MDF Program Manager – Grazing & Working Lands

Reports to: MDF Director of Private Land Conservation
Classification: Salaried / Exempt
Start Date: May 1, 2026, or sooner
Term: 3 years (with potential for extension based on funding)
Salary: $75,000 – $85,000 DOE, plus benefits (Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, and 401K)

Position Location

Remote within the Great Plains region as approved by MDF, with regional travel required. Preference for candidates located within the Southern Great Plains due to program delivery priorities.

Job Summary

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is seeking a qualified and motivated Program Manager to lead MDF’s grant‑supported work under the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative (GRACI). GRACI is an NFWF program that invests in voluntary conservation efforts to strengthen the long‑term resilience and health of working grasslands. Within MDF’s Private Land Conservation Program, this effort will be delivered through MDF’s Great Plains and Grasslands Initiatives, advancing voluntary, incentive-based conservation to enhance mule deer and other wildlife habitat on private and working lands across the Plains states.

This position is responsible for managing day-to-day implementation across multiple states, including supervising and coordinating staff, working with partners, and ensuring successful delivery of grazing management and wildlife habitat improvement projects on private lands. The Program Manager will report directly to the Director of Private Land Conservation and will work under that direction to ensure successful program delivery, including regular coordination on priorities, progress, and implementation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of MDF’s GRACI program within the Great Plains Initiative
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, and supervising program field staff responsible for landowner enrollment and project delivery
• Lead and coordinate program field staff across multiple states
• Work directly with private landowners and ranchers to evaluate grazing systems and develop practical grazing management improvements
• Promote and design adoption of regenerative and adaptive grazing practices that improve grassland health, production, soil health, water function, and wildlife habitat
• Conduct outreach to identify, engage, and enroll landowners in the program
• Work closely with NRCS field staff and partners to incorporate Farm Bill programs (EQIP, CSP, etc.) where feasible
• Manage grant administration, including budgeting, record keeping, tracking accomplishments, and reporting to NFWF
• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, deliverables, and timelines
• Support development of partnerships, including engagement with corporate partners and potential funding sources
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking program metrics and outcomes

Essential Duties

• Provide day-to-day supervision, leadership and direction to program field staff
• Maintain regular communication with the Director of Private Land Conservation regarding program progress and needs
• Support program staff in project planning, prioritization, and addressing implementation challenges
• Represent MDF in meetings, workshops, and outreach events
• Ensure consistent and high-quality delivery of grazing management and wildlife habitat improvement practices
• Support adaptive management and continuous improvement of program delivery

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in rangeland management, natural resources, wildlife biology, ecology, agricultural sciences, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in conservation, rangeland management, grazing management, ranch management, or a related agricultural field
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing grazing management plans
• Experience working with private landowners
• Experience supervising staff or leading teams

Preferred Experience

• Experience working in the Great Plains region
• Experience with regenerative or adaptive grazing systems strongly preferred
• Experience working directly with private landowners and ranchers on conservation or grazing management projects
• Experience managing grant-funded programs, including budgeting, reporting, and compliance
• Experience supporting multi-partner conservation efforts
• Experience engaging corporate or private funding partners
• Familiarity with NRCS programs and ability to work effectively with NRCS field offices

Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational and program management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across a large geographic area
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, support, and hold staff accountable
• Practical understanding of grazing systems and ranch operations
• Strong attention to detail in tracking, reporting, and compliance
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills in program implementation
• Ability to lead and support a distributed team

Work Environment

• Remote, home-office based position with regional overnight travel required
• Must be comfortable working across a large geographic area and with a distributed team
• Some weekend work may be required