Policy Analyst, Land and Water

Policy Analyst, Land and Water

Salary Range $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 Salary Level Experienced Position Type Regular Full Time Education Level Graduate Degree Travel Percentage Up to 25% Category Program

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.

Team Overview

The Land and Water team of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy focuses on sustaining land, water, and other natural resources to support both human and ecosystem health. It works to integrate land and water considerations into planning and infrastructure, ensuring current and future needs are met while balancing competing demands among diverse stakeholders. By advancing policies and practices that restore biodiversity, protect watersheds, and improve soil health, the impact area promotes healthier ecosystems and more resilient communities.

The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy housed within the Land and Water impact area, seeks to advance the integration of land and water management to meet the current and future water needs of communities, economies, and the environment. We develop tools and best practices to guide outcomes through research, training, and partnerships for sustainable management of land and water resources.

Position Overview

The Policy Analyst will support the development and advancement of land and water policies that strengthen water policy, agricultural systems, and improve the stewardship of public lands. This role focuses on how policy, data, and management practices intersect to drive more sustainable, productive, and equitable outcomes across working lands and publicly managed landscapes.

The position emphasizes the role of water in agriculture, particularly how water availability, data, and governance shape land-use decisions. You will also explore opportunities to better align agricultural production with conservation, ecosystem services, and public land management.

This role will be based in our Phoenix, AZ office. This role requires between 10%- 25% travel, primarily domestically with limited international travel.

What You'll Do

• Research policies affecting agricultural water and land use, water management, and the stewardship of public lands.
• Analyze intersections between land policy, agricultural production, water allocation, conservation programs, and land use planning.
• Assess how data (e.g., water use, soil health, crop systems) can inform better policy and land management outcomes.
• Contribute to projects that link agricultural water use with broader land and water policy outcomes.
• Assist in designing pilot programs that integrate data-driven approaches into land and water policies, agricultural policy, and public lands policy.
• Engage with farmers, ranchers, public land managers, policymakers, water agencies, and other researchers.
• Support convenings, workshops, and collaborative efforts across agriculture and public lands communities.
• Help build partnerships that align agricultural productivity with conservation and public land stewardship goals.
• Contribute to thought leadership on agriculture, public lands, and land and water policy innovation.
• Translate technical and policy concepts into clear, accessible insights for decision makers.
• Perform other ad hoc tasks as requested.

What You Will Need

• 3-5 years of experience working on land or water policy and management or related fields.
• Undergraduate degree in public policy, environmental science, natural resources, urban planning, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to advancing water policy and land use integration
• Demonstrated outstanding writing, research, and presentation skills
• Highly organized with 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 who can work independently and still coordinate with multiple teams
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and focus on delivering results
• Strong…