About Oregon Desert Land Trust
Oregon Desert Land Trust (ODLT) exists to conserve and restore wild and working lands for wildlife and people.  Private lands hold much of the water in Oregon’s high desert and many private landowners also hold  grazing permits that cover millions of acres of public land. This gives even relatively small parcels of  private land an outsized influence on the surrounding landscape and makes private land essential to wildlife habitat connectivity, the health of working lands, local economies, and public access to the  region.

Like much of the Intermountain West, Oregon’s high desert is experiencing a wave of private land turnover. Ranch fragmentation and increases in land valuation are being driven by inter- generational shifts in ownership, emerging investment opportunities, and a transition towards more  recreation-oriented properties, among other factors. These changes create both risk and  opportunity for conservation.

Since our founding in 2017, ODLT has acquired and conserved more than 23,000 acres of private land.  ODLT also holds grazing permits on nearly 600,000 acres of surrounding public lands that contribute to conservation and restoration across this massive 14-million acre landscape filled with mountains, streams, canyons, and playas.

As the only land trust dedicated exclusively to Oregon’s high desert, ODLT brings together private  landowners, land managers, Tribes, and other partners who share a commitment to keeping this  landscape open, healthy, and connected. That local knowledge and shared purpose are the foundation of our work and ODLT’s approach to be:

• Community-Minded – We are good neighbors, ready to lend a helping hand, participate in local  partnerships, pay property taxes, and buy goods and services locally whenever possible.
• Innovative – We draw on the best available science to develop conservation and stewardship  approaches that work over the long term.
• Collaborative – We can’t do this work alone. We strive to be good listeners, curious learners, and  strong partners in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the region.
• Results- Oriented – We are resourceful, efficient and committed to leaving Oregon’s high desert  better than we found it.

Position Summary
ODLT owns properties across Oregon’s high desert.  Most recently, ODLT acquired Disaster Peak Ranch in south Malheur County.  This 2,690-acre property includes livestock grazing permits on 56,744 acres of surrounding public land which help connect more than a million acres of wildlife habitat.  These lands are managed in partnership with our ranching partners and state and federal land managers. Broader partnerships on research efforts and conservation management will help establish regional conservation goals, test innovative stewardship techniques, and develop new, collaborative land management strategies on wild and working lands for wildlife and people.

The Stewardship Coordinator supports and coordinates land management on Disaster Peak Ranch and its associated public land allotments, and on other ODLT properties in Deschutes, Lake and Malheur counties. Working with contractors, neighbors, lessees and co-permittees, the Stewardship Coordinator protects, restores, and enhances habitat. In this role they will organize volunteers and partners for hands-on projects such as stream restoration, fence repair and removal, tree planting and monitoring. Across Oregon’s high desert, they represent ODLT to neighboring landowners, land managers, Tribal members and nonprofit partners, and serve as a resource on managing land to benefit wildlife, people and local economies.

Key Responsibilities
Land Stewardship, Restoration, and Management (60%)

• Lead management activities (management planning, ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, outreach, etc.) at Disaster Peak Ranch in partnership with state and federal land management agencies, local grazing partners, and regional Tribes.
• Coordinate with land management agencies, Tribes, volunteers, and other conservation partners to identify, fund, and implement restoration and stewardship projects on ODLT lands that do not have an on-site manager.
• Ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance accreditation requirements by assisting with annual inspections of ODLT lands.
• Assists staff, contractors, and volunteers on management activities (management planning, ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, outreach, etc.) at the neighboring Trout Creek Ranch.
• Co-develop/update and implement management plans at Disaster Peak Ranch and other ODLT lands.
• Recruit, train, organize, and support volunteers for projects such as property inspections, trail work, invasive plant removal, structure maintenance, plantings, natural resource inventories, etc.
• Manage stewardship contracts and communicate with or report to funders, partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Work with ODLT staff, board, and volunteers to identify and implement outreach opportunities with local and regional schools, partners, and the public.
• Build and maintain a culture of collaboration among stakeholders, including recreationists, the scientific community, school groups, regional tribes, and volunteers.

Disaster Peak Ranch Facility Management and Visitor Support (20%)

• Maintains the Disaster Peak Ranch Facilities Calendar.
• Serves as Disaster Peak Ranch’s main point of contact for visits by ODLT staff, partners, volunteers, contractors, and others.
• Supports ODLT staff on site visits, tours, etc.
• Coordinates with on-site caretaker to ensure residential facilities and landscaping are in appropriate condition for visitors, including managing related contractors or seasonal employees.
• Partners with on-site caretaker and grazing lessee to identify visitor-related infrastructure and equipment issues (e.g., fueling facilities, damaged vehicles) and coordinates with the Stewardship Program Manager  to resolve needed repairs or maintenance.
• Implements visitor policies and updates visitor guidelines and other information as appropriate.

Community Outreach and Fundraising (20%)

• Represent ODLT at meetings and conferences throughout Oregon’s high desert with a focus on neighboring landowners, land managers, Tribal members, and non-profit partners and serve as a technical and referral resource for effectively managing land to benefit wildlife, people, and local economies.
• Assist ODLT’s communications staff by providing information for monthly e-news and other communications materials and by preparing and delivering presentations, memos, and other documents.
• Work with other staff, volunteer tour leaders, schools, and partner organizations on interpretive and educational materials and opportunities.
• Supports other staff in cultivating funding from individual donors, state and federal grants, and other sources through drafting of proposals and necessary reporting.

To Apply:
Please email a PDF cover letter and resume to info@oregondesertlandtrust.orgwith “Stewardship Coordinator” in the subject line.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but a first wave of applications will be considered beginning December 1, 2026.
Additional information about ODLT can be found on our website at www.oregondesertlandtrust.org.  You can also subscribe to our eNewsletter to receive updates on our work or read recent articles about our work by visiting the Good Reads section of our website.