Western 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: WLA’s Western Water Program Director will work with organizational leadership, members, and partners to develop and execute strategies to facilitate collaborative learning and collective action to address western water shortages and improve watershed health. This will include 1) developing a Western Water Forum to facilitate collaborative learning and collective action between landowners, agencies and diverse stakeholders to address western water issues, 2) develop priority tributary projects in partnership with place-based organizations to promote program awareness and coordinate and deliver resources, and 3) Oversee landowner outreach and communications on water-related issues, including peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and dissemination of information, success stories, resources and funding opportunities.

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

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

Reports to: Chief Programs Officer

Compensation: $80,000-$100,000. 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:

• Engage and convene landowners in dialogues and workshops across the West (with initial focus in the Upper Colorado River Basin states) to identify opportunities, challenges and landowner-supported solutions for addressing western water shortages and improving watershed health
• Develop and host a Western Water Forum with key landowners, NGOs, and agency representatives to address key water issues in the West including water rights policies, water conservation incentives, and water shortage sharing agreements
• Deliver on-the-ground water stewardship projects in key landscapes by providing resources to place-based organizations and landowners
• Work with WLA communications staff to deliver timely news, information, and technical and financial resources regarding water resource management to landowners
• Inform WLA leadership, members, and partners on relevant water issues
• In conjunction with WLA staff, develop materials to execute on water strategy (i.e., program-related reports, papers, briefs, and resource materials)
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson on water to the media, decision makers, partners, funders and the general public
• Oversee, hire and manage program-related staff and contractors
• Serve as a member of the leadership team
• Create reports and perform benchmarking exercises as required
• Assist in grant writing and fundraising in support of Western Water program.
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution or equivalent work experience required  
• Working knowledge of watershed management and conservation practices and policies 
• Working knowledge of land and natural resource issues in the West including agriculture, conservation, and policies related to these issues 
• Experience with coalition building
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain positive working relationships 
• 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 
• Able to set and meet strategic long and short-term goals and objectives
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Dropbox and G-Suite

Working Environment/Physical Activities: Work environment is an office and field setting. 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 long distances by vehicle (including traveling on unpaved roads). This position may also require moving materials up to 25 pounds.  This position requires facilitation of meetings and interfacing professionally with the public.