Job Description

Position Title: Conservation Manager/Conservation Director (DOE)

Reports to: Executive Director

Location:  Candidates may work from BMLT’s office in Walla Walla, WA, or fully remotely within Garfield, Columbia, Asotin, and Walla Walla counties in Washington, and Umatilla, Union, Baker, Grant, Wheeler, Morrow, and Gilliam counties in Oregon.

Position status: Full-time, exempt

Salary range:  $62,000-80,000, depending on qualifications and whether the successful candidate is hired as a Conservation Manager or Conservation Director.

Posting date: August 6, 2026

Application deadline: Open until filled; hiring team will begin reviewing applications September 9, 2026

Job Summary
Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT) is seeking an experienced conservation professional to develop, coordinate, and lead land and water conservation projects across an 11-county service area in Eastern Oregon and southeast Washington. Depending on qualifications and experience, the selected candidate will be hired either as a Conservation Manager or Conservation Director.

Both roles lead complex land conservation projects, including conservation easements and fee title acquisitions, and work closely with landowners, funding partners, agencies, Tribes, and community partners. Both roles work closely with the stewardship and restoration director, executive director, and other BMLT staff to complete land and water acquisition projects to further strategic conservation goals. The Director role carries additional responsibility for strategic leadership, program management, staff supervision, and organizational leadership.

About Blue Mountain Land Trust

Protecting the land you love. Forever. Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT) is a nationally accredited land trust working in southeastern Washington and Eastern Oregon. Our mission is to protect the lands and waters of the Blue Mountain region for people, agriculture, and wildlife. Since our founding in 1999, we have acquired 23 conservation easements and 3 fee-title properties, protecting over 24,700 acres and more than 51 miles of rivers and streams.

Our team is passionate, collaborative, curious, and committed to protecting clean water, natural areas, vital habitat, healthy soils, safe trails, and livelihoods for agricultural communities across the Blue Mountain region.

We work to:

• Protect farms, ranches, rivers, and wildlife habitats.
• Restore and steward protected lands and waters in perpetuity. When we say “forever,” we mean it!
• Improve access to outdoor recreation through trail maintenance and stewardship on public lands.
• Offer hands-on environmental education programs for children, families, and adults.
• Help present and future communities thrive.

Job Role & Responsibilities
Conservation Planning and Program Management
Both positions will:

• Identify, evaluate, and develop conservation opportunities that advance BMLT’s strategic conservation priorities.
• Guide conservation easement and fee title acquisition projects from initial outreach through project completion, coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
• Coordinate project funding, due diligence, appraisals, title work, surveys, baseline documentation reports, management plans, and conservation agreements.
• Manage grant-funded conservation projects, reporting requirements, contracts, and project budgets.
• Ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and accreditation requirements.
• Support stewardship activities, including long-term project monitoring and landowner relationships.

Partnership Building & Community Engagement
Both positions will:

• Build trusted relationships with private landowners, agricultural producers, Tribes, government agencies, nonprofit partners, and local communities.
• Serve as BMLT’s primary point of contact for project partners and private landowners throughout the conservation project process.
• Collaborate with Tribes, local communities, conservation organizations, public agencies, elected officials, and funding partners to advance regional conservation priorities.
• Represent BMLT at public meetings, conferences, workshops, and community events. Participate and lead public events and work parties on protected properties and other conservation projects.
• Help communicate the value of voluntary land conservation to diverse audiences.

General & Financial Duties
Both positions will:

• Assist with identifying and securing funding through federal, state, foundation, and private grant programs.
• Manage grant implementation, reporting, contracts, and project reimbursements.
• Collaborate with BMLT’s development and communications staff to share conservation successes with donors, partners, and the community.
• Participate in organizational planning and contribute to a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
• Additional Responsibilities for Conservation Director
• In addition to the responsibilities above, the Conservation Director will:
• Lead implementation of BMLT’s long-term conservation plan and help identify emerging conservation priorities across the region.
• Serve as the organization’s lead conservation staff with Tribes, major partners, agencies, funders, and private landowners. Represent BMLT in regional and statewide conservation initiatives and collaborative partnerships.
• Supervise interns, volunteers, and consultants while fostering a collaborative team culture.
• Develop annual conservation department work plans, budgets, and performance goals. Help develop major funding strategies for land acquisition projects.
• Prioritize conservation projects and organizational workload.
• Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance to the Executive Director and Board of Directors regarding conservation transactions, landowner relations, funding opportunities, and conservation priorities.
• Support fundraising, grant strategy, and organizational partnerships.
• Benefits
  BMLT strives to create a collaborative and supportive workplace that encourages and inspires professional growth. You will be supported by our team in an onboarding process and throughout your tenure.

Benefits include:

• 12 paid holidays (including 4 floating holidays)
• Accrued paid vacation, 15 days in year 1, 20 days in years 2-5, and increasing in years 6+
• Accrued wellness time, 10 days per year
• Employer-paid  medical, dental, and vision insurance. 100% for employees and 25% for dependents
• Employer-paid elective contributions to a qualified retirement plan, currently at 5% of salary
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Annual field gear stipend
• Flexible work schedule and opportunities for professional development throughout the year

This position can be fully remote within BMLT’s service area in Oregon or Washington with occasional on-site work at the Walla Walla office.

To Apply:
Please upload a cover letter highlighting what you would bring to this position, resume, and 2-3 references as a single PDF to the application form on our website for the  “Conservation Manager or the Conservation Director” position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Selection Process:
Our selection process and timeline of key events are the following:

Review of resumes begins 09/09/26

Interviews with selected applicants (Zoom and in-person options) 09/17-9/29/26

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The position is open until filled.

Blue Mountain Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.