Join our team!

The Colorado River District is now accepting applications for a Senior Communications Specialist.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and one to two writing samples to Audrey Turner (aturner@crwcd.org) no later than November 30th, 2026.

The Colorado River District is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist to join our team in Glenwood Springs and help advance the voice of West Slope water interests. In this highly visible role, you will lead a wide range of communications and public outreach initiatives, develop compelling content, build media relationships, coordinate high-profile events, and deliver engaging public presentations. As a key member of the Communications Team, you will help connect communities, stakeholders, and decision-makers with the River District’s mission and priorities.

What You’ll Do

  • Build and maintain strong media relationships while supporting proactive public information initiatives.
  • Create engaging written and visual content for digital, print, social media, presentations, newsletters, reports, and public outreach campaigns.
  • Design graphics and presentation materials that simplify complex water and policy issues.
  • Manage website updates, email communications, social media content, and digital marketing efforts.
  • Plan and execute signature events, including the State of the River event series and Annual Water Seminar.
  • Collaborate with District leadership to develop speeches, presentations, and messaging strategies.
  • Serve as a confident public-facing representative of the organization through presentations and stakeholder engagement opportunities.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is a highly organized communications professional with exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and project management skills. You enjoy balancing strategy and execution, are comfortable working across multiple communications platforms, and excel at transforming technical information into clear, engaging stories.

Qualifications include:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, or a related field.
  • 4-6 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, advocacy, marketing, or a related discipline.
  • Experience with media relations, content creation, digital communications, and event management.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and graphic design tools such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, and Photoshop.
  • Strong public speaking abilities and confidence engaging with diverse audiences.
  • Knowledge of Colorado water issues, natural resources, public policy, or related fields is a plus.

Travel throughout the District’s 15-county service area is expected, including evening and occasional weekend events. 

Why Join the Colorado River District?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Colorado’s water future while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to serving Western Colorado communities. If you’re creative, collaborative, and excited about advancing public understanding of important water issues, we’d love to hear from you.

Hiring Salary Range: $90,000 – $105,000 (based on experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

The River District offers a highly competitive and comprehensive benefits package detailed here. Benefits include full health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents, a $500/month housing stipend, a $1,500 contribution per year to a dependent care flexible spending account for employees with eligible dependents, paid vacation, sick, and holidays, and more!

Complete Position Description – Senior Communications Specialist

Help protect West Slope water. Apply today.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to Audrey Turner (aturner@crwcd.org).

Applications will be accepted through Monday, November 30th.

Who We Are:  The Colorado River District is a 15-county special district in Western Colorado. Our mission is to lead in the protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River basin for the welfare of the District, and to safeguard for Colorado all waters of the Colorado River to which the state is entitled. Each staff member at the District contributes to this mission, serving constituents across Western Colorado.

Our office is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on the banks of the mighty Colorado River.