Land & Water Program Director

About Western Landowners Alliance (WLA):  Founded in 2012 by landowners and managers, the organization aims to increase the wellbeing of working lands in the American West and the living communities, including human and wildlife, that depend on them. 

Position Overview:  The Land & Water Program Director directs strategy, partnerships, and project development to support watershed health and responsible water stewardship on private and working lands throughout the American West. Because healthy watersheds rely on well-managed forests, rangelands, riparian areas, and agricultural lands, the Program Director builds and runs initiatives that strengthen watershed function, boost landscape resilience, foster collaborative stewardship, and link landowners to the technical expertise, funding, and policy support they need to keep working lands healthy and productive. 

Amount of Time & Status:  40 hours a week, exempt, Monday-Friday 

Location:  This position is remote with required residency in the American West. Periodic travel will be required.  

Reports to:  Chief Programs Officer 

Compensation:  $85,000-$110,000. Salary is commensurate with experience. Western Landowners Alliance offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, parental and medical leave, 403b retirement savings account with a discretionary match, life insurance, short-term disability benefits, and an employee assistance program. 

Duties/Responsibilities Include:  

• Develop and implement strategies, programs, and projects that support watershed health through integrated stewardship of forests, rangelands, riparian areas, wetlands, and water resources, consistent with WLA's strategic priorities.
• Develop annual work plans, budgets, performance metrics, and implementation strategies; manage grants and projects to ensure successful delivery of program
• Identify emerging opportunities and challenges affecting watershed health and develop collaborative, landowner-driven solutions that strengthen working lands and landscape resilience. 
• Convene landowners, producers, partners, and other stakeholders to identify priorities and advance watershed stewardship initiatives.
• Support implementation of voluntary, on-the-ground stewardship projects that improve watershed function, ecosystem resilience, and working lands productivity.
• Design and facilitate peer-learning opportunities, workshops, field tours, webinars, and other forums to promote knowledge exchange.
• Build partnerships with agencies, conservation organizations, universities, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders to advance program goals.
• Identify and support public policy and economic initiatives that advance voluntary conservation, watershed stewardship, and resilient working lands by providing technical expertise and stakeholder perspectives.
• Collaborate with WLA communications staff to develop educational resources, technical guidance, reports, and other outreach materials related to watershed stewardship.
• Serve as an organizational representative on watershed and working lands issues with partners, funders, decision-makers, and the public.
• Supervise, mentor, and manage program staff, contractors, and consultants.
• Track outcomes, evaluate program effectiveness, and prepare reports for funders and organizational leadership.
• Support fundraising through proposal development, grant writing, and donor engagement 
• Other duties as assigned 
  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution or equivalent work experience required   
• Five or more years of experience watershed management, natural resource conservation, working lands stewardship, forestry, rangeland management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of watershed processes and interconnected management of forests, rangelands, riparian systems, and working agricultural landscapes.
• Strong understanding of USDA conservation programs and other public and private conservation funding opportunities.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain positive working relationships 
• Experience working with landowners 
• Experience and demonstrated success in working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders toward a common goal 
• Experience facilitating meetings and working with diverse constituencies 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; detail oriented, strong independent work ethic; and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment 
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required 
• Willingness and ability to maintain confidential information and work with diverse populations 
• Strong technology literacy and adaptability, including the ability to learn and effectively use new software, digital tools, and collaborative platforms. 
  

Working Environment/Physical Activities:   Work environment is an office setting with occasional field visits. Physical activities include sitting at a desk and working on a keyboard and computer several hours a day; conducting business over the telephone and via email; standing for long periods of time; periodic travel and traveling by plane and long distances by vehicles (including traveling on unpaved roads). This position may also require moving agency materials up to 25 pounds. This position requires the ability to facilitate meetings and interface professionally with the public. 

Application Procedure :  Please submit your resume and cover letter (required) via our website. Please, no phone calls. Western Landowners Alliance values diversity and inclusivity and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all team members regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or political affiliation. We encourage all qualified and interested candidates to apply. 

Application Deadline: Priority given to applications received by Friday, August 21st.

Target start date: Immediately