SJMA Job Opportunities

As visitation to our public lands continues to grow, SJMA is seeking a dedicated and dynamic individual to strengthen partnerships, expand our outreach efforts, and manage both educational and stewardship initiatives in the northern San Juan Mountain region. The North Side Program Coordinator will play a key role in advancing SJMA’s mission by engaging the public through education, volunteerism, and stewardship. This position plays a pivotal role in developing and managing partnerships with local organizations, recruiting and training volunteers, and implementing outreach programs that promote responsible recreation and sustainable stewardship. A significant focus of this role will be to catalyze a deeper understanding of local ecosystems, outdoor ethics, and the importance of public land conservation with the general public. The North Side Program Coordinator will also assist with school programs and interpretive events, ensuring that both visitors and residents have meaningful learning experiences in the outdoors. Additionally, this position will support SJMA’s stewardship efforts, collaborate with land management agencies, and support Top of the Pines.

Location: This position is remote. Candidates must reside in the northern San Juan Mountain region, with preference given to those living between Silverton and Ridgway. This position requires the ability to travel.

Hours: This is a full-time, permanent position.  While the typical work week can be flexible, it will include weekends and some evening hours. Hours are typically  9:00 am to 5:00pm.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample in one PDF document. 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. Please send the application package to jobs@sjma.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but review of packets will begin March 16 so candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Do you love wilderness, backpacking, and camping in the mountains? San Juan Mountains Association Wilderness Stewardship Crew Members operate under the supervision of a Crew Leader as a 4 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, clears trails of downed trees with crosscut saws. 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 Public Lands Center In Durango, Colorado, and these positions will be primarily field based. Work is performed in remote backcountry locations (i.e. Weminuche Wilderness) for multiple days at a time. 

HOURS and SEASON: Seasonal, full time, 40 hour per week position (non- exempt, full-time). SJMA’s field season runs from early June – mid August and will generally follow a four-day on, three-day off work schedule, with crew working 10 hour days. A limited number of eight- day hitches may be required to access remote project locations. 

To Apply: Email a cover letter and resume in one pdf file with title “Crew Member Application” to jobs@sjma.org by  April 5, 2025. Offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a background check and drug test, if applicable to the position.

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

Hours: This is a seasonal, non-exempt position offered at full-time (40 Hours/week). SJMA’s Ambassador season runs from mid May through mid-September and will generally follow a four-days on, three-days off work schedule, with individuals working 10-hour days, including weekends (example: Thurs – Sun) and holidays. During that time, overnight travel and camping may be required. The season may be extended based on funding and candidate interest/availability.

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. Please send resume and  cover letter to jobs@sjma.org with the heading VIS/Alpine Ambassador Application. Deadline for Applications is March 15th. 

SJMA is looking for three lead instructors for our popular week-long summer camps. The successful candidate will be one of seven instructors responsible for a group of 35 kids, ages 6-17. SJMA’s instructors have a passion for getting youth outdoors, cultivating a deep understanding of natural processes, and encouraging public lands stewardship.

Location: The camp instructor 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.

Hours: This is a temporary, seasonal position that ends no later than August 8th, 2025. Instructors must be available
for all camp dates, plus a three-day staff training from May 27th-May 30th.

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 interest and suitability for the position, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume.

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.