Land & Water Program Director

Western Landowners Alliance

Watershed stewardship director advancing resilient working lands across the American West. Developing conservation programs, partnerships, grants, and policy initiatives for healthy watersheds.

Posted 8/14/2026full-timeRemote • Colorado • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $85,000 - $110,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in watershed management and natural resource conservation, with a strong focus on developing collaborative solutions and facilitating stakeholder engagement. Proficient in managing grants, tracking program effectiveness, and supporting fundraising efforts.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Watershed ManagementNatural Resource ConservationStakeholder EngagementGrant WritingUSDA Conservation Programs

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Watershed ProcessesRangeland ManagementForestryWorking Lands StewardshipPerformance MetricsProgram EvaluationBudget DevelopmentCollaborative SolutionsPublic Policy InitiativesKnowledge Exchange Facilitation

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsDetail-OrientedIndependent Work EthicAbility to Manage Multiple PrioritiesFacilitation Skills

Tools & Technologies

Digital ToolsCollaborative PlatformsGrant Management Software

Industry Keywords

Watershed HealthEcosystem ResilienceConservation FundingLandowner EngagementPublic and Private Conservation

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and implement strategies, programs, and projects supporting watershed health through integrated stewardship of forests, rangelands, riparian areas, wetlands, and water resources
Develop annual work plans, budgets, performance metrics, and implementation strategies
Manage grants and projects to ensure successful delivery of programs
Identify emerging watershed-health opportunities and challenges and develop collaborative, landowner-driven solutions
Convene landowners, producers, partners, and stakeholders to identify priorities and advance watershed stewardship initiatives
Support voluntary, on-the-ground stewardship projects improving watershed function, ecosystem resilience, and working-lands productivity
Design and facilitate peer-learning opportunities, workshops, field tours, webinars, and other knowledge-exchange forums
Build partnerships with agencies, conservation organizations, universities, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders
Identify and support public policy and economic initiatives advancing voluntary conservation, watershed stewardship, and resilient working lands
Collaborate with communications staff on educational resources, technical guidance, reports, and outreach materials
Represent the organization 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
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution or equivalent work experience required
Five or more years of experience in 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
Experience working with landowners
Demonstrated success 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 ability to learn and effectively use new software, digital tools, and collaborative platforms
Ability to facilitate meetings and interface professionally with the public
Periodic travel, including air travel and long-distance vehicle travel, required
Ability to move agency materials up to 25 pounds

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
Employee assistance program