Wild Lands and Water Program Manager

Central Oregon LandWatch is seeking a Wild Lands & Water Program Manager.

This person will work with the Program Director to lead LandWatch’s efforts to ensure Central Oregon’s wild lands are protected to support biological diversity and critical wildlife habitat, and that water management in our region is improved to restore instream flows for the benefit of fish and wildlife. In partnership with the other members of the Wild Lands & Water team, this will be achieved by advocating for the improvement, and enforcement of state and federal environmental laws and policies. 

Summary of Position

• Title: Wild Lands & Water Program Manager
• Supervised by: Wild Lands & Water Program Director
• Status: full-time, 40hr/week, FLSA exempt, salaried
• Salary Range: Negotiable starting at $60,000/year

About Central Oregon LandWatch

For more than 35 years, Central Oregon LandWatch has worked to defend and plan for our region’s livable future. As our population continues to grow, our region faces a critical need to ensure a balanced, sustainable, and planned approach that guides growth where it belongs and protects the land and water that sustain communities and ecosystems. Using land use law, policy, planning, and community organizing, Central Oregon LandWatch works to meet this need. Learn more at www.colw.org. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Law and Policy (45%)

• Identify and develop strategic opportunities for LandWatch to engage in meaningful legal accountability and policy reform related to the management of water and public lands in Central Oregon
• Work with the Program Director and legal team to implement strategies to challenge federal, state, and local government decisions that adversely affect fish and wildlife habitat
• Evaluate state and federal projects and management proposals for significant threats to wildlife habitat
• Monitor and evaluate management plans, applications, and proposals for compliance with state and federal water laws
• Enforce and strengthen state and federal environmental laws and land management policy through legal action, administrative advocacy, and the state legislature
• Prepare legal comments and testimony on public land and water management proposals and processes at the state and federal levels

Program Development and Support (35%)

• Conduct legal research on key issues and prepare reports, white papers, or other presentations to support the work of the Wild Lands and Water Program
• Cultivate and maintain working relationships with key stakeholders, subject-matter experts, and state and federal agency staff in support of public land and water management objectives
• Educate and inform community stakeholders about water and public land management in the Deschutes Basin and opportunities for reform
• Work with Communications team and Program Director to craft strategic communications that support the aims of the Wild Lands and Water program

Program Coordination and Administration  (20%)

• Contribute to annual goal-setting and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan
• Coordinate Wild Lands and Water team to ensure alignment of team members’ efforts with the program’s strategic priorities
• Actively participate in weekly staff meetings, board meetings as necessary, work planning, DEI initiatives, and other organization-wide efforts.
• Work with the Development Director to develop grant proposals and reports.
• Perform duties required of all staff to support internal operations including submitting expense reports, invoice requests, reimbursement requests, and timesheets.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Knowledge of water law and/or natural resource law
• Strong technical writing skills (e.g. public comments and testimony)
• Proven ability to research, analyze and synthesize complex natural resource issues
• Strong communications, public speaking, and stakeholder outreach skills
• Ability to work with a diverse range of people

Strongly preferred:

• JD degree and/or legal and policy background in water law and public lands management
• 3-5 years of directly related work experience in natural resource management field

Qualities:

• Committed to LandWatch’s mission
• Welcomes and values diversity, and is committed to the process of building a more inclusive organization and more equitable Central Oregon
• Ability to graciously give, receive and integrate feedback on a regular basis
• Can take initiative to solve problems, propose new ideas and adapt to challenges

BENEFITS & CULTURE

Benefits 

100% employer-paid health/vision/dental insurance plus 50% for dependents/families; 5% employer-paid retirement match; 4 weeks paid time off in the first year, 5 weeks in years 2-4, 6 weeks in years 5+; 10 paid holidays; 12 weeks (4 paid) family/medical leave policy; Health & Wellness stipend of $1,000; Technology stipend of $75/month, dog-friendly office space and other benefits offered by Embark Bend coworking space; commitment to professional development.

Commitment to EDI Principles 

LandWatch is committed to advancing the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work. With the help of consultants and experts, we will develop an organization-wide action plan to ensure that our work enhances an environment where every Central Oregonian can reach their full potential. We are seeking a candidate who is willing to grow alongside their colleagues and actively contribute to this process.

Our Ideal Candidate  

Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every qualification listed in a job description. Wondering whether you have the right credentials or background to apply? We value lived experience, are serious about embracing diversity, and are committed to building a team that represents our communities’ backgrounds. 

LandWatch is committed to recruiting and hiring qualified employees without regard to race, culture, color, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, class or any other non-merit factor. If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at operations@colw.org or call 541-647-2930.

Work Environment 

We offer a flexible workplace environment with a casual dress code. Employees currently work both from home and/or from our offices depending on their work style and preferences. We are committed to ensuring employees have all the tools they need to perform their job duties whether at home or in the office and can make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. We cannot guarantee accessibility in off-site locations where work is occasionally required. 

Our offices are located within Embark Bend coworking space, at 2843 NW Lolo Dr. Ste. 200, Bend, OR 97703