Director of Western Water

Status: Full time | Reports to: Vice President, Western Conservation 

Location: Remote in the Western U.S., Colorado preferred | Salary $ 125,000-135,000 depending on experience 

Founded in 2002, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works with 64 partner groups, its Corporate Council and its 140,000 members and supporters to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish. We unite and amplify our partners’ voices by strengthening policy and funding around conservation, habitat, and access.  

The Director of Western Water leads the TRCP’s efforts to advance federal and state policies that respond to today’s critical challenges facing freshwater resources in the Western U.S. Specifically, this position develops, coordinates, and implements a strategic advocacy campaign to improve state and federal water resource policy and funding to conserve aquatic habitat for fish and wildlife populations important to hunters and anglers, including in high value landscapes.  

To achieve success, this individual manages TRCP field staff and collaborates closely with partner organizations, community leaders, and governmental decision makers to further TRCP’s policy priorities, including to advance improved water management approaches benefiting fish and wildlife in the Colorado River and Rio Grande watersheds.  

The TRCP offers a generous benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, 401k, cell phone and home internet reimbursement, and ample paid time off. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Lead strategic campaign planning processes, fundraising, and budget development for TRCP’s Western Water program, focused primarily on the Colorado and Rio Grande River Watersheds, and with opportunity for growth.   

• Manage a team of field staff to implement campaign plans.   

• Work cooperatively with hunting and angling organizations to advance a unified voice for the conservation of fish and wildlife resources and our outdoor heritage. 

• Build and deliver coalition-driven policy recommendations to decision makers. 

• Represent TRCP in meetings with key leaders from state and national conservation groups and businesses, state and federal agency personnel, other water user groups and elected decision-makers. 

• Coordinate with the TRCP’s Government Relations and Communications teams to effectively implement campaigns.  

• Maintain and grow relationships with private philanthropic foundations to ensure financial support for TRCP and its activities, including the tracking of grant deliverables and the development of grant proposals and reports. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• An undergraduate or higher degree with 5+ years of experience in Western water management and conservation issues, including previous campaign, agency and/or nonprofit experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Ideally in the Colorado River Basin.  

• Possess a strong understanding of the key principles of western state water law, the Colorado River Compact, and federal Bureau of Reclamation authorities and programs. 

• Experience working with angling, hunting, and conservation interests and a passion for the outdoors.   

• Experience working with funders and fundraising for conservation related work is preferred. 

• Experience coordinating coalitions and collaborating with diverse interests to accomplish shared goals. 

• Managerial experience leading teams.  

• Ability to work independently and coordinate multiple priorities within a diverse project and policy portfolio. 

• Willingness and ability to travel across the state/hold a valid Driver’s License. 

• Excellent communications, analytical, writing, and research skills. 

Preferred Requirements: 

• Strong existing relationships with state and federal agency decision makers, particularly within the Colorado River Basin, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and/or Bureau of Land Management. 

• A demonstrated record of effectively influencing conservation policy at federal and state levels related to Western water issues. 

• Strong existing relationships with relevant private philanthropic foundations.  

• Direct supervisory experience leading teams of 3+ staff.   

  Submission must include a cover letter to be considered.  

  The position is open until filled. No phone calls, please.  

  The TRCP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.