Program Officer

Position: Program Officer

Department: Environment

Reporting to: Senior Program Officer, Water Governance and Legal Protections

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Washington, D.C.; Denver, CO

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in this role and your relevant experience with environmental law and water protections.

The Walton Family Foundation is seeking a skilled, highly motivated, and collaborative individual to join the Foundation as a Program Officer. The ideal teammate will have the demonstrated ability to manage relationships with grantees, execute complex projects, and contribute to strategy implementation. This role is ideal for candidates with expertise in the Clean Water Act who want to apply legal strategy through philanthropy to strengthen environmental protections.

About the Position

The Program Officer will help manage a diverse portfolio of local, regional, and national grantees, as well as support strategic projects and initiatives in service of the Environment Program’s Strategy goals, with a focus on strategic action under federal law [AS1] to protect water resources.. The Program Officer will work collaboratively with team members and partners to ensure improved water protections help people and nature thrive together.

What you will do

The Program Officer will manage grantmaking processes, partnerships, and strategic projects that advance the Foundation’s environmental goals.

Responsibilities

• Track, analyze, and interpret federal and state environmental laws and regulatory developments that influence philanthropic strategy and grantmaking priorities.
• Advise on legal risk, strategic opportunities, and implications of grants
• Shape legal and regulatory strategy to support foundation objectives.
• Evaluate grantee strategies advancing Clean Water Act implementation or modernization.
• Manage relationships with grantees and potential grantees, including conducting due diligence and aligning proposals with the water governance and legal protection strategy.
• Guide proposals through the Foundation’s approval process and provide ongoing support to grantees to ensure measurable impact.
• Assist grantees in developing and implementing monitoring, reporting, and funding strategies.
• Support senior staff with materials, grantee convenings, and learning opportunities.
• Review budgets and reports, monitor progress, and coordinate with administrative teams to ensure timely payments and compliance.
• Identify and develop new partnerships, funding opportunities, and collaborations to improve protection of water resources.
• Collaborate across the Environment Program, including with evaluation and communications teams, to refine and expand impact.
• Contribute to cross-program initiatives, helping align work with broader Foundation priorities.
• Support other projects as requested by the Environment team, Foundation leadership, or family members.

Who we are looking for

Skills needed

• Relationship management and partnership development
• Research and legal analysis
• Grantmaking and due diligence
• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Financial and budget analysis
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Collaboration and teamwork

Qualifications required for your success

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum five years of professional experience in environmental or administrative law, regulatory strategy, or a related field.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience translating complex legal concepts for non-lawyers.
• Strong verbal communication skills, with experience presenting complex issues to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and accountability.

Additional Helpful Experience Includes

• Relevant master’s or juris doctor degree
• Specialized knowledge of state and federal environmental quality laws, such as the Clean Water Act
• Track record advising on complex legal issues in public policy, environmental law, or administrative law.
• Experience evaluating the quality of legal arguments made by others, including collaborators or litigation adversaries.
• Familiarity with philanthropic or nonprofit grantmaking processes.
• Experience managing program evaluations or performance metrics.

Personal attributes that support your success

• Approaches challenges with curiosity, bold thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning and innovation
• Bring a solutions-first mindset, framing problems clearly, exploring practical options, and driving towards outcomes.
• Collaborates respectfully and effectively with others, contributing to a supportive team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrates discretion, integrity, and expertise while serving as a trusted advisor to principals and colleagues.
• Maintains a strong focus on results, consistently exercising sound judgment and decision-making.
• Committed to excellence and actively engages with others to accomplish shared goals.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

Benefits Information

Compensation Range: $142,000 - $178,000

Benefits Information: We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401 (k) retirement plan and paid time off.

About Walton Family Foundation

We are a family-led organization, supporting multiple generations of Sam and Helen

Walton’s family.

We value trust, mutual respect, and a workplace where every associate belongs and can do their best work. We bring together talented people with different backgrounds and viewpoints, support their growth, and empower them to contribute meaningfully.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.