Working Wild Challenge 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: WLA’s Working Wild Challenge (WWC) is a landowner-led effort that recognizes the challenge of ranching with wildlife and facilitates constructive dialogue between wildlife managers and working lands stewards to solve problems through peer learning, public policies, and increasing access to technical and financial assistance. The WWC Manager provides expertise on non-lethal wildlife conflict prevention and develops and supports strategies, projects, and grant-funded activities to foster collaboration to achieve positive outcomes for both working lands and wildlife.

Amount of Time & Status: 40 hours a week, exempt, Monday-Friday

Location: This position is remote but requires residency in the American West. Periodic travel will be required.

Reports to: Working Wild Challenge Program Director

Compensation: $75,000-$90,000. Salary is commensurate with experience. Western Landowners Alliance offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, parental leave, medical leave, 403b retirement savings account with a discretionary match, life insurance, short and long-term disability benefits, and an employee assistance program.

Duties/Responsibilities Include:

• In collaboration with the WLA team, develop and implement strategies, objectives, projects, and grants that advance the goals of the WWC program.
  
• Coordinate and facilitate monthly practitioner calls and other peer-learning opportunities, including workshops, field tours, online forums, and events, to support knowledge exchange among livestock producers, landowners, land managers, and other stakeholders in reference to wildlife conflict on working lands.
  
• Provide technical expertise and connect land stewards with science-based information, research opportunities, technical assistance, and financial resources related to non-lethal wildlife conflict prevention practices.
  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with WLA members, landowners, land managers, partner organizations, agency personnel, and other stakeholders to support program goals and foster collaboration.
  
• Contribute to organizational communications, including newsletters and stakeholder updates, by developing clear, cohesive, and relevant content that supports program goals and messaging.
  
• Support and advise on public policies and economic initiatives related to wildlife on working lands by providing programmatic expertise, stakeholder perspectives/support, and technical input.
  
• Develop agendas for weekly WWC meetings in collaboration with the Director and support productive discussions, cross-team communication, and regular check-ins to track program implementation, grant progress, and deliverables.
  
• Monitor and stay informed on western-wide conflict and conservation issues, communicating relevant developments effectively to leadership, staff, and partners.
  
• Other duties as assigned.  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution or equivalent work experience required  
  
• Working knowledge of wildlife management and conservation practices and policies 
  
• Working knowledge of land and natural resource issues in the West including ranching, conservation, and policies related to these issues 
  
• Experience working with private landowners
  
• Experience and demonstrated success in collaborative conservation
  
• Experience facilitating meetings and working with diverse constituencies
  
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain positive working relationships 
  
• 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 the ability to learn and effectively use new software, digital tools, and collaborative platforms

Working Environment/Physical Activities: Work environment is an office setting with occasional field visits. 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 by plane and long distances by vehicles (including traveling on unpaved roads) This position may also require moving agency materials up to 25 pounds. This position requires the ability to facilitate meetings and interface professionally with the public.

Application Procedure: Please submit your resume and cover letter via our website. 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: Immediately