SJMA Job Opportunities

SJMA is seeking a full-time Visitor Information Services Coordinator to work closely with the U.S. Forest Service’s Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF). The Visitor Information Services (VIS) Coordinator works closely with the RGNF to provide visitor information services, coordinate educational and interpretive programs, oversee retail operations, manage the Adopt-a-Road program, and conduct community outreach with a special emphasis on public education related to the Nelson Tunnel Superfund Site.

Visitor information services include answering phone calls from the public and providing in-person information while performing other miscellaneous front desk duties. This individual will provide top-notch visitor information services, interpretive products, promote SJMA merchandise sales, and manage outlet inventory and cash handling. The VIS Coordinator position is a key bridge between the Forest Service and local communities, helping to foster public understanding of both recreational opportunities and land stewardship efforts.

HOURS: Full-time, hourly (40 hours/week)

LOCATION: This position will split time between the Divide Ranger District office in Creede during the summer and the Divide Ranger District office in Del Norte in the off-season.  Travel within the district and surrounding communities is expected; government vehicles may be available for official use. 

To apply please submit one PDF document containing your resume and letter of interest which briefly describes your goals, qualifications, and interest in the position. Send file to jobs@sjma.org.

The Durango Nature Center Caretaker will orient visitors to the Nature Center, providing visitors with the information needed to have a high quality experience at the Center. The Caretaker role includes some amount of facilities and trails maintenance, retail operations, educational event support,  and volunteer management. The Durango Nature Center is open to the public seasonally, early May through early October. There will be training prior to the annual opening of the Center and time for seasonal facilities shut down after the Center closes.

SEASON: Week of April 20th – Mid-October

HOURS: Part time, 20hrs/week, typically Friday through Sunday

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.

To apply please submit one PDF document containing your resume and letter of interest which briefly describes your goals, qualifications, and interest in the position. Send file to jobs@sjma.org by 5:00 PM, March 29, 2026.

Do you love backpacking and excel in managing a team on projects in the backcountry? The SJMA Wilderness Stewardship Crew, in partnership with the SJNF, 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 Director, is responsible for communicating and coordinating with SJMA and SJNF staff to plan and implement projects, as well as ensuring the safety and productivity of the team.

SEASON: Mid-May through early September

HOURS: Full-time, hourly (40 hours/week)

LOCATION: This is a field position and work will be remote and taking place on the San Juan National Forest. The office location is the SJMA’s headquarters, at the SJNF Supervisors Office, in Durango Colorado.

To apply please submit one PDF document containing your resume and letter of interest which briefly describes your goals, qualifications, and interest in the position. Send file to jobs@sjma.org by March 17, 2026.

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.

SEASON: Mid-May through early September

HOURS: Full-time, hourly (40 hours/week)

LOCATION: This is a field position and work will be remote and taking place on the San Juan National Forest. The office location is the SJMA’s headquarters , at the SJNF Supervisors Office, in Durango Colorado.

To apply please submit one PDF document containing your resume and letter of interest which briefly describes your goals, qualifications, and interest in the position. Send file to jobs@sjma.org by March 17, 2026.

SJMA is seeking a full-time seasonal OHV trail crew member to work directly with the Columbine Ranger District trail crew. The OHV trail crew will help maintain nearly 150+ miles of trails in the Columbine Ranger District. Projects will take place on OHV trails, routes and infrastructure across the landscape, generally in mountain and foothill areas ranging from 6,500 ft to 13,000 ft in elevation. This position will be embedded with the USFS, Columbine District Recreation Program.

SEASAON: Early May through mid to late October

HOURS: Full-time, hourly (40 hours/week)

LOCATION: This position will be primarily based out of the Columbine Ranger District Office in Bayfield, CO. This is a field position and work will be remote locations within the San Juan National Forest.

To apply please submit one PDF document containing your resume and letter of interest which briefly describes your goals, qualifications, and interest in the position. Send file to jobs@sjma.org by March 17, 2026.

SJMA is hiring five (5) summer educators for its popular environmental education day camp. This is a unique opportunity for the right individual to participate in a top-notch conservation education program that engages youth and the community to learn about public lands and our local environment while having fun at camp.

The summer educator will teach the curriculum already developed by SJMA’s staff. The successful candidate will be one of seven (7) instructors responsible for a group of (up to) 35 kids, ages 6-17. The summer educator will work with the SJMA education team to deliver outdoor education programming at SJMA’s Durango Nature Center and on public lands throughout Southwest Colorado. There is a specific theme for each camp and different campers each week. SJMA’s instructors have a passion for getting youth outdoors, cultivating a deep understanding of natural processes, and encouraging public lands stewardship.

SEASAON: Late May through no later than August 7th

HOURS: Expected schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, with occasional longer days depending on program needs.

LOCATION: The position is based out of SJMA’s office within the San Juan National Forest Headquarters in Durango, Colorado. This position will also require regular daytime travel in SJMA-provided vehicles throughout La Plata and Montezuma Counties, the San Juan National Forest, and occasionally overnight travel to farther areas such as Montrose.

To apply please submit one PDF document containing your resume and letter of interest succinctly describing the applicant’s interest and suitability for the position, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume. Send file to jobs@sjma.org.

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.