Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center

Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Annual budget: ~$4.5M

Total staff: ~35

THE ORGANIZATION

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center is a nonprofit stewarding 240 acres of forest, farmland, and riparian habitat in the Snoqualmie Valley. Founded in 2009 by Judi Beck and Tom Alberg, Oxbow’s mission is to cultivate conservation and food security in support of a thriving, healthy Cascadia region.

With a unique mix of native ecosystems, restored habitat, working farmland, and public gathering spaces, Oxbow offers a living example of what’s possible when ecological care and community connection go hand in hand.

Oxbow’s purpose is brought to life through four interconnected priorities:

Provide Immersive Educational Experiences

Through field experiences, in-school lessons, public workshops, and seasonal events, Oxbow invites people of all ages to explore relationships between plants, people, and place. Programming is centered on food, native plants, and conservation themes, and delivered through long-term partnerships with schools and organizations. The land itself—trails, gardens, and restoration zones—functions as a living classroom where curiosity and connection flourish.

Grow and Share Native Plants

Oxbow’s Native Plant Nursery is focused on expanding awareness, access, and appreciation of native plants across the region. It cultivates a diverse selection of Washington native species for home landscapes, community spaces, and restoration efforts. With a focus on public engagement, the nursery connects people to native plants through weekend events, interpretive signage, hands-on learning experiences, and partnerships with local retailers.

Steward the Land

From riverbank to forest edge, Oxbow stewards a diverse and ecologically vital landscape. The team restores habitat, maintains native plantings, and engages volunteers in hands-on care that supports biodiversity, soil health, and practical, place-based stewardship.

The organization’s namesake, the “oxbow lake”—a river meander naturally cut off from the main channel—is a defining feature of Oxbow’s diverse and ecologically rich landscape.

Grow and Donate Food

Oxbow maintains its roots in agriculture by growing fresh produce for donation. Thousands of pounds of food are harvested by staff and volunteers, and then distributed through partners like Hopelink, FareStart, and Jewish Family Services.

THE POSITION

Oxbow’s Executive Director will lead the organization with a steady, practical hand, executing the board-defined vision, strengthening internal systems, and ensuring high-quality delivery across all areas of work. This role oversees daily operations, manages a collaborative leadership team, and stewards organizational resources to maximize mission impact. Working in close partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will help identify opportunities to expand Oxbow’s reach, deepen partnerships, and align programs with strategic goals.

This is a role for a grounded, capable, and mission-aligned leader—someone who brings operational expertise, strong relationship instincts, and a commitment to fostering a healthy, engaged workplace culture rooted in Oxbow’s purpose and values.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Oxbow is committed to supporting all employees through competitive salary and benefits, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and training and professional development opportunities

Salary range: $180,000 - $200,000 DOE

Benefits package includes:

• 100% paid health insurance and dental stipend
• 403(b) retirement plan with match
• Generous paid holidays and PTO plan (personal and sick leave)
• Dependent health benefits (available at employee cost)
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to farm-fresh food during summer months

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT

Oxbow is committed to cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion. We value the individual differences, life experiences, and knowledge that our staff bring to their work and their communities. Valuing diversity is a significant part of our culture, our values, and the success of Oxbow’s mission. Oxbow provides equal employment opportunities to all staff members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.