SJMA Job Opportunities

San Juan Mountains Association is a rewarding place to work filled with people who care deeply about the lands that surround us. Our SJMA team works together with our dedicated volunteers and community to turn our collective passion for Southwest Colorado’s public lands into actions that help protect these beautiful, wild places. Join us!

Full-Time Job Openings

There is currently no full time jobs available.

Part-Time Job Openings

There is currently no part time jobs available.

Seasonal Job Openings

Norwood Visitor Information Services (VIS) Specialist

The Norwood Visitor Information Services (VIS) Specialist, based in the Uncompahgre National Forest, Norwood Ranger District Office, will provide top-notch visitor information services, sell forest products, promote SJMA merchandise sales and memberships, and manage outlet inventory and cash handling. 

LOCATION: Norwood Ranger District office, 1150 Forest Street in Norwood, CO

SEASON: The season is expected to last from May 13th to Oct 4th.

HOURS: This is a seasonal, part-time job for 24 hours/week; Wednesday – Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm. 

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter demonstrating their qualifications and interest in the position. The cover letter should succinctly describe the applicant’s goals, suitability for the position, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume. Deadline for Applications is April 1st. Candidates are encouraged to apply early as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Please send resume and  cover letter to jobs@sjma.org with the heading SJMA VIS Norwood Ranger District. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a background check.

SJMA Summer Camp Instructor, Seasonal

SJMA is hiring a lead instructor for its popular environmental education day camp. The camp instructor will work with the SJMA education team to deliver outdoor education programming at SJMA’s Nature Center and on public lands throughout Southwest Colorado. SJMA’s instructors have a passion for getting youth outdoors, cultivating a deep understanding of natural processes, and encouraging public lands stewardship

LOCATION: Durango, CO

HOURS: This is a temporary, seasonal position that ends no later than August 9th, 2023. Instructors must be available for all camp dates, plus a three-day staff training from May 28th-May 31st. Camp dates can be found at: Grade School Summer Camp 

To Apply: Those interested in the position are asked to submit a resume and letter of interest demonstrating their qualifications for the position to astimax@sjma.org. The cover letter should succinctly describe the applicant’s
interest and suitability for the position, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume.

Nature Center Visitor Information Specialist, Seasonal

SJMA’s Nature Center Visitor Information Services (VIS) Specialist will provide visitor information services and promote interpretive products on a part-time, seasonal basis, Friday – Sunday. This individual will provide top-notch visitor information services and support some educational programs in conjunction with SJMA staff that are to be held at the Nature Center.

LOCATION: Work will be performed primarily at SJMA’s Nature Center, located 15 miles south of Durango at the base of Bondad Hill, off 550, on County Road 310.

SEASON: Mid-May through Mid-September; may be extended based on funding and candidate interest/availability

HOURS: This is a seasonal, part-time job guaranteed at 15 hours/week at the Nature Center with work days on Friday – Sunday 9am to 2pm, from mid-May through mid-September. There may be an opportunity to work additional hours at the San Juan National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 15 Burnett Ct. in Durango

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter demonstrating their qualifications and interest in the position.  The cover letter should succinctly describe the applicant’s goals, suitability for the position, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume.  Deadline for applications is April 1st. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. 

Please send resume, references, and a cover letter to jobs@sjma.org with the heading VIS Nature Center. 

VIS/Alpine Loop Ambassador, Seasonal

San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is hiring two public lands ambassadors to work in partnership with the BLM educating Alpine Loop visitors to stay on trail, utilize “Leave No Trace” practices, track user numbers, and monitor tundra conditions while also assisting BLM personnel with other duties as needed. These individuals will also spend time working side by side with BLM officials as a Visitor Information Specialist in the Silverton Field  office providing visitor information services, answering phones, selling SJMA and BLM products, promoting interpretive products, helping provide educational and stewardship programming, and performing other miscellaneous front desk duties for the BLM.

LOCATION:

  • 2 days (20 hours) in the Silverton BLM office located on Greene St. Silverton, CO
  • 2 days (20 hours) in the field on BLM managed land and the Alpine Loop.

SEASON: Mid-May through Mid-September; may be extended based on funding and candidate interest/availability

HOURS: This is a seasonal, non-exempt position offered at full-time (40 Hours/week). Four-days on, three-days off work schedule, with individuals working 10-hour days, including weekends (Thursdays – Sundays) and holidays. During that time, overnight travel and camping may be required.

To Apply: Submit a resume, letter of interest demonstrating qualifications for and interest in the position, and three professional references. The cover letter should succinctly describe the applicant’s goals, suitability for the position, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume. Deadline for applications is March 1st. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Please send resume, references, and a cover letter to jobs@sjma.org with the heading VIS/Alpine Ambassador Application by March 1, 2024.

Wilderness Stewardship Crew Leader, Seasonal

Do you love backpacking and excel in managing a team on projects in the backcountry? The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) Wilderness Stewardship Crew, in partnership with the US Forest Service, operates as a team in rugged, remote, and beautiful backcountry wilderness areas in Southwest Colorado. This position entails leading and managing a three person crew to complete a variety of projects in remote backcountry locations. The position requires backpacking long distances with tools and equipment to high elevation Wilderness areas. Projects include a mix of intensive trail clearing (log-out) with cross cut saws, public education and engagement, and protocol based monitoring of wilderness characteristics. The Crew Leader, under the direct supervision of the Stewardship Program Manager, is responsible for communication and coordination with SJMA and USFS staff to plan and implement projects, as well as ensuring the safety and productivity of the team.

LOCATION: SJMA is housed in the San Juan National Forest Headquarters in Durango, Colorado. This position will be primarily field based. Work is performed in  remote backcountry locations (i.e. Weminuche Wilderness) for multiple days at a time.

SEASON: Mid-May through mid-August with field season starting mid-June

HOURS: This is a seasonal full-time, 40 hours per week position (non-exempt) and will generally follow a four-days on, three-days off work schedule, with crews working 10-hour days, camping in backcountry areas. A limited number of eight-day hitches may be required to access remote project locations.

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter demonstrating qualifications for and interest in the position. The cover letter should succinctly describe the applicant’s goals, suitability for the position, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume. Deadline for applications is March 1st. We will review applications on a rolling basis so candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Please send resume and a cover letter to jobs@sjma.org with the heading Wilderness Crew Leader Application by March 1, 2024.

Wilderness Stewardship Crew Member, Seasonal

Do you love Wilderness, backpacking, and working in remote areas? The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) Wilderness Stewardship Crew operates under the supervision of a Crew Leader as a four-person team in rugged, remote, and beautiful backcountry Wilderness areas in Southwest Colorado. This position entails significant backpacking with tools and equipment to many high-elevation Wilderness areas in a variety of weather conditions. The crew performs Wilderness monitoring, makes public contacts, conducts trail maintenance, and prioritizes clearing trails of downed trees with cross cut saws. The Wilderness Stewardship Crew will conduct a variety of backcountry Wilderness projects under the supervision/guidance of a SJMA crew leader and in partnership with San Juan National Forest (SJNF) staff. Crew Members will receive a broad spectrum of relevant training and will end the season with a range of hands-on Wilderness stewardship experience.

LOCATION: SJMA is housed in the San Juan National Forest Headquarters in Durango, Colorado. This position will be primarily field based. Work is performed in  remote backcountry locations (i.e. Weminuche Wilderness) for multiple days at a time.

SEASON: Early-June through mid-August

HOURS: This is a seasonal full-time, 40 hours per week position (non-exempt) and will generally follow a four-days on, three-days off work schedule, with crews working 10-hour days, camping in backcountry areas. A limited number of eight-day hitches may be required to access remote project locations.

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter demonstrating qualifications for and interest in the position. The cover letter should succinctly describe the applicant’s goals, suitability for the position, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume. Deadline for applications is March 1st. We will review applications on a rolling basis so candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Please send resume and a cover letter to jobs@sjma.org with the heading Wilderness Stewardship Crew Application by March 1, 2024.

Internships

Education Intern

Join SJMA’s Education team to design and deliver high quality, standards based outdoor environmental education to Southwest Colorado. We work closely with our interns to create an experience which aligns with their post-internship goals, be that curriculum design, in the field teaching, program management, etc. This is a unique opportunity for applicants to help educate and inspire the next generation. The intern will conduct a variety of projects under the supervision of the Education Director and Curriculum Coordinator. To learn more about the education programs visit, sjma.org/learn.

This is a life-changing opportunity for the right applicant who will make an immediate impact on the youth in our community and build lifelong memories in some of Colorado’s most spectacular landscapes. 

To apply please send a resume and letter of interest to astimax@sjma.org. Internships occur in fall, spring, and summer semesters. Applications are due November 1st for spring internships and March 1st for summer and fall internships.