Utah Public Lands Manager

Who we are:

Since 1985, the Grand Canyon Trust has been a leading voice in regional conservation on the Colorado Plateau. From protecting the Grand Canyon from continued threats, to helping establish and protect national monuments in southern Utah, the Trust works tirelessly to protect the Colorado Plateau’s remarkable landscapes, while respecting the rights of its Native peoples. We are a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to ensuring the region’s public lands, native species, communities, and cultures thrive.

About the Position:

The Utah public lands manager, alongside the director and other manager, will contribute to strategic work to protect and restore public lands and cultural landscapes in southern Utah (and sometimes beyond). The scope of work in this position is related to grazing, forest management, recreation, and national monuments. The manager will coordinate with the program director to autonomously manage a section of the Utah Public Lands Program work related to the Trust’s strategic goals (described in more detail below). We are seeking a candidate with the ability to integrate traditional knowledge and science, and to leverage this approach in pursuit of conservation-oriented public-lands management informed by Indigenous values.

Duties and responsibilities

Advocacy (70 percent)

• Advocate for improved management of public lands through the integration of traditional knowledge and science. More specifically:
  • Advocate for public lands grazing reform by documenting impacts to culturally important sites and landscapes, including remnants of human-fashioned materials as well as plant communities, wildlife habitat, and waters.
  • Contribute to the program’s response to federal agency vegetation removal projects with the potential to impact cultural sites.
  • Lead the Trust’s work on recreation issues that have potential impacts to cultural sites and landscapes.
• Work with a variety of stakeholders in pursuit of the Trust’s goals.
• Contribute to, and sometimes lead, the Trust’s engagement in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes.
• Represent the Trust as a consulting party in the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) process for proposed projects on public lands.
• Work with the Trust’s staff across programs to explore opportunities to expand public-lands protections and collaborative-management opportunities between tribes and federal land managers.

Organizing (15 percent)

• Work with Trust staff across programs to engage with tribal natural and cultural specialists around actions on federal lands of mutual interest and concern.

Cross-program support (10 percent)

• Collaborate with the Volunteer Program to plan and run volunteer trips.
• Provide communications content and ideas for the Advocate magazine, board of trustees updates, blog, website, and media.
• Provide support to the development team as appropriate, including meeting with donors.

Administrative (5 percent)

• Serve on various committees, as appropriate.
• Attend staff meetings, board meetings, staff retreats, and organizational trainings.

Desired qualifications

• Passion for the natural world and for advocating on behalf of the Colorado Plateau’s ecological and cultural integrity.
• Experience or strong interest in integrating traditional knowledge and science.
• Holistic view of the land and its proper management, which sees all aspects of the land as interconnected and important, and the ability to effectively communicate and advocate for that view.
• Significant advocacy experience (need not be in conservation).
• Significant experience and expertise in assessing impacts to cultural sites from various land uses.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strong relationships with a wide array of communities and individuals.
• Ability to creatively find solutions that address problematic public-lands management and help to achieve the Trust’s long-term goals.
• Familiarity with the NEPA process and/or a willingness to learn.
• Familiarity with the impacts of grazing on public lands and/or a willingness to learn.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders and audiences, both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to actively listen and integrate feedback and new ideas into workflow.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, as part of a team.
• Attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously, work on demanding timelines, and meet due dates.
• Willingness to work some nights and weekends and to travel, including for multiple days and in remote areas.

The nitty-gritty

Location?

Moab, White Mesa, Towaoc, Kayenta, Hopi Villages, Page, Kaibab, Kanab, Escalante, or anywhere in between these areas.

Is this a full-time position?

Yes, 40 hours per week.

What’s the salary? 

$55,000 - $65,000 starting salary. The starting salary is negotiable, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary advances are discussed with the direct supervisor of the position on a yearly basis and based on clearly outlined criteria upon hire. The Trust provides individual health insurance, vacation, holiday and sick leave, disability, 401(k) retirement benefits, and professional development funds.

Who would my supervisor be? 

Utah Public Lands Director Mike Popejoy.

How do I apply?  Please complete the online application and submit a cover letter (2-page maximum) and resume. Your cover letter should detail how your skills,* experience, and interests fit and relate to the qualifications and role of the position.

*Please describe any transferable skills in your cover letter and clearly explain how they apply to this position. Transferable skills: any skills gained through education, work experience (including the military, Peace Corps, or other service work), or life experience that are relevant for this position.

Review of applications will begin on April 30, 2021 and will continue until the position has been filled. After initial application review we will reach out to selected candidates for a phone interview, which will be followed by a video interview for final candidates. No phone calls, please.

Anticipated start date:  June 7, 2021

The Grand Canyon Trust is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of our organization. We work actively to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of identity including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender, parental status, national origin, age, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We actively seek diversity in our candidate pools. Applicants of all identities are encouraged to apply.