Local recruitment: Program Manager, Babbitt Center

Phoenix, Arizona

Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy – Babbitt Center / Regular / Hybrid

Our Mission

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. With locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix; and Beijing, we organize our work around six goals: low-carbon, climate-resilient communities and regions; efficient and equitable tax systems; reduced poverty and spatial inequality; fiscally healthy communities and regions; sustainably managed land and water resources; and functional land markets and reduced informality. 

The Babbitt Center and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, seeks to advance the integration of land and water management to meet the current and future water needs of Colorado River Basin communities, economies, and the environment. We develop tools and best practices to guide decisions through research, training, and partnerships for sustainable management of land and water resources in the Colorado Basin and beyond.

The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy is looking for a Program Manager in Phoenix, Arizona.  The individual in this position is expected to conduct research, develop and support partnerships and networks, manage contracts with partners, and disseminate the results of Babbitt Center work.  The Program Manager will also be expected to take a leadership role on several Babbitt Center initiatives and to provide other support as assigned for both the Babbitt Center and for the larger Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. 

This is a full-time position that reports to the Associate Director for Research within the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy. This position will be in the Lincoln Institute Phoenix office and requires up to 10% travel, primarily throughout the western U.S. with occasional national and international travel. 

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct research, policy analysis and program evaluations. Some of which might include: developing datasets, indicators, and metrics to track Colorado River Basin water and land conditions to illustrate needs and opportunities through periodic assessments.
• Advance planning tools and strategies to support smart land and water integration in planning, decision making, and land and water management.
• Find and/or use techniques for addressing uncertainty, including adaptive management approaches.
• Show pathways to resilient futures for water, food, and agriculture.
• Author and edit Lincoln Institute Policy Focus Reports, working papers, and other publications, including technical reports and public information documents.
• Design and develop mapping and data products in support of Babbitt Center projects and publications, and maintain internal and external repositories of source datasets.
• Manage contracts for research, training, or demonstration projects.
• Regularly give conference and workshop presentations on research results and more generally on behalf of the Babbitt Center.
• Represent the Babbitt Center on regional and national groups, such as the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and the American Planning Association (APA) Water and Planning Network.
• Contribute to the overall success of the Babbitt Center by participating in strategy sessions; establishing and maintaining strong relationships with practitioners, policy makers, and researchers; building the credibility and relevance of the Babbitt Center; and representing the Babbitt Center at professional meetings.
• Serve on Lincoln Institute staff committees.
• Perform other ad hoc tasks as requested.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Graduate degree in natural resources management, planning, geography, sustainability, public policy, or related field preferred
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience working on land and/or water policy and management or related fields. Public agency/practitioner experience preferred.
• Strong data management and analysis skills, including familiarity with – and/or aptitude and interest in learning – relevant tools and platforms such as Esri geospatial products (e.g., ArcGIS, StoryMaps, Experience Builder), Tableau, RStudio, and Amazon Web Services.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the advancement of integrated water policy and land use,
• Demonstrated outstanding writing, research, and presentation skills.
• Highly organized; strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Sensitivity to the needs of practitioners, researchers, government agencies, public and elected officials, nongovernmental organizations, and private sector interests,
• Ability to discern and communicate important knowledge in useful formats,
• Self-starter; able to work independently, prioritize and multi-task; focus on delivering results,
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills,
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

$72,000 – $85,000 a year

Salary is dependent upon education and experience

Our Values

We support a culture of forthright feedback, initiative, cooperation and teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and accepting responsibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.