Land Use Coordinator

Careerwebsite; Grand Junction, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental plans

RETIREMENT: PERA plan options

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid holidays and leave

Flexible work schedule and remote-work

Job summary

Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeks a NW Region Land Use Coordinator to lead multi-disciplinary reviews and coordinate with multiple CPW areas on complex land use proposals. The role focuses on developing scientific approaches to advance CPW recommendations to protect wildlife resources during development.

The position collects field data, supports NEPA and land planning efforts, and works with various jurisdictions to ensure compliance and effective mitigation across projects.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of relevant experience reviewing and commenting on land use development proposals, including county/local municipalities, state agency projects, and federal land planning initiatives.
• Experience with NEPA reviews, wildlife management activities, oil & gas permitting, and federal land planning amendments is preferred.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple CPW regions and stakeholders across jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Review, coordinate, and comment on large-scale land development and planning proposals.
• Develop recommendations to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse wildlife impacts.
• Collect and verify field data to support compliance with program and regulatory standards.
• Prepare materials for land use planning processes and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Skills

Written & verbal communication

Project management

Organization & time management

Interpersonal skills

Geospatial mapping software

Job description

Description: This position exists to function as CPW’s NW Region Land Use Coordinator, a multi-disciplinary, fully-operational professional with little to no day-to-day supervision. Position serves as one of the region’s expert staff leads for reviewing, coordinating, and commenting on large-scale, complex, and often controversial land development and planning proposals involving numerous stakeholders and multiple jurisdictions. The position devises, collects, evaluates, formulates scientific theories and processes to advance CPW recommendations to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts to wildlife resources resulting from development activities. The position collects and verifies field data and other information necessary to comply with program and regulatory standards and requirements for wildlife conservation. While the general program or system exists, the application must be individualized for each project or situation. Examples include, but are not limited to: coordinating with multiple CPW areas to develop recommendations for USFS Forest Plan and BLM Resource Management Plan revisions; large-scale (multi-CPW area) Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments; and landscape-scale developments such as ski areas, regional recreation trail systems, oil & gas developments, renewable energy projects, transmission lines, timber sales, water developments, grazing allotment permit renewals, commercial and residential developments, mines & gravel pits, railroads, highways and wildlife transportation projects.

Salary Range & Benefits: $75,888.00 - $98,640.00 Annually (typically filled at lower end of range)

• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options (depending on candidate)
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Deadline to Apply: October 7, 2026

Minimum Qualifications:
Seven (7) years of relevant experience reviewing and commenting on land use development proposals, including but not limited to, county and local municipalities, state agency projects, and federal land management agency projects including NEPA experience; biological experience including field work, research, and wildlife management activities; oil and gas permitting and consulting experience; and federal land planning experience including preparing and/or reviewing materials associated with Resource Management Plan Amendments, Forest Plan Amendments, and Travel Management Planning efforts., or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.

OR

A combination of education in natural resources, wildlife management, biology, aquatic biology/fishery science/aquaculture/fishery management, ecology, environmental science, environmental policy, geography, zoology/animal sciences, water resources planning or management and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years.

Required Competencies:

• Written and oral communication skills
• Project management skills
• Organization and time management skills
• Interpersonal skills and accountability
• Technical proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Products, and geospatial mapping software

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position
• Strong technical writing skills
• Experience providing oral presentations and representing a team during stakeholder meetings
• Ability to prioritize and complete tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to complete tasks within identified deadlines
• Biological knowledge of wildlife species and ecosystems present within the work area
• Ability to function within a team setting to promote collaboration and facilitate success