Land Access Coordinator

Montezuma Land Conservancy (MLC) seeks a motivated, creative, and passionate person to join our small team with a big vision. The Land Access Coordinator will lead the development of the newly established Community Land Partnership of the Southwest (CLPS), a subsidiary land-holding entity of MLC, alongside a community-based board of managers working to reduce barriers to land access and tenure faced by young and underrepresented agricultural producers through the implementation of creative land leasing and financial solutions at the nexus of local food systems, stewardship, and access.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities 

Land Access Project Development – 40% 

• Work with MLC staff, Community Land Partnership of the Southwest (CLPS) board of managers and project partners, and legal representatives to establish a governance structure and program that supports land access work. 
• Facilitate meetings with partners for development of the land access project.
• Lead land access program development including establishment of founding and guiding documents, lease agreements, financial plans, and related processes necessary to launch the program.
• Work with community partners critical to the success of the project including landowners, landseekers, land managers, nonprofit organizations, tribal organizations, and local/state/federal agencies.
• Establish pilot projects alongside partners, landowners, and land seekers. 

Community Outreach and Engagement – 20%

• Continue to support community engagement for the project with an emphasis on inclusivity and engagement of diverse voices including Indigenous and Latinx communities.
• Lead and support communications about the project to the public, including education, development of outreach events and materials, and project engagement.
• Act as the primary point of contact for landowners, land seekers, stakeholder partners, and community members for the project and in terms of their questions and input. 

Fundraising and Administration – 40% 

• Attend and support regularly scheduled meetings of the CLPS board of managers.
• Identify and apply for grants, cultivate relationships with donors, and pursue other relevant funding opportunities to support the overall project development, capacity building, and land acquisitions.
• Make and manage project budgets, track project progress, and handle all grant reporting requirements.
• Deliver regularly scheduled communications and outreach materials to MLC’s Deputy Director including social media content, newsletter articles, website content, and blog posts.
• Submit regular program reports to the MLC Board of Directors.
• Other tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications 

• College degree or commensurate professional experience with an emphasis in conservation/stewardship, environmental management, sustainable agriculture or similar field, or 2+ years of work experience in comparable field, as well as project management experience, with demonstrated critical thinking skills.
• Enthusiasm for land conservation, local food, regenerative agriculture, community organizing and the Southwest Colorado landscape.
• Previous career or lived experience working with diverse communities and tribal nations and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.  
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.  
• Proven track record in clear communication, both written and verbal.
• Comfort and experience presenting and communicating before audiences, both in person and online.
• Ability to communicate and respect individuals from various backgrounds who may have differing beliefs.  
• Measurable experience with grant writing and fundraising strategies.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite programs  

Skills and Desired Attributes 

• Creative thinker with a self-driven work ethic.
• Experience with non-profit management, working or reviewing legal documents such as access agreements, title policies, lease agreements, and management plans.  
• Basic knowledge of local food systems, dryland farming, ranching, and irrigation systems.  
• Willingness and/or experience working and living in a rural community. Ability to build and maintain key relationships.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Mapping, GIS, or similar technology skills 

Other Expectations and Duties 

• Attend regularly scheduled staff and CLPS board meetings.
• Special Events (as needed, some evening and weekend work required).
• Must be willing to relocate and/or live within commuting distance of Cortez, CO with some ability for partial remote work.
• Frequent travel around MLC’s service area of Southwest Colorado and the Four Corners.
• Extended travel 1-4 times per year for conferences and other professional development opportunities

Structure and Compensation 

• $55,000 – $60,000 starting salary, depending on experience.
• Flexible working schedule. Please note there will be some occasional weekend and evening hours required for events.  
• Professional development opportunities.
• MLC offers a competitive compensation package including health insurance, dental/vision coverage, 20 days of paid vacation to start, 10 days of paid sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, 10 organizational closure days and a winter break, professional development, and a Simple IRA with 3% matching retirement plan.