Conservation Transactions Coordinator

About Us

At the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT), we're a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to serving agricultural landowners and conserving Colorado's working landscapes. These lands are more than beautiful places. They're family-run businesses, sources of food and fiber, vital wildlife habitat, and an essential part of Colorado's heritage.

Since 1995, we've partnered with landowners to conserve more than 850,000 acres of farmland, ranchland, open space, and wildlife habitat through voluntary conservation easements. Our work is rooted in serving the families, producers, and communities who make Colorado agriculture possible.

Two Opportunities to Join Our Conservation Team

CCALT is hiring a Conservation Transactions Coordinator and a Conservation Transactions Manager. Both roles help agricultural landowners conserve their properties, but they differ in their level of responsibility.

The Coordinator supports conservation easement projects, learns the transaction process, and takes ownership of assigned work. It's a great opportunity for someone looking to build a career in conservation, even without previous experience in the field.

The Manager independently leads conservation easement projects from development through closing and takes on more complex stewardship responsibilities. We're looking for someone with experience working with conservation easements or real estate transactions who is comfortable with legal language and familiar with the due diligence involved in these projects.

How You'll Make an Impact

As a Conservation Transactions Coordinator, you'll work alongside CCALT's Staff Attorney and Conservation Transactions Managers to help agricultural landowners conserve their properties.

You'll gain hands-on experience throughout the conservation easement process, from property visits and landowner communications to due diligence, project closings, and annual monitoring. You'll take responsibility for assigned work while learning from experienced colleagues and helping protect Colorado's working lands.

What You'll Do

You'll help keep conservation easement projects organized and moving forward, working closely with landowners, project partners, and CCALT staff. Approximately 90% of the role will focus on conservation transactions and 10% on stewardship.

(1) Support Conservation Easement Transactions

• Support Conservation Transactions Managers and the Staff Attorney in moving conservation easement projects forward.
• Participate in property site visits and assist with landowner communications and project development.
• Draft project memos, board materials, and other transaction documents.
• Assist with preparing and reviewing conservation easement deeds and related documents.
• Help coordinate due diligence with outside contractors, including appraisals, surveys, baseline inventory reports, and mineral assessments.
• Assist with reviewing title commitments, ownership documents, legal descriptions, and other due diligence materials.
• Assist with researching and documenting water rights associated with conservation easement projects, as applicable.
• Prepare baseline inventory reports, including fieldwork and report development.
• Create property and project maps using ArcGIS Pro.
• Support grant applications, funding requests, and related reporting requirements.
• Assist with coordinating project closings and post-closing follow-up.
• Maintain accurate and organized project records in accordance with CCALT's policies and procedures.

(2) Support Conservation Stewardship

• Manage assigned annual conservation easement monitoring responsibilities.
• Conduct property visits, landowner interviews, and inspections.
• Update property records and prepare monitoring reports.
• Coordinate with CCALT's Stewardship team as needed.

(3) Organizational Support

• Participate in stakeholder meetings and conservation-related activities as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and strengthen CCALT's conservation work.
• Assist with other organizational projects and priorities as needed
• Support regional events, fundraising activities, and other organizational initiatives.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is excited about conservation, eager to learn, and motivated to make a difference. You don't need previous conservation experience to be successful in this role. We're interested in people with strong foundational skills, a willingness to work hard, and the potential to grow.

We're looking for someone who:
• Is organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage assigned tasks and deadlines.
• Takes initiative, asks thoughtful questions, and follows through on commitments.
• Communicates clearly and enjoys working with people from different backgrounds.
• Is comfortable learning to work with detailed documents, information, and technology.
• Works independently on assigned responsibilities while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Brings curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn new skills.
• Can adapt when priorities shift, stay positive when things get busy, and pitch in where needed.
• Respects Colorado agriculture, rural communities, and the landowners we serve.
We prioritize developing talent from within. We see this position as an opportunity to build the knowledge and experience needed to grow into a more senior role over time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines, maintain accurate records, and produce high-quality work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and willingness to learn new software and technology.
• Experience with GIS, ArcGIS Pro, Salesforce, or similar systems is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with agriculture, conservation, real estate, or natural resources is beneficial but not required.
• Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, and collaborate effectively with others.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout Colorado, including overnight and multi-day trips.
• Must be able to pass a standard background check and have a valid driver's license.

Why Join CCALT?

At CCALT, we're passionate about conserving Colorado's working lands and serving the agricultural families who care for them. We work hard because we believe deeply in our mission, take pride in what we accomplish, and know that the work we do makes a lasting difference.

Some days feel a little like a rodeo. Priorities shift, unexpected challenges come up, and plans don't always go as expected. We work hard, adapt, and pitch in to help each other get things done. But we also genuinely enjoy what we do and the people we work with. We're looking for someone who can roll with the unexpected, keep a sense of humor, and be part of a team that works hard and has fun along the way.

We're committed to investing in our team. You'll learn from experienced colleagues, take on meaningful responsibilities, and develop skills that can help you grow your career in conservation.

You'll also visit farms and ranches across Colorado, meet the families we serve, and see firsthand the landscapes you're helping conserve. It's challenging, rewarding work with a team that cares about doing it well.

Position Details

• Title: Conservation Transactions Coordinator
• Employment Status: Full-time
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt
• Reports to: Staff Attorney
• Location: CCALT's Lakewood office is the preferred location (hybrid).
  • Qualified candidates based near our Steamboat Springs or Carbondale offices will also be considered on a case-by-case basis, with hybrid work arrangements available at all three locations.
• Anticipated Start Date: Monday, January 11, 2027
• Annual Salary: Range: $60,000-$65,000 (based on demonstrated experience and relevant skills)

Benefits

• Flexible work schedule with a hybrid work environment.
• Medical and accident insurance with 100% of the employee-only premium paid by CCALT.
• Dental insurance with 40% of the employee premium paid by CCALT.
• Vision insurance available, with 100% of the premium paid by the employee.
• 403(b) retirement plan eligibility upon hire, with employer matching currently up to 4% after one year of service.
• Three weeks (15 days) of paid vacation during the first year, increasing with tenure to a maximum of five weeks (25 days).
• Up to ten (10) paid sick days annually.
• Sixteen (16) paid holidays annually, including week-long office closures around the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving holidays.

How to Apply

If you're passionate about Colorado's working lands and excited about building a career in conservation, we'd love to hear from you.

We recognize that strong candidates bring a range of experiences. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every listed qualification, we encourage you to apply.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume through CCALT's job posting link by Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

Working Conditions & Travel

This position follows a hybrid work schedule, with CCALT's Lakewood office as the preferred location. Candidates based near CCALT's Steamboat Springs or Carbondale offices may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Regular travel throughout Colorado is required for property visits, conservation monitoring, landowner meetings, and other activities, including overnight and multi-day trips. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CCALT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are evaluated for the positions they apply for without discrimination based on gender identity or expression, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, or other characteristics protected by law.

CCALT will provide accommodation for individuals with disabilities during the interview process. For assistance, please call (303)-225-8677 or email Haden Cunningham at [email protected].