Four Corners Water Center Director

Position Summary:

This position is classified as Full-time Exempt Staff.


Reporting to the Provost, the Director of the Four Corners Water supports the Water Center’s mission to cultivate the next generation of water leaders through student-centered programming focused on creating solutions to pressing water challenges in the Four Corners region and to act as a liaison between the College and Four Corners communities around essential water conversations and initiatives.


The Water Center Director supports the Center’s mission by:

· Coordinating programs and projects that serve and support Fort Lewis College students in pursuing water-related coursework and professional development opportunities during their degree programs;

· Connecting FLC students, faculty, and staff across campus around interdisciplinary water initiatives;

· Facilitating connections between local watershed organizations, water professionals, other community members, and Fort Lewis College;

· Securing external support and grant funding for programs.


Additionally, the Water Center supports the Fort Lewis College strategic plan’s emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary learning; equity-based education; and reconciliation. The Water Center Director works across academic disciplines with a wide range of engaged faculty from all schools and departments on campus to support and collaborate on student-centered initiatives. The Director similarly collaborates with campus partners in the Office of Academic Affairs, Diversity Affairs, the Office of Sponsored Research, and the FLC Foundation.

Job Description:

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or master’s degree in a water-related field, such as Environmental Science, Sociology, Law, Policy, Geosciences, Biology/Ecology, Resources Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Journalism, etc.
• Five or more years of work experience in natural resources, science, engineering, law, journalism, education, or policy related to water.
• Significant experience working and building relationships with Indigenous communities and Tribes.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, pursue, and obtain grant funding for programmatic activities.
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative skills and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with college students and young professionals.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities and incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into programming.
• A commitment to developing productive relationships across a college campus and with communities beyond the college at all levels.
• Effective communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in water resources, science, engineering, law, journalism, education, or policy in the Southwest and/or Four Corners Region.
• 8 or more years of work experience in natural resources, science, engineering, law, journalism, education, or policy related to water.
• Demonstrated experience in fostering inclusive hiring practices and collaborative and respectful working environments.
• Three or more years of experience in leadership roles.
• Existing relationships with Indigenous communities in the Southwest and the ability to build upon existing relationships with these communities.
• A strong scholarly research record.
• A record of successful teaching and/or supervision of college students.
• Experience with experiential learning and professional development programs for early career professionals and college students.

Major Responsibilities

Reporting to the Provost, the Director is responsible for:

Overseeing the mission and long-term vision for the Four Corners Water Center, including: management of the Center’s existing programs and grants; collaborating with faculty to develop the Center’s institutional plan for programming, collaboration, and growth; developing and working with the College Advisory Committee to define long-range goals for the Center; and working with faculty and staff to execute critical water-focused projects. Existing programs include:

• Annual meetings, conferences, outreach, and training opportunities hosted at FLC.
• The Tribal Water Media Fellowship educational program
• The Dolores River Adaptive Management research program
• The Food, Energy, Water internship program
• The Colorado Water Fellows program
• Supporting the advertisement, advising, and assessment of the Interdisciplinary Water Studies Certificate
• Advising for the RMS River Studies and Leadership Certificates
• Graduate school exploration events
• Leading the Center in demonstrating an ongoing commi