Sustainable Ranching Initiative Specialist

Please note: Although this is a remote position, priority will be given to candidates in the Northern Great Plains region.
Major Function

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world's leading conservation organizations, seeks a Specialist for the Sustainable Ranching Initiative (SRI), based in the Great Plains. SRI works with ranchers, Tribal communities, partner organizations, and public agencies to conserve one of the world's most threatened grassland ecosystems by advancing sustainable grazing systems, improving ranch viability, and restoring wildlife habitat across working landscapes. The program combines technical assistance, conservation incentives, ecological monitoring, and collaborative partnerships to support durable conservation outcomes on privately managed working lands.

The Specialist will serve as the operational lead for the Ranch Infrastructure Fund (RIF), coordinating the successful delivery of conservation infrastructure projects across the Great Plains. The position oversees project workflows from application through closeout, develops and maintains program systems and standard operating procedures, coordinates with SRI field staff, ranchers, consultants, engineers, contractors, and partner organizations, and serves as the primary liaison between SRI and WWF Program Operations. The Specialist ensures conservation projects are delivered consistently, efficiently, and in compliance with WWF policies and funding requirements while continuously improving program processes and supporting implementation across the broader SRI.
Key Responsibilities
Program Delivery & Conservation Implementation

- Serve as the primary coordinator for WWF's RIF, overseeing conservation infrastructure projects from application through implementation, reimbursement, amendments, and project closeout.

- Coordinate project implementation across SRI staff to ensure consistent application of program standards, timelines, funding requirements, and conservation objectives.

- Review project proposals, budgets, maps, supporting documentation, and implementation plans.

- Coordinate implementation activities with NRCS, consultants, technical service providers, engineering firms, and other partners.

Program Operations & Internal Coordination

- Serve as a primary liaison between the SRI and WWF Program Operations staff, coordinating contracting, procurement, reimbursement, compliance reviews, agreement execution, and other internal administrative processes.

- Coordinate with WWF Finance, Legal, Program Operations, and other WWF teams to resolve implementation challenges.

- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, templates, guidance documents, and internal resources.

- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve databases, project tracking systems, dashboards, and workflows.

- Support other business processes as needed, including ranch enrollments, restoration projects, and educational events.

- Support administration of projects funded through multiple public and private funding sources, including Regional Conservation Partnership Program through NRCS.

- Compile program metrics to support grant reporting, fundraising, and program evaluation.

- Support proposal development with budget and implementation information.

- Conduct occasional field visits to verify project implementation.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies

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Project management – effectively manages multiple concurrent conservation projects while balancing timelines, budgets, and multiple priorities

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Cross-team collaboration – builds productive relationships across WWF teams and externally with ranchers, consultants, contractors, and partners

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Detail-oriented – maintains high accuracy across repetitive tasks when working on contracts, budgets, project documents, and compliance obligations

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Independent problem solving – develops and implements practical solutions, often independently, improves efficiency and consistency