PUBLIC LANDS MANAGER

Georgetown, CO
Recreation
10/1/2026
405 Argentine Street: County Court House
132,900.00 Annual
89,800.00  Annual
Full Time Benefits Eligible (> 30 Hours Per Week)
Regular - 40 Hrs Week
JOB SUMMARY:
 

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Community Development Director, the Public Lands Manager provides strategic leadership, management, and policy direction for Clear Creek County's Public Lands Department, guiding the County's long-term vision for conservation, recreation, and stewardship of the County's public lands.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement comprehensive plans, policies, projects, and programs that align with the County's strategic goals, balancing natural and cultural resource protection, public access, and community benefit.
  • Ensure alignment between trail systems, trailhead and facility infrastructure, natural and cultural resource management, and recreational programs to deliver a cohesive, high-quality public lands system.
  • Direct administrative and supervisory work to conserve, maintain, and enhance the resources and assets of Clear Creek County Open Space and other public lands.
  • Direct and oversee implementation of department plans, projects, budgets, and operations.

ope of Supervision

Directly supervises assigned staff and provides functional and operational oversight of assigned programs, including Trails and Recreation, Open Space, Special Projects, and Water Resources.
BENEFITS
 
 

Benefits:

Clear Creek County offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include retirement benefits, medical, dental, and vision coverage; wellness programs; county-paid life and disability insurance; flexible spending and health savings account options; paid time off, sick leave, and holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources; telehealth services; and voluntary supplemental benefit offerings.

Benefit eligibility is based on position and scheduled hours; not all positions qualify for the full benefits package.

Sworn Sheriff's Office Positions Only: Enhanced retirement benefits through FPPA (Fire & Police Pension Association) are available.
PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES:
 
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Prepare and submit the Department's annual budget in coordination with the Division Director.
  
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Establish priorities and develop, implement, and coordinate strategic and operational work plans and policies related to public lands, in coordination with the Division Director.
  
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Develop and recommend policies, ordinances, and strategic initiatives to the County Manager and Board of County Commissioners related to public land conservation, recreation, and resource management.
  
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Evaluate emerging recreational and natural resource management trends, environmental considerations, and community needs to guide long-term decision-making related to public lands.
  
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Oversee development and implementation of system-wide standards, including trail design guidelines, trailhead and facility standards, and maintenance service levels. The development of guidelines and regulations of use.
  
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Identify, pursue, administer, and report on grants and other external funding opportunities supporting public lands, conservation, recreation, trails, natural resources, and related projects.
  
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Coordinate and represent the department's work with other internal divisions, the Open Space Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC).
  
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Serve as Staff Liaison to the Open Space Commission and support the Open Space Coordinator.
  
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Build and maintain relationships with external public land management stakeholders, including municipal, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit partners, and community groups.
  
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Facilitate public engagement and stakeholder communication on public lands policies, projects, recreational uses, closures, and resource-management decisions; respond professionally to competing interests and community concerns.
  
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Develop and provide presentations and recommendations to elected officials and community members on public lands initiatives, programs, and projects.
  
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Maintain a competent workforce by selecting personnel, setting performance standards, providing training, conducting evaluations, coaching, mentoring, and taking disciplinary action as needed.
  
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Determine resources necessary to implement strategic and operational priorities efficiently.
  
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Manage projects and oversee staff, vendors, contractors, and service providers.
  
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Develop standard operating procedures, routine schedules, and annual priority projects with staff.
  
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Oversee all functions of County trails, trailheads, recreational facilities, and associated infrastructure, including trail construction, maintenance, inspections, closures, signage, safety, accessibility, recreation conflicts, and multi-use trail management.
  
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Supervise the design, management, and implementation of recreation permit programs.
  
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Ensure effective project management, including coordination with staff, consultants, contractors, and partner agencies.
  
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Adhere to all county policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing the management of assigned areas.
  
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Identify and mitigate public safety and operational risks associated with County public lands, trails, facilities, events, and recreational activities.
  
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Work with the Open Space Commission and Open Space Coordinator on Open Space acquisitions
  
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Coordinate inspections, closures, warnings, incident reporting, and corrective actions with Risk Management, the Sheriff's Office, Fire/EMS, and other partners as needed.
  
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Perform field work and site evaluations.
  
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Perform other duties as assigned.
  
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
 
 
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION
 
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BS/BA in Natural Resource Management, Land Management, Environmental Science, Parks and Recreation, Forestry, Public Administration, Planning, or a related profession, and experience within the sphere of responsibility, or an equivalent combination of education and experience equal to both required education and experience.
  
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Minimum of five (5) years of related experience, with at least two (2) years of supervisory or leadership experience, preferably with some local government experience.
  
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Some combination of:
  • Demonstrated Natural Resource Management and/or Trails/Recreation Management experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders and public engagement experience.
  • Grant writing and administration experience.
  • Project management experience: Development of RFPs, consultant selections, managing contractors, maintaining project scopes and timelines, ensuring high-quality deliverables.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of how to prepare a budget and the skill to create a Division budget.
  • Experience working with or serving on Boards or Commissions.
  • Experience working with federal/state land-management agencies.
  
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
 
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Knowledge of public lands management, conservation practices, recreation planning, and environmental stewardship.
  
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Understanding of local government operations, public administration principles, and policy development.
  
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Must possess strong interpersonal, decision-making, and management skills, including the ability to effectively present to elected officials, stakeholders, and the public and the ability to build consensus and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
  
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Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, including the ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
  
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Ability to professionally represent the Department, County Manager, and the BoCC when interacting with staff, the public, and the news media.
  
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Ability to evaluate community dynamics, including intergovernmental relations, civic organizations, and special interest groups.
  
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Ability to communicate and listen effectively, using appropriate communication tools and techniques.
  
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Skilled in organization and time management
  
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Knowledge of professional managerial techniques, theories, principles, and practices in local government operations and public administration.
  
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Ability to accurately and effectively transmit and receive information that is necessary to the accomplishment of goals and objectives, including effective written and oral communication.
  
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Ability to keep customers, subordinates, peers, and supervisors informed.
  
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Knowledge of Colorado public lands regulations.
  
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Knowledge of Wildfire mitigation/forest health.
  
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Knowledge of basic real estate terms
  
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Intermediate GIS skills.
  
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Ability to perform fieldwork and site inspections.
  
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
 
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Must have a valid Colorado Motor Vehicle Driver's License
  
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Must pass a background check: Criminal and Traffic
  • Conviction of a crime will not be an absolute bar to employment
  
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Required legal authorization to work - United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States
  
SUPERVISORY:
 

Provide leadership, management, and supervision within the Public Lands Department.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
 
Work is primarily performed in an office environment but includes field work. Work includes walking, standing, sitting, bending, driving passenger vehicles, and keyboarding. Must be physically able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 30 pounds. Hearing voice conversation is essential to safe and effective job performance. Clear Vision at 20 inches or less and up to 20 feet or more; use of corrective eyewear is acceptable.
POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS SPECIFIC TO THIS POSITION
 
None

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.
EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT
 
Employees may be temporarily reassigned to perform emergency response or disaster recovery duties within their department or in other County departments during a County-declared emergency or disaster, as authorized under the Clear Creek County Employee Disaster Deployment Policy. Such assignments will align with operational needs and the employee's skills and may occur with limited notice. Deployment assignments require employee agreement, and employees will continue to receive their regular compensation in accordance with County policies and applicable labor laws during such assignments.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties, and responsibilities.  Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).