Community Engagement and Resource Management Assistant

Community Engagement and Resource Management Assistant

Service Dates:
March 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026
Average Hours per Week: 40
Days/Hours of Service:
Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00, may vary to include weekends/evenings
Minimum # of Hours to Complete Term: 1300 hr term minimum (100 hr term March 1, 2026-March 31, 2026 + 900 hr term from April 1, 2026-Sept 30, 2026 + 300 hr term from October 1, 2026
- November 30, 2026)

Blue Elements Watershed Stewards are committed to increasing community resilience in the face of changing water conditions by supporting sustainable access to one of Colorado’s most valuable natural resources. Ameri Corps members will support organizations serving the water education and monitoring sectors in the Arkansas River Valley and beyond. Members may provide water education to youth and adults, complete watershed restoration projects, and support water quality monitoring projects.

Central Colorado Conservancy (Conservancy) is an accredited land trust and community-based conservation organization based in Salida, CO. Our mission is to protect the land, waters and quality of life of Central Colorado as our communities face pressure and rapid growth. Located in the upper Arkansas River watershed, the Conservancy is a tremendously impactful, successful and respected nonprofit within one of the state’s most vibrant agricultural, arts and recreational communities.

Since 2001, the Conservancy has protected roughly 7,000 acres of private land through conservation easements and acquisitions. The Conservancy also leads landscape‑scale collaborative partnerships to improve watershed health and implement stream management projects; delivers short‑term protection of working lands through agriculture conservation agreements; works with agricultural producers to keep working lands working; and serves in a leadership capacity in partnership with the Lake County Conservation District (LCCD).

We envision a future for Central Colorado that is supported by thriving communities that have safeguarded their rural character, lands, waters and wildlife for future generations. Learn more at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

The Ameri Corps intern will support the Conservancy’s work through communications, community and volunteer engagement and education, and resource management activities. The Conservancy’s 25th Anniversary takes place in 2026, and the intern will support a variety of events throughout the internship. The intern will create educational communications pieces such as blogs and news articles. In addition, the intern will support our Hands for Lands volunteer corps, specifically a series of volunteer work parties at local ranches in April.

Lastly, the intern will assist Conservancy staff and partners in the management of the Arkansas River Community Preserve, slated to open to public access in mid‑2026.

• Assist with the implementation of educational events including but not limited to helping with event advertising, volunteer recruitment, and event implementation.
• Assist with the outreach and planning of fundraising events.
• Develop a series of educational blogs and news articles about the Conservancy’s work.
• Assist with the implementation of Hands for Lands volunteer work parties clearing irrigation ditches on local ranches in April and other Hands for Lands work parties in summer and fall.
• Support the opening of the Arkansas River Community Preserve through community engagement, signage installation, etc.
• Assist with field monitoring activities to assess baseline conditions prior to the opening of the Arkansas River Community Preserve.
• Conduct regular site visits to the Arkansas River Community Preserve to collect visitor counts and document visitor use activities.

• First Aid/CPR
• Leave No Trace
• River Watch Water Quality Monitoring
• Experiential Education

• Undergraduate degree in the Natural Resources, Biology or Environmental Science Fields is preferred.
• Experience or strong interest in working with people in rural…