Western Grazing Lands Coalition Manager

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 Western Grazing Lands Coalition Manager will support a western network of grazing lands coalitions and partnerships in enhancing and sustaining technical assistance focused on managed grazing as an economically viable natural resources stewardship strategy. The position will lead a coordinated effort to achieve collective impact by identifying and prioritizing durable pathways for the delivery of technical assistance and shared learning on ecologically beneficial and economically sound strategies for the stewardship of grazing lands in the American West. The position will lead WLA’s efforts to establish conditions for success — provide backbone support, develop a common agenda, guide shared measurement systems, advance mutually reinforcing activities, and facilitate continuous communication — to advance the priorities of the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.

Amount of Time & Status: 40 hours a week, exempt, Monday-Friday. This position is currently funded for two years, with the intention to extend.

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

Direct Reports: California Grazing Lands Coordinator and Wyoming Grazing Lands Coordinator

Reports To: Working Lands Program Director

Compensation: Salary is up to $75,000 annually. Western Landowners Alliance offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off and other benefits.

Duties/Responsibilities Include: 

• In partnership with state and regional Grazing Lands Coalitions, support the development of formal strategies that identify and prioritize durable pathways for technical assistance delivery on grazing lands in the West.
• Facilitate knowledge-exchange and continued learning on climate-smart grazing strategies to address drought resiliency, invasive species, wildfire risk and recovery, and other local resource concerns.
• Coordinate with Indian Nations Conservation Alliance and other partners focused on Historically Underserved producers to support outreach and technical assistance to tribal partners and other grazing lands managers and engage them in the Western Grazing Lands Coalition leadership and strategic planning.
• Support WLA staff and partners in planning, outreach, and delivery of opportunities designed to engage diverse practitioners, students, and other stakeholders in grazing lands stewardship.
• Provide assistance to cohort of Western Grazing Lands Coordinators and Educators by offering dedicated backbone support to state-level initiatives and partners.
• Develop and support implementation of shared measurement and evaluation systems to ensure alignment of efforts, accountability, and opportunities to learn from each other.
• Develop and implement a plan for continuous communication between state partners to synergistically advance foundational, operational, and outcome impact of GLCI efforts across states.
• Provide staff support and management to state-level grazing lands coordinators.
• Provide knowledge and experience in soil health and grazing management within rangeland systems.
• Connect Western GLC efforts with those of the National Grazing Lands Coalition to reinforce national programs and resources for the stewardship of grazing lands.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Minimum bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent work experience required.  Five plus years of work experience, is preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
• Knowledge of current rangeland ecosystem management principles, concepts, and theories
• Strong understanding of federal and state programs that promote conservation on private land (including Farm Bill programs), is required
• Experience with collaborative and strategic planning, is preferred
• Adaptable and able to move work forward within complex multi-stakeholder partnerships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; detail oriented, strong independent work ethic; and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment
• Successful grant writing experience, is preferred
• Ability to distill complex subject matter to any audience for comprehension
• Experience and record of success in working with landowners or landowner groups
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms
• Creative and positive approach to communication and problem solving
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, is required
• Willingness and ability to maintain confidential information and work with diverse populations.

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.

Application Procedure: Please submit your resume and cover letter (required) via email to info@westernlandowners.org or apply online. Please, no phone calls. Western Landowners Alliance values diversity and inclusiveness 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.

Target start date: October 15, 2023