Conservation Technical Assistant

With the Central Colorado Conservancy

Salida, CO

Service Dates: May 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 

Average Hours per Week: 40

Days/Hours of Service: Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00, may vary to include weekends/evenings

Minimum # of Hours to Complete Term: 1200 Hours minimum 

About Blue Elements Watershed Stewards: Blue Elements Watershed Stewards are committed to increasing community resilience in the face of changing water conditions by supporting sustainable access to one of Colorado’s most valuable natural resources. AmeriCorps members will support organizations serving the water education and monitoring sectors in the Arkansas River Valley and beyond. Members may provide water education to youth and adults, complete watershed restoration projects, and support water quality monitoring projects.

About the Central Colorado Conservancy:  Central Colorado Conservancy (Conservancy) is an accredited land trust and community-based conservation organization based in Salida, CO. Our mission is to protect the land, waters and quality of life of Central Colorado as our communities face pressure and rapid growth. Located in the upper Arkansas River watershed, the Conservancy is a tremendously impactful, successful and respected nonprofit within one of the state’s most vibrant agricultural, arts and recreational communities. Since 2001, the Conservancy has protected over 6,900 acres of private land through conservation easements and acquisitions. The Conservancy also leads landscape-scale collaborative partnerships to improve watershed health and implement stream management projects; delivers short-term protection of working lands through agriculture conservation agreements; works with agricultural producers to keep working lands working; and serves in a leadership capacity in partnership with the Lake County Conservation District (LCCD). We envision a future for Central Colorado that is supported by thriving communities that have safeguarded their rural character, lands, waters and wildlife for future generations. Learn more at https://www.centralcoloradoconservancy.org/ 

About the Position: The AmeriCorps intern will support the Conservancy’s Community Conservation Connection program. This program works with agricultural landowners throughout Chaffee County who wish to place an Agricultural Conservation Agreement on their land. These agreements help maintain conservation values that agricultural lands provide, limit nonagricultural development, and ensure ongoing basic agricultural management practices. Program participants receive a monetary incentive of annual payments based on a per-acre rate. In 2025, the Connection program is expanding with a goal of executing 10-15 agreements with landowners to protect about 5,000 acres. 

The AmeriCorps intern will work closely with the Conservancy’s Agriculture Program Manager in implementing the Connection program. The primary duty of the intern will be to conduct field work and prepare baseline inventory reports on large acreage properties enrolled in the Community Conservation Connection program. 

Primary Position Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Prepare baseline inventory reports for 10-15 properties enrolled in 5 and 10-year agreements as part of the Community Conservation Connection program.
• Schedule appointments to meet with participating landowners to collect a predetermined checklist of information about each property. 
• Collect baseline data on the properties including but limited to buildings, fence lines, stock tanks, vegetation, wetlands/wet meadows, wildlife species or other physical aspects of the properties. 
• Secure shapefiles of each property and create maps of building envelopes.
• Create photo points of each property to document existing conditions and to be used during annual monitoring visits. 
• Assist in other tasks related to Central Colorado Conservancy programs and events, as needed.

Trainings will be provided in First Aid/ CPR, Mental Health First Aid 

Leave No Trace and GIS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in the Natural Resources, Biology or Environmental Science Fields is preferred
• Experience or strong interest in working with people in rural and agricultural communities. Exposure to private lands conservation issues in the West. 
• Understanding of landscape ecology and natural resource management, preferred. Knowledge of ranching, irrigation systems, soil and vegetation health, and grassland management a bonus. 
• Respectful, articulate and effective listener and communicator, with both written and oral communication skills. Works well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Organized with the ability to simultaneously advance multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Computer proficiency using Windows-based software. Proficiency with the Google Suite and Microsoft products. 
• Experience with GIS mapping, preferred. 
• General photography skills, desired.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Willingness to travel within the upper Arkansas Headwaters region in a personal vehicle. Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required.

AmeriCorps Required Qualifications: 

• At least 18 years old at start of service 
• Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during the term of service. 
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
  ● Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202

Physical Demands and Service Environment: This position is based at Central Colorado Conservancy located in Salida, CO. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an AmeriCorps Intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work in a standard office setting, with prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer and reaching continually throughout the workday (mouse, keyboard, telephone).
• Ability to accomplish field work in an outdoor setting that entails walking, often over rough terrain and in a variety of weather conditions.  
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive safely obeying all traffic laws on and off paved roads. 
• May include lifting up to thirty (30) pounds of project gear.
• Must be able to go up and down stairs carrying materials or project gear to and from meetings, events, site visits, etc.
• Some evening and weekend work expected.

Watershed Stewards AmeriCorps Program Benefits: 

• Living Allowance- AmeriCorps member(s) will receive a total stipend of $13,090 paid out bi-monthly at $818.30 per pay period over the course of the term. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• Housing Stipend- AmeriCorps member(s) will receive a total stipend of $4,000 paid out bi-monthly at $250.00 per pay period over the course of the term. Taxes are deducted and the housing stipend is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• Education Award / Tuition Assistance- AmeriCorps member(s) can receive an Education Award upon successful completion of service in the amount of $5,176.50. This can be used to pay back student loans or further your education. 
• All members receive professional development and training, plus covered travel costs for attendance at regional or state conferences. 
• All members may be eligible for the Federal Assistance Program (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
  ● All members may qualify for student loan forbearance while in service.
  ● Alumni benefits may include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers 

of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt. 

Blue Elements Watershed Stewards is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage people of every color, orientation, age, sex, origin, and ability to apply. Our service culture embraces—and is strengthened by—the unique perspectives, contributions and experiences of all our members.