
• Ability to quickly synthesize or translate technical requirements into lay terminology
• Ability to work well and remain flexible in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Ability to represent TU clearly and professionally through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to organize and manage diverse activities, set priorities, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs
• The position does not require knowledge of river conservation techniques, but it does require high energy and a passion for rivers, fish, people, and conservation.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and family-friendly atmosphere. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package. The starting salary range is $59,000-$76,000 annually, depending on qualifications, experience, and locality.

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and list of three references to Trout Unlimited via our online job application system. We will begin reviewing applications on April 7, 2025. The position will be open until filled.