Colorado Policy Strategist Job Opening

American Whitewater is hiring a Policy Strategist for the Colorado Stewardship Program. The Colorado Policy Strategist role is a grant term limited position. The location of the position may vary within the state of Colorado, but in-person meetings along the front range are expected to be frequent. Work would be primarily done from a home office. The policy strategist reports to American Whitewater’s Southern Rockies Stewardship Director, and benefits from significant support and collaboration with AW staff, board members, and active regional volunteers.

Position Description: The Policy Strategist represents American Whitewater and the recreational community in developing core principles to inform water policy in the State of Colorado. The policy strategist will be expected to draft principles and collaborate with a group of regional recreational stakeholders to further refine these principles. This position also includes the organization of legislative training sessions for these stakeholders. This workload requires experience in Colorado water law, legislative engagement, review and comment on technical and legal documents, and significant collaboration with volunteers and partner organizations. Being a grant limited position, achievement of goals identified in funding requests and documentation of such achievements is necessary.

Responsibilities

- Identify and achieve outputs and outcomes of key funding agreements;

- Represent American Whitewater in high level policy matters at the state level in Colorado;

- Help shape state policy to ensure that river recreation is on the table in all relevant conservation and/or economic development debates;

- Draft a policy paper identifying six distinct opportunities for recreation to be a powerful voice in water policy decisions;

- Assist with the development of an effective volunteer legislative engagement team;

- Identify, solicit, and track funding opportunities to support regional work; potentially write grant proposals, presentations and reports.

 Qualifications

- Proven background with local and/or regional river conservation and policy work.  Special consideration given for expertise in water allocation, western water law, river protection laws and policies, fisheries, river ecology, hydrology, hydropower, and similar fields;

- Degree in natural resource management, law, policy, or other relevant field;

- Experience working with non-profit river groups, agencies, outdoor industry, and recreational groups. Knowledge of local rivers, issues, and key constituencies including paddlers and paddling clubs;

- Self-starter, able to identify processes and actions needed to meet funding outputs and outcomes;

- Proven ability to interact successfully with a broad range of people;

- Ability to travel for work and represent American Whitewater on some evenings and weekends;

- Excellent written and oral communications skills;

- Strong computer and internet skills; and

- Knowledge of regional watersheds and familiarity with regional whitewater recreation opportunities.

To Apply:

• Please provide the following:
  • A cover letter specific to your environmental policy skill set
  • A one page resume
  • Three references with contact information
  • All material needs to be submitted electronically to hattie@americanwhitewater.org  (no calls please)
• Deadline for submission is May 1, 2019 or until position is filled

American Whitewater values a collaborative, team oriented, work environment. Success is shared with all stakeholders; staff, volunteers, board members, canoe clubs, government agencies and other partners. If you thrive in partnership, information sharing and collaborative processes, AW can be a very rewarding work experience.