Job Posting: Associate Program Director, California

Conservation Lands Foundation • September 18, 2026

The Conservation Lands Foundation is hiring a California Associate Program Director to help advance our work to expand, protect, and engage CLF’s Friends Grassroots Network (FGN) in support of public lands in California.


Position Title: Associate Program Director, California (Exempt) 

Position Location: Remote- Southern California preferred 

This position reports to:  The Senior Program Director, California

Approximate Start Date: January 6, 2027


WHO WE ARE: 


The Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Durango, Colorado. CLF is a team of 25 with staff based in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, DC.


Established in 2007, CLF was founded on the belief that our public lands are best protected when a national network of local advocates is working to advance a shared conservation vision. CLF works hand-in-hand with 90 grassroots groups - our Friends Grassroots Network - to protect the National Conservation Lands, our nation’s newest system of conserved lands and waters under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s jurisdiction. These lands encompass 38 million acres and 8,700 miles of National Monuments and National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails. National Conservation Lands are primarily located across the Western United States and Alaska.


Mission:  To harness the power of community-led advocacy and the Friends Grassroots Network to protect, restore, and expand the National Conservation Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) through education, advocacy, and partnerships.


POSITION DESCRIPTION: 


The Associate Program Director will help advance the Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF) work to expand, protect, and engage CLF’s Friends Grassroots Network (FGN) in support of public lands in California. 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 CLF’s Senior Program Director, based in Southern California. This is a tremendous opportunity for an individual to grow, strengthen, and support the work of CLF’s Friends Grassroots Network in California, as these groups and other constituencies protect, restore, expand, and defend the National Conservation Lands in the region. 


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


OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  


Strengthen the Friends Grassroots Network 

  • Support and grow the Friends Grassroots Network based in California 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 California and the National Conservation Lands as a system through in-person direct support, management and reporting of grantmaking to Friends groups and local partners. 
  • In collaboration with our Friends Grassroots Engagement Associate Director, help build capacity and leadership among groups and individuals with mentoring and training opportunities. 


Public Land Campaigns 

  • With support from the Senior Program Director, provide leadership, support, and strategic direction for public lands campaigns and help secure the strongest and most inclusive possible conservation outcomes. 
  • In conjunction with the Senior Program Director, collaborate with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and grassroots partners to ensure inclusive and enduring conservation planning and management for the National Conservation Lands in California and the surrounding region. 


Collaboration with CLF staff 

  • Develop, coordinate, and implement regional communications strategies in partnership with CLF’s Communications Team, Program Directors, Grassroots Engagement Associate Director, and other internal and external partners to advance CLF’s campaign priorities. 
  • Work with the Senior Program Director on programmatic planning and budgeting. 
  • Partner with the Development Team to create high-impact grant proposals and reports on field-centric initiatives, and support individual donor outreach in California.
  • Engage and participate in team and organization-wide initiatives,  including meetings, events, and the planning and execution of the CLF’s Friends Grassroots Network Summit. 
  • Actively participate and support CLF’s equity work to help ensure it becomes embedded and continues to evolve as an organization-wide priority. 


WHO YOU ARE: 

As a proficient relationship and campaign builder, you bring a collaborative, equity-minded approach as an emerging leader with a collaborative spirit to advance CLF’s mission. 


Qualifications may include: 

  • Committed to protecting public lands and supporting community-led solutions that strengthen ecosystems, biodiversity, climate resilience, civic and public health.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills with an ability to work with various internal and external constituents.
  • Experience with grassroots advocacy and campaigns, organizing practices and principles, and success connecting with, organizing, and mobilizing diverse communities. 
  • Ability to build trust and lasting relationships with a diverse range of leaders, including community influencers, decision-makers, and agency staff. 
  • Comfortable working remotely or in hybrid team-oriented environments, with the capacity to inspire cooperation among others. 
  • Organized, proactive professional who excels at multitasking and adapting in a fast-paced environment while building collaborative relationships through open, frequent communication and dedicated follow-through.
  • Sound judgment, discretion, and a high degree of emotional intelligence. 
  • Mission-driven and self-directed, with idealism, integrity, intellectual curiosity, a solution-oriented attitude, and a sense of humor. 
  • Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and access within CLF, among our partner organizations, and in the environmental movement. 
  • Experience with or desire and ability to learn BLM public lands policy. 
  • Lived experience with, or desire to learn from, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and partner groups. 
  • Experience handling confidential information appropriately. 
  • 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:  $72,500-$80,000


Application: To apply, email a cover letter and resume to california-associate@conservationlands.org.


Please attach your documents in one PDF titled with your First Name-Last Name-Associate Program Director CA by October 19, 2026. 


While this position offers the flexibility of working remotely, we are looking for a team member who resides in the Southern California region.


Note: Research shows women and people of color often only apply when they meet 100% of qualifications.  Please consider applying even if you do not have all of the qualifications noted above.


Benefits Overview:  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; a 401(k) plan with employer contribution; health, dental, and vision insurance; a Flex Spending program or Health Savings Account; Life Insurance; and short- and long-term disability insurance.


The Conservation Lands Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on 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 is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.


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