Winter Wildlands Alliance is hiring! We are a tight team dedicated to our work and looking to add a new position to the roster. Applications open November 15, 2023, and the position is open until filled. For strongest consideration please submit your application by December 1, 2023.

Position Details

Job Title: Colorado Policy Coordinator

Location: Southwestern Colorado (fully remote) with a preference for being located near the San Juan, Rio Grande, or Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests.

Classification: 1 year part-time independent contractor position

Salary: ​​$800-$1000/month depending on experience and mutually agreed upon hours

Supervisor: Policy Director

About Winter Wildlands Alliance

Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes. We are an Alliance of environmental and outdoor recreation organizations, SnowSchool sites and backcountry partners. Our SnowSchool program engages over 33,000 kids in science-based field trips and education across 60 sites nationwide. Our Backcountry Film Festival, premiering every winter in Boise, Idaho, tours more than 100 locations worldwide and raises $200,000+ each tour season for local mountain communities.

Our staff and board are made up of people from all different backgrounds. Our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) is woven throughout our internal training, year-round community events, digital and print communications, and staff and board meetings.

At Winter Wildlands Alliance, we build leaders and we are problem solvers; our culture sets us apart and influences everything we do. Snow is fun and working at Winter Wildlands is too. Read more about your future coworkers here: www.winterwildlands.org/staff.

Job Overview

Winter Wildlands Alliance is looking for an enthusiastic and detail-oriented individual to coordinate our on-the-ground grassroots organizing and policy work in Colorado. A major focus of this work will be on preparing for and engaging in new Forest Service over-snow vehicle (winter) travel plans on the Rio Grande, San Juan, and GMUG National Forests. The Colorado Policy Coordinator will work with the Forest Service and other partners and stakeholders, under the direction of WWA’s Policy Director, to represent WWA in winter travel planning processes and help local supporters engage in these processes; and conduct and coordinate winter recreation data collection and reporting.

Position involves occasional travel throughout the 3 forest region of Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Work with WWA Policy Director to build and support WWA grassroots efforts focused on the San Juan mountain region.
• Work with WWA Policy Director on winter travel planning on the Rio Grande, San Juan, and GMUG National Forests. Objectives include but are not limited to:
  • Develop/maintain relationships with applicable Forest Service staff on the 3 forests 
  • Identify quiet recreation desired outcomes for winter travel planning across the San Juan mountain region 
  • Work with grassroots groups and backcountry/Nordic skiers across the region to continue 2023 mapping effort of priority areas and trails and identify travel management goals
  • Identify and build relationships with other winter travel planning stakeholders
  • Participate in planning meetings, alert/encourage local supporters to participate in meetings/comment opportunities, and help WWA Policy Director with any applicable comment writing.
• Coordinate a winter recreation data collection effort across the Rio Grande, San Juan, and GMUG National Forests.
• Work with WWA Events and Marketing Director to host Backcountry Film Festival screening(s) in southwestern Colorado (Pagosa Springs, Durango, Ouray, etc)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree, in public policy, law, natural resource management, environmental studies or related degree
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Fluency in public lands policy and regulatory processes a plus
• Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders, including local communities, outdoor industry representatives, federal agencies, elected officials, grassroots groups, other non-profit organizations and individual recreationists
• Community organizing and public outreach experience
• Ability to organize events and facilitate meetings
• Proficient in word processing (Microsoft and Google Suite), data management, and other basic computer skills
• Familiarity with GIS, or other digital mapping tools, a plus
• Enthusiasm for human-powered winter recreation, conservation and WWA’s mission
• Authenticity and credibility within the human-powered winter recreation community in southern Colorado
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability and desire to work collaboratively with the WWA team  

How to Apply

Please email a brief cover letter and resume with 3 professional references (email subject line: CO Policy Coordinator) to Winter Wildlands Alliance Policy Director Hilary Eisen: heisen@winterwildlands.org.