SJMA Job Opportunities

The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) seeks to hire a full-time Education Specialist to develop and implement educational programs for SJMA’s conservation education program. 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.

This position will collaborate with the SJMA education team to foster deep nature connection through the development and execution of standards-based, place-based, and hands-on outdoor education programming to be delivered at SJMA’s Nature Center and on public lands throughout the Southwest Colorado region. The Curriculum Coordinator will have a demonstrated commitment to getting youth outdoors, cultivating a rigorous understanding of natural processes, and encouraging public lands stewardship. The primary age group this position will work with is elementary aged students, however our program participants may include all ages. This position will work under the supervision of SJMA’s Education Director and will collaborate with community partners, school districts, land management agencies, and other SJMA staff.

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 throughout La Plata and Montezuma Counties, the San Juan National Forest, and occasionally overnight travel to farther areas such as Montrose.

Hours: The position is classified as “Regular Full-Time.” Hours scheduled will be forty (40) hours per week with occasional nights and weekends.

To apply,  submit one PDF document containing a resume, letter of interest demonstrating their qualifications for the position, and professional references. 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. Please send to jobs@sjma.org.

There are currently no part-time positions available.

Do you love backpacking and excel in managing a team on projects in the backcountry? The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) Wilderness Stewardship Crew operates as a team in rugged, remote, and beautiful backcountry wilderness areas in Southwest Colorado. The Wilderness Stewardship Crew is made possible through partnership with the Rio Grande National Forest. This position entails leading and managing a 3 person crew to complete a variety of projects requiring 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, but this position will be primarily field based. Work is performed in remote backcountry locations (i.e. Weminuche Wilderness) for multiple days at a time.

Hours: This is a seasonal full time, 40 hours per week position (non- exempt, full-time), for 14 weeks from mid May to late August. The Crew Leader will start in early May to assist with a 2 week field crew training. Following training, SJMA’s field season runs from early June – mid August 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, email a cover letter and resume in one pdf file with title ”Crew Leader Application” to jobs@sjma.org by April 1, 2023.

Project locations: Rio Grande National Forest wilderness

Season: Mid-May – September

Hours: This is a seasonal, full time, 40 hour per week position (non- exempt, full-time). SJMA’s field season 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 1, 2023.

Do you love working outdoors and interacting with the public? The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is recruiting a cadre of Forest Ambassadors to work at trailheads and on trails within the San Juan National Forest, Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management Silverton Field Office. The Forest Ambassador program is made possible through partnership between SJMA, area National Forests, BLM, the Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative, and the Southwest Colorado Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. SJMA Forest Ambassadors rotate throughout recreation hotspots and are responsible for making public education contacts, conducting light trail maintenance, monitoring/collecting recreation and wilderness impact data, and working with volunteers. Forest Ambassadors conduct a variety of projects under the supervision of the Stewardship Program Manager. Forest Ambassadors often work independently or with volunteers, and may be split into teams of 2-4 as necessary to conduct a variety of stewardship activities.

Field Office: Durango, CO

Project locations: San Juan, Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, and the Bureau of Land Management Silverton Field Office

Season: Mid May – Mid September

Hours: This is a seasonal, non-exempt position offered either full-time (40 Hours/week), or part-time (20-30 hours/week). Season will generally follow a four-days on, three-days off work schedule, with crews working 10-hour days, typically over weekends (i.e Fri-Mon or Thu- Sun). During that time, overnight travel and camping may be required. A select number of these positions may be extended based on funding and candidate interest/availability.

To apply, email a cover letter and resume in one pdf file with title ”Forest Ambassador Application” to jobs@sjma.org by April 1, 2023.

The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is seeking two Rio Grande Seasonal Visitor Information Specialists (VIS) to provide excellent customer service and top-notch visitor information on behalf of the Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF). The specialist will provide visitor information services, sell forest products, promote interpretive product sales and perform other miscellaneous front desk duties for the U.S. Forest Service, Divide District in Del Norte and Creede, Colorado.

Location: The position will be based out of the RGNF office in Del Norte and/or Creede, Colorado. Please express your preference of location in your application. Depending on selectee interest, there may be the possibility to rotate SJMA VIS between the two offices.

Full-time position: Starting May 2023 for approximately 90 working days from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, 5 days a week with 2 consecutive days off. 40 hours/week

Those interested in the position are asked to submit a resume, letter of interest demonstrating their qualifications for the position, and three professional references. Please send resumes and cover letters to riooperations@sjma.org.

The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is seeking one (1) Rio Grande Seasonal Recreation Technician to provide excellent customer service and top-notch forest recreation maintenance on behalf of the Rio Grande National Forest.

Location: The position will be based out of the Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) Saguache Ranger District and will be 100% in person or in the field.

Full-time position: Starting as early as May 8 through November 2023; 8:00am – 4:30 pm, 5 days a week with 2 consecutive days off. 40hr/wk

Those interested in the position are asked to submit a resume, letter of interest demonstrating their qualifications for the position, and professional references. Please send resumes and cover letters to riooperations@sjma.org.

San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is hiring a lead instructor for its popular environmental education day camp. This position will teach curriculum already developed by SJMA’s staff. The successful candidate will be one of 4 instructors responsible for a group of 26 kids, ages 6-17. 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. 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. For more information on the camp, visit sjma.org/summercamps

Hours: This is a temporary, seasonal position that ends no later than August 11th, 2023. Instructors must be available for all camp dates, plus a three-day staff training from May 31- June 2.

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.

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.