Employment at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conserves birds and their habitats through science, education and land stewardship. Our organization employs people who are passionate about our mission and vision. Whether you are a scientist, an administrator or an educator, at Bird Conservancy, you help connect people, birds and land.

Staff are based in our offices in Brighton or Fort Collins, Colorado, or western Nebraska, or they work remotely from partners’ offices or seasonal housing throughout the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains and northern Mexico. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies offers competitive wages and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off and a retirement plan.  Follow the directions provided in the job announcements below to apply for open positions.

Click here for information about internship opportunities.

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is an equal opportunity employer.

Current job openings:

Click links provided for full description and application details.

Seasonal Bird Bander (Chico Basin Ranch, El Paso County, Colorado)
Bird Conservancy is seeking an experienced bird bander for a high-volume spring migration banding station at Chico Basin Ranch, operated by Bird Conservancy in partnership with Chico Basin Ranch. Position is approximately 5 weeks. Click here to download a complete position description and application instructions.

Avian Ecologist Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) Coordinator (Fort Collins, CO)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking a full-time Avian Ecologist to oversee the implementation of a regional avian monitoring project. The Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) Coordinator is responsible for successful execution and strategic oversight of the MSO occupancy monitoring project.  The MSO Coordinator collaborates with other members of Bird Conservancy’s Science Team in field season planning, logistics and report writing. Successful applicants with have strong background in avian sampling techniques, experience with project management including the supervision of field crews and a sound understanding of occupancy modeling. Download a complete position description.

Bioinformatics Manager (Fort Collins, CO)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking a programmer/ developer to oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of Bird Conservancy’s web and bioinformatic infrastructure. This includes maintenance of existing web and data applications and development of new technical solutions including but not limited to web interface (e.g., Rocky Mountain Avian Data Center), APIs, databases (e.g., Biological Inventory and Research Database) and analysis pipelines. Qualified applicants will have a strong background in programming (Python, JavaScript and .NET), database development and management (PostgreSQL and SQL Server) and the ability to develop custom APIs and web interfaces for data sharing. The applicant should have experience with cloud-based computing solutions (Azure and Containerization). Desired qualifications include system administration experience, modern DevOps practices, and informatics experience with analysis pipelines in R.  Download a complete position description.

Development Assistant (Brighton, CO)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking a Development Assistant to advance our strategic priorities by assisting in the coordination of fundraising events, annual mailings and stewardship activities. This position works with our conservation, education, finance, and communications departments, and reports directly to the Development Director. The ideal candidate will have the ability to multitask effectively, collaborate on projects from inception to completion, and perform their duties independently as well as in a team. This position is entry level eligible for candidates who possess the willingness to learn and grow with the organization. Download a complete position description.

IMBCR Avian Field Technicians (Colorado)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking experienced field technicians to conduct point counts throughout Colorado for the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. The position will run from approximately May 10th and continue through mid-July. Surveys are located on both public and private lands throughout Colorado including scenic areas such as Summit County, San Juan Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Comanche National Grassland while advancing avian conservation at regional scales. Technicians will monitor birds in a large variety of elevations and habitats including desert scrub, riparian, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, tundra, and montane forest. The ability to identify all avian species within designated geographic areas—by sight and sound—is necessary. Download a complete position description.

IMBCR Avian Field Technicians (Northern Great Plains)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking experienced field technicians to conduct point counts throughout the Northern Great Plains. The position will run from approximately May 17th and continue through mid-July. Surveys are located on both public and private lands throughout the Northern Great Plains and represent an excellent opportunity to explore the Great Plains and Black Hills while advancing avian conservation at regional scales. Surveys are located throughout Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota and cover a vast range of elevations and habitats. The ability to identify all avian species within designated geographic areas—by sight and sound—is necessary. Download a complete position description.

IMBCR Avian Field Technicians (Southern Great Plains)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking experienced field technicians to conduct point counts across the Southern Great Plains, from northern Texas and eastern New Mexico up to the Nebraska panhandle for the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. The position will run from approximately April 19th and continue through late June. Surveys are located on both public and private lands in a mix of grassland and shrub habitats including short- and mixed-grass prairie, mesquite bosques, and riparian systems with the opportunity to observe an impressive variety of species as you move across the study area, including Painted Bunting, Cactus Wren, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Burrowing Owl, Mississippi Kite, Scaled Quail, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and Lesser Prairie-Chicken. The ability to identify all avian species within designated geographic areas—by sight and sound—is necessary. Download a complete position description.

IMBCR Avian Field Technicians (Southwest)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking experienced field technicians to conduct point counts throughout Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah for the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. The position will run from approximately April 19th and continue through early to mid July. Surveys are located on both public and private lands throughout Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico including scenic areas such as the Wasatch Range, Moab, the High Uintas Wilderness, Flaming Gorge, Coronado NF, Kaibab NF, and Lincoln NF while advancing avian conservation at regional scales. Technicians will monitor birds in a large variety of elevations and habitats including salt desert scrub, riparian, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and montane forest. The ability to identify all avian species within designated geographic areas—by sight and sound—is necessary. Download a complete position description.

IMBCR Avian Field Technicians (Wyoming-Idaho)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking experienced field technicians to conduct point counts throughout the state of Wyoming and in eastern Idaho for the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. The position will run from approximately May 17th and continue through mid-July. Surveys are located on both public and private lands throughout Wyoming and eastern Idaho and represent an excellent opportunity to explore some scenic areas such as the Red Desert, Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forests, as well as Grand Teton and Yellowstone National while advancing avian conservation at regional scales. Technicians will monitor birds in a large variety of elevations and habitats including desert scrub, riparian, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, tundra, and montane forest. The ability to identify all avian species within designated geographic areas—by sight and sound—is necessary. Download a complete position description.

IMBCR Seasonal Crew Leader (Colorado)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking a crew leader for the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. The crew leader will manage 5-7 seasonal technicians, communicate with private landowners, coordinate field logistics, and participate in research activities to determine basic population estimates of breeding birds in Colorado. Prior field work experience is required, and prior experience managing a field crew is preferred. The ability to identify all avian species within designated geographic areas—by sight and sound—is necessary. Download a complete position description.

IMBCR Seasonal Crew Leader (Southern Great Plains)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking a crew leader for the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. The crew leader will manage 3-4 seasonal technicians, communicate with private landowners, coordinate field logistics, and participate in research activities (avian point counts) to determine basic population estimates of breeding birds in Eastern New Mexico, Texas Panhandle, Western Oklahoma, Western Kansas, and the Nebraska Panhandle. Prior field work experience is required, and prior experience managing a field crew is preferred. The ability to identify all avian species within designated geographic areas—by sight and sound—is necessary. Surveys are located on both public and private lands in a mix of grassland and shrub habitats including short- and mixed-grass prairie, mesquite bosques, and riparian systems with the opportunity to observe an impressive variety of species as you move across the study area, including Painted Bunting, Cactus Wren, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Burrowing Owl, Mississippi Kite, Scaled Quail, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and Lesser Prairie-Chicken. Download a complete position description.

Motus Biologist (Fort Collins, CO)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is hiring a Motus Biologist to assist with the expansion of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, an automated radio telemetry network across the Great Plains and Chihuahuan Desert (GPCD). The primary responsibilities will be to travel throughout the region to evaluate potential sites for Motus stations, construct, assemble, and repair Motus receiving stations. Secondary responsibilities may include data and inventory management, assisting with implementation of Motus workshops, and mist-netting, banding, and attaching coded tags to grassland birds. Regular and professional interaction with partners, landowners, and other members of the public will be required. Applicants must be strong critical thinkers, be highly organized and detail oriented, and have prior relevant experience or the ability to learn. Specifically, applicants must be familiar with radio telemetry or the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (http://www.motus.org). The incumbent must have a valid US driver’s license and passport, the ability to drive a truck pulling a loaded trailer, be willing to travel within the US and Mexico, and the ability to work extended hours in the evening and on weekends. Desired qualifications include prior experience using mist-nets, banding, and deploying tracking devices on birds. Intermediate Spanish language skills are a plus. Download a complete position description.

Program Manager, Watershed Health (Colorado)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Program Manager of Watershed Health (forestry & wetlands focus) to oversee the supervision, coordination and implementation of our Private Lands Wildlife Biologist network along the Front Range, San Luis Valley and South Platte corridor of Colorado. The Program Manager, based in our Fort Collins, CO office, will remotely supervise five Private Land Wildlife Biologists implementing on-the-ground conservation projects. We are seeking an individual who is passionate and knowledgeable about the resource concerns, human dynamics and project implementation of habitat conservation in forested and wetland systems. Qualified applicants will have a graduate degree in forestry, watershed science, wildlife management, ecology, natural resources, or related field or equivalent work experience or a combination thereof, have at least one year of supervisory experience of full-time staff or two years’ supervisory experience of part-time staff, and an understanding of both the Farm Bill and Colorado’s State Wildlife Action Plan. Download a complete position description.

Research Assistant
The Research Assistant will work directly with Bird Conservancy Biologists and Ecologists to accomplish all aspects of Bird Conservancy’s large-scale breeding bird monitoring programs and other programs within the Science team.  This is a part-time, work-study position through Colorado State University. Download a complete job description.

Seasonal Camp Instructors
Bird Conservancy is hiring two motivated Seasonal Camp Instructors to lead instruction of summer Bird Camp participants. These positions start on May 23rd and end on August 5th. Bird Camps reach ages 4 – 17 through day camp, overnight camp and our Leaders in Training program. Seasonal Camp Instructors work closely with the Education Team to deliver a high-quality summer camp program. Click here to download a complete position description and application instructions.

Seasonal Crew Leader – Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring (New Mexico/Arizona)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is hiring seasonal crew leaders (multiple positions) to participate and lead technicians in research activities to estimate occupancy rates of Mexican Spotted Owls as well as other research projects pertaining to Mexican Spotted Owl population monitoring.  Download a complete position description.

Seasonal Technician – Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring (New Mexico/Arizona)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is hiring seasonal technicians (multiple positions) to participate in research activities to estimate occupancy rates of Mexican Spotted Owls as well as other research projects pertaining to Mexican Spotted Owl population monitoring. Download a complete position description.

Internships – Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring  (Arizona & New Mexico)
Visit our internship page for more information about this opportunity.

Board of Directors
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is looking for talented, energetic candidates to join its Board of Directors. Volunteers should have a commitment to and interest in conservation. Though headquartered in Brighton, Colorado, our reach includes the western United States and Mexico, so candidates within and outside the Front Range of Colorado are eligible. The Board meets quarterly, typically in the Denver-metro area. Remote participation is possible, although some personal attendance during the year is necessary for engagement and immersion in the mission.  Click here to download a complete Board of Directors role description.