American Whitewater Announces New Fellowship Position - Colorado
Gunnison, Colorado - American Whitewater is pleased to announce a new one-year fellowship position within our Colorado River Stewardship Program. The part-time fellowship is a key addition to our ongoing strategic efforts to define recreational flow-needs across the Colorado River basin, and to grow our network of grassroots activists engaged in advancing river management policies at the state and federal levels. American Whitewater is now accepting applications for this one-year position, which will play a lead role in organizing local whitewater interests in the Gunnison River watershed, and to assist with a watershed-wide assessment of how changes in streamflows impact whitewater paddling on rivers from Crested Butte to Grand Junction, Colorado.
The Gunnison River Stewardship Assistant will work with American Whitewater and our Stewardship Team on project-related analysis and research, as well as communicating and advocating for our work to resource agencies, funders, elected officials, and other stakeholders. This person will be expected to gather, synthesize and effectively develop outreach materials for public review, and to coordinate the open exchange of information between stakeholders groups and at regional whitewater events. The Gunnison River Stewardship Assistant will report directly to American Whitewater’s Colorado River Program Director.
The Gunnison River Stewardship Assistant will begin as a half-time position with an initial term of 12 months. Possibility of additional hours-per-week and extensions are possible, based on funding. Pay is hourly and based on experience. Location is flexible, within the Gunnison River Watershed of Colorado.
Position Requirements
Specific requirements include:
- Passion for healthy rivers and their responsible enjoyment.
- Enthusiastic, with ability to work both independently and in a coalition setting.
- Ability to work from home - Office space is not provided.
- Knowledge of or ability to quickly understand the shared goals of environmental and recreational interests on the Gunnison River basin.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to collect and analyze policy and science information from a variety of sources.
- Ability to build strong working relationships with local river users, landowners, municipal groups, and irrigators.
- Ability to work with state and federal agencies, including Bureaus of Reclamation and Land Management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and US Forest Service.
- Local knowledge of the political landscape in the region and willingness to build relationships with local political leaders at county, state and federal levels of government.
- Familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and photo editing.
- Ability to travel to strategically important events and meetings.
- Willingness to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in science, policy, law, natural resource management, or related field, preferred.
- Familiarity with Mac OS, network file sharing, and Google applications a plus. A Computer is provided.
Roles and Responsibilities
Coordinate basin-wide assessment of flows and recreation quality.
The Gunnison River Stewardship Assistant will work with lead staff from American Whitewater and our contractors to conduct a science-based study that defines streamflows needed to sustain continued recreational enjoyment of the region’s rivers and streams. This includes coordinating broad participation in flow-assessments by engaging both commercial outfitters and the general paddling public, and conducting outreach at river-based events. Responsibilities include:
- Working with AW membership and local volunteers to establish a new affiliate networks, and improve information exchange across the basin.
- Collecting and leveraging science-based data on Gunnison River flow needs.
- Participate in stewardship activities including Gunnison River Festival, club events, and others as needed
Coordinate greater public input on issues and opportunities shared by environmental and recreational interests.
The Gunnison River Stewardship Assistant will be responsible for improving public understanding of Dam and reservoir operations and effects on recreational and environmental values in the Gunnison River. This position will help indentify specific tactics that can be implemented by AW members and partner organizations to protect and improve river-based recreational values. Responsibilities include:
- Building a common understanding of the issues being addressed by American Whitewater in the Gunnison basin,
- Developing and facilitating a forum for collaboration between individuals and organizations interested in improving the environmental health and recreation experience in the Gunnison.
- Actively creating opportunities for on-going discussions among paddlers and interest groups.
How to apply: Applications must be submitted prior to November 1st,
2012.
To apply, email a resume and cover letter to Nathan Fey, Colorado River Program Director
(nathan@americanwhitewater.org).
No Phone Calls Please
Selected candidates may be asked to complete an additional sample analysis and writing project,
and/or may be invited to participate in a phone or in-person interview.
Nathan Fey
1601 Longs Peak Ave.
Longmont, CO 80501