Policy Analyst & Communications Coordinator

About Western Landowners Alliance (WLA): Founded in 2012 WLA advances policies and practices that sustain working lands, connected landscapes, and native species. We envision a future in which private and public lands in the West are resilient to stressors, healthy and biologically diverse, and provide for thriving rural communities. WLA provides a collective voice, a peer network and a shared knowledge base for landowners striving to keep the land whole and healthy.

Position Overview: The Policy Analyst and Communications Coordinator supports WLA's public policy and communications objectives through policy research, analysis, monitoring, and the development of clear, compelling, and credible written communications. This role analyzes federal, state, and other public policy issues affecting working lands and translates complex legislative, regulatory, conservation, agriculture, and natural resource topics into practical information and communications for policymakers, funders, partners, members, media, and other key audiences.

Working closely with policy, communications, and program staff, this role researches and tracks policy developments; analyzes proposed legislation, regulations, and administrative actions; and helps develop organizational positions and recommendations. This role also drafts and edits issue briefs, comment letters, policy statements, talking points, opinion pieces, messaging guidance, web content, and other materials that articulate WLA's perspective and priorities. The role helps ensure WLA's policy engagement and public-facing communications are timely, well-informed, accurate, persuasive, practical, and grounded in the experiences of working lands and rural communities.

Amount of Time & Status: 40 hours a week, exempt, Monday-Friday.

Location: This position is remote but requires residency in the American West. Periodic travel will be required.

Reports to: Western Policy Manager

Compensation: $60,000-$75,000. Salary is commensurate with experience. Western Landowners Alliance offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, parental leave, medical leave, 403b retirement savings account with a discretionary match, life insurance, short and long-term disability benefits, and an employee assistance program.

Duties/Responsibilities Include:

• Monitor, research, and analyze federal, state, and other public policy developments affecting agriculture, conservation, working lands, wildlife, water, and natural resources, including proposed legislation, regulations, administrative actions, agency guidance, and relevant research.
• Synthesize policy developments and stakeholder perspectives to identify implications for WLA, its members, and organizational priorities and help inform the development of WLA policy positions.
• Prepare policy analyses, summaries, briefings, background materials, and recommendations to support organizational decision-making, policy engagement, and timely responses to emerging issues.
• Draft and edit policy and communications materials, including issue briefs, policy statements, comment letters, fact sheets, talking points, testimony, presentations, opinion pieces, web content, newsletters, and partner and media communications.
• Translate complex policy, legislative, regulatory, scientific, and technical information into clear, accessible, and compelling communications tailored to policymakers, agency officials, agricultural producers and landowners, conservation partners, funders, media, and the general public.
• Conduct source verification and fact checking, and edit materials developed by staff and organizational leaders to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, tone, and alignment with WLA's voice and policy positions.
• Develop and maintain messaging frameworks, key messages, and consistent organizational positioning for policy priorities, incorporating compelling stories and examples from working lands and rural communities where appropriate.
• Collaborate with policy, program, and communications staff to integrate policy priorities and developments into WLA's broader communications strategy, editorial calendar, digital channels, and media outreach.
• Maintain familiarity with WLA's policy priorities, relevant legislative and regulatory processes, and emerging issues affecting working lands and natural resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, communications, journalism, environmental studies, agriculture, natural resources, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Three (3) or more years of professional experience in public policy, policy analysis, government affairs, public affairs, policy communications, journalism, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to research and analyze legislation, regulations, administrative actions, or other complex public policy issues and synthesize findings into clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with demonstrated ability to make complex subjects understandable and compelling.
• Strong research, analytical, and fact-checking skills and an ability to quickly develop fluency in unfamiliar or evolving policy issues.
• Understanding of legislative, regulatory, and administrative processes and the roles of government agencies, policymakers, stakeholders, and advocacy organizations.
• Strong judgment and attention to nuance when communicating on issues involving diverse stakeholders and political perspectives.
• Ability to communicate policy analysis effectively across multiple formats and audiences, from internal briefings and concise talking points to detailed policy statements, comment letters, digital content, and opinion pieces.
• Collaborative working style and demonstrated ability to work effectively with policy experts, communications professionals, organizational leaders, and external partners.
• Familiarity with agriculture, conservation, working lands, natural resources, rural communities, or Western public policy is strongly preferred.
• Willingness and ability to maintain confidential information and work with diverse populations
• Strong technology literacy and adaptability, including the ability to learn and effectively use new software, digital tools, and collaborative platforms.

Working Environment/Physical Activities: Work environment is an office setting and outdoors. Physical activities include sitting at a desk and working on a keyboard and computer several hours a day; conducting business over the telephone and via email; standing for long periods of time; traveling long distances by air and vehicle (including traveling on unpaved roads), and operating recording/photography equipment in rugged/remote ranch and rangeland settings in various weather conditions. This position may also require moving organization materials weighing up to 25 pounds. This position also requires facilitation of meetings and interfacing professionally with the public.

Application Procedure: Please submit your resume and cover letter through our online portal. Please, no phone calls. Western Landowners Alliance values diversity and inclusivity and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all team members regardless of race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and age, among other areas. Candidates who bring such diversity are encouraged to apply.

Target start date: Immediately. Preference will be given to applications received by October 8, 2026