Natural Resources Specialist

Job Title: Natural Resources Specialist Department: Water & Natural Resources Reports To: Water & Natural Resources Director Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt Compensation Range: $65,000 to $75,000 Position Summary Lake County is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Natural Resource Specialist to support the stewardship and sustainable management of county-owned natural resources, including open space, forested lands, and water resources. This position will work under the supervision of the Water & Natural Resources Director and play a key role in planning, coordinating, and implementing resource management initiatives that align with the county’s social, economic, and environmental goals. About the Landscape: Approximately 75% of Lake County is public land managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The specialist will coordinate closely with public land agencies to support and complement their programs, ensuring county-led efforts are aligned and cooperative across jurisdictional boundaries. The role also includes aid in developing and implementing a county-wide sustainability program focused on reducing the environmental footprint of county operations and the broader community through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and other sustainability initiatives. Essential Functions Develop and implement natural resource management plans for county-owned open space, forested lands, and water resources. Lead the design and implementation of a county-wide sustainability program to reduce the environmental impact of Lake County’s internal operations. Assist the Water & Natural Resources Director with administrative, operational, and strategic tasks as needed. Collaborate with public land agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and others to support and coordinate overlapping initiatives, resource planning, and shared stewardship. Coordinate with other County departments including Public Works, Community Planning & Development, Parks and Recreation, and Tourism & Economic Development. Serve as a key liaison with local and regional organizations including the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative, Cloud City Wheelers, Central Colorado Conservancy, Lake County Conservation District, and others. Manage natural resource and sustainability projects, from planning and public engagement to execution, reporting, and evaluation. Conduct fieldwork, data collection, and site assessments to inform project design and monitor outcomes. Research and pursue grants, write proposals, and manage grant implementation and reporting. Assist with budget planning and tracking for natural resource and sustainability efforts. Promote public engagement and environmental education through outreach materials, workshops, and collaboration with local stakeholders. Field work managing water resource infrastructure and natural resource assets including hiking, clearing ditches and other structures, resource surveying and inventory management, trash pickup, and visitor management. Facilitate and support the Lake County Open Space Initiative (LCOSI) and any Regional Partnership Initiatives related to the work area. Assist with Friends of Lake County stewardship volunteer program. Support wildfire mitigation, habitat restoration, and sustainable land use practices on Lake County properties. Coordinate land acquisition and conservation and public access easement projects in collaboration with land trusts, state/federal agencies, and private landowners. Supervisory Responsibilities Not applicable. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Ecology, or a related field. 2–3 years of professional experience in natural resource management, sustainability, or related environmental work. Strong skills in project management, inter‑agency coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work in both field and office environments, including occasional evenings and weekends. Proficiency with GIS, data collection tools, and office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the county. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with public land agencies and understanding of federal land management frameworks. Familiarity with Colorado ecosystems, forest health, watershed management, and sustainable development principles. Experience with grant writing, sustainability metrics, and community outreach. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. Hazard Notice Not applicable. Physical Activity & Work Environment Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Prolonged periods of standing, walking or hiking. Frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, or climbing. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Occasionally pushing, pulling, or moving objects. Use of hands for repetitive motions such as typing, writing, or operating equipment. Operation of standard office equipment (computers, phones, copiers, etc.). Visual acuity to read and produce accurate documents and materials. Hearing ability sufficient to respond to spoken communication. Ability to operate motor vehicles and/or machinery. Standard office environment with controlled temperature and lighting. Exposure to varying outdoor weather conditions. Work in or near traffic, construction zones, or industrial equipment. Interaction with the public, sometimes in high‑pressure or emotionally charged situations. Occasional travel to offsite locations or satellite facilities. Work in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven, or high‑volume environment. May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or be on‑call. Applicant Notice Lake County Government posts all official employment opportunities on its careers page. Applicants may also find listings on external job boards. Please apply directly through the official website and do not share personal information outside the official application process. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request. Notice of Work Authorization Requirement Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. Employees will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management and will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors. Other Duties This job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. #J-18808-Ljbffr