Job Posting: Associate Program Director, Southwest (Colorado & Utah)

Position Title: Associate Program Director, Southwest (Colorado & Utah)
Position Location: Remote-Hybrid while residing in Colorado or Utah
This position reports to the Program Director based in Las Vegas, NV
Position Closes: August 7, 2023

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with staff in Northern and Southern California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington, DC. Established in 2007, CLF was founded on the belief that our public lands are best protected when there is a national network of local advocates working to advance a common conservation vision. CLF works hand-in-hand with 80 grassroots groups - our Friends Grassroots Network - to protect the National Conservation Lands, our nation’s newest collection of premier lands and waters under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s jurisdiction. These lands encompass 36 million acres and 2,400 miles of National Monuments and National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails and are found throughout the West and Alaska. This position reports to the Program Director.

Our mission is to protect, restore, and expand the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy, and partnerships.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Associate Program Director will help advance the Conservation Lands Foundations (CLF) work to expand, protect, and engage the grassroots in support of public lands in Utah, Colorado, and other regions as appropriate. The Associate Program Director works collaboratively with regional and statewide conservation organizations, Friends groups, partners from a blend of communities and constituencies, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and occasionally other federal agency staff to build and enhance support for BLM’s National Conservation Lands. The Associate Program Director is part of the Field Team and works collaboratively with CLF staff, reporting to the CLF Program Director based in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a tremendous opportunity for an individual to grow, strengthen, and support the work of CLF and its Friends Grassroots Network in the Southwest, as these groups and other constituencies defend, protect, expand, and restore the National Conservation Lands in the region.

The Associate Program Director will have demonstrable interest or expertise developing and executing legislative and/or National Monument campaign strategies, create opportunities for others to develop and grow, a desire to work with people from a broad range of backgrounds and experience, plus effectively participate and work on high-performance teams internally and externally. The candidate is committed to CLF’s mission, advancing equity and justice in the environmental community, is able to take initiative, is willing to build strong relationships, expresses emotional intelligence, and has integrity.

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

Strengthen the Friends Grassroots Network

• Build relationships to support and grow the Friends Grassroots Network (FGN) and CLF’s regional partnerships to improve effectiveness, advance equity and inclusiveness among leaders, partners, and coalitions in the conservation community, and increase access to public lands.
• Support and guide the Friends Grassroots Network to achieve conservation goals for the National Conservation Lands in Colorado and Utah (others as appropriate) and the National Conservation Lands as a system through direct in-person support and administration and management of grants to Friends groups and local partners.
• In collaboration with our Grassroots Engagement Director, help build capacity and leadership among groups and individuals with mentoring and training opportunities.

Public Lands Campaigns

• With the support of the Program Director, provide leadership, support, and strategic direction for proactive public lands campaigns and coalitions to help secure the strongest and most inclusive conservation outcomes possible.
• With the support of the Program Director, work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and grassroots partners to ensure inclusive and enduring Resource Management Planning and implementation for the National Conservation Lands in Colorado, Utah and surrounding regions as appropriate.

Collaboration with CLF staff

• Develop, coordinate and implement regional communications strategies in partnership with CLF’s Communications Team, Program Directors, Grassroots Engagement Director, and other internal and external partners to advance CLF’s various campaign priorities.
• Work with the Program Director on programmatic planning and budgeting.
• Collaborate with the Development Team on grant proposals, reports, and individual donor outreach, and provide support for their fundraising initiatives.
• Actively participate and support CLF’s equity, inclusion, and access work to help ensure it becomes embedded and continues to evolve as an organization-wide priority.

WHO YOU ARE: The successful candidate is committed to the Conservation Lands Foundation’s mission and to advancing equity, inclusion, and justice within the organization and in the environmental movement. Helpful qualifications include:

• Exceptional relationship-building skills with an ability to work with various internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to the conservation of public lands and enduring protections that bring benefits to community health and vitality, ecosystems, biological diversity, and climate resilience.
• At least one year of experience or coursework in public policy, advocacy, environmental or conservation policy, or a related field.
• Knowledge of relevant conservation policy issues on public lands
• Experience with grassroots advocacy and campaigns, organizing practices and principles, and success with organizing, mobilizing and connecting with different communities.
• Commitment to the fundamental belief that change comes from communities, individuals, and groups closest to the places and issues they care about.
• Ability to build trust and lasting relationships with a diverse range of leaders, including community influencers, members of Indigenous communities, decision makers, and agency staff.
• Lived experience with, or desire to learn from, Black, Indigenous, People of Color and partner groups.
• Comfortable working remotely or in hybrid team-oriented environments, with capacity to inspire cooperation among others.
• Comfortable engaging in frequent and open communication; ability to prioritize, adjust focus, and wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience handling confidential information appropriately.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Mission-driven and self-directed, while possessing idealism, integrity, intellectual curiosity, a solution- oriented attitude, and a sense of humor.
• Participate in team and organizational wide meetings, events and the Friends Grassroots Network Summit
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and Google Workspace
• Driving, frequent travel, temporary assignments and extended work hours may be required. A valid driver’s license is required.

Salary Range and Benefits: 

The salary for this position is $60,000-$67,000

The Conservation Lands Foundation offers a competitive compensation package, with an organizational culture that supports staff well-being and professional development. Benefits include generous vacation and sick time; 401(k) plan with employer contribution; health, dental, and vision insurance plan; health and dependent care; Flex Spending program or Health Savings Account, short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and one-page cover letter stating your interest and/or experience by August 7, 2023. Please send in one PDF via email with your first and last name and “Associate Program Director-SW” in the subject line to [email protected] No phone calls, please. 

The Conservation Lands Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the process. Please advise in writing at the time of application.

*This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.