- Lead and/or advocate for Defenders' primary positions related to imperiled species, in particular wolf and grizzly bear recovery, as well as protection and restoration of key wildlife habitat across the Pacific Northwest.
- Identify and advocate for principles, goals, objectives, positions and management practices that promote the ecologically functional recovery of imperiled species based on the best available science.
- Liaise with state wildlife agencies, fish and wildlife commissions and governors' offices to educate and inform decision-makers about the need and purpose of imperiled species recovery as a priority.
- Shape and advocate for various management directives required to affect recovery in reasonable time frames to achieve stated recovery goals and provide testimony in public for these as needed.
- Engage with specialized working groups in either state as opportunities arise to achieve imperiled species recovery.
- Provide support and information as needed to other Defenders' staff, programs and departments (Communications, Marketing, Development, Legal, Government Relations) related to Northwest Program priorities;
- Lead or support the implementation and expansion of coexistence tools in the Pacific Northwest:
- Identify and help implement targeted coexistence initiatives to increase social acceptance for gray wolves, grizzly bears, and other wildlife.
- Build partnerships with public and private landowners and tribes to improve and expand human-wildlife coexistence projects.
- Advocate for coexistence programs and funding at the local and state level through strategic engagement with wildlife and agricultural agencies, commissions, and legislatures.
- Work with other Northwest Program staff to mobilize a broader constituency for wildlife conservation and coexistence:
- Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice principles into Defenders' programmatic and outreach work in the Northwest.
- Establish and maintain effective collaborative relationships and partnerships with local conservation organizations, state and federal agencies and officials, Native American tribes, community organizations, and other stakeholders and foster local community leaders when the opportunity arises.
- Work closely with Defenders' Communications and Marketing staff to develop relevant local messaging and storytelling (through alerts, blogs, videos, publications, etc.) to promote Northwest Program priorities to a wide audience including rural and urban communities, current and prospective members, and decision makers.
- Work closely with Northwest Program outreach staff to engage and grow our regional base of members and supporters - including identifying how our programs can better include communities historically marginalized by the conservation movement.
- Work with Development staff to provide information to funders and help identify and develop potential sources of funding to support local coexistence work.
- Serve as a spokesperson for Defenders on wildlife conservation and coexistence in the Northwest; represent Defenders and Defenders' interests to the public, the media, and key decision-makers, and in working groups, committees, and processes.
- Engage with other Northwest Program and other Field Conservation Program staff to develop and execute conservation campaigns for gray wolves, grizzly bears and other species as assigned.
- Supervise contractors and volunteers as necessary.
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.
- Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
- Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service
- Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
- Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
- Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders' interests in external environments
- Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
- Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
- Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
- Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies into Defenders' work.
- Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
- Strategic thinker with the ability to take high-level strategy and translate into relatable points and action steps.
- Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments.
- Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests.
- Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues.
- Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment.
- Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues.
- Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders' members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and /or the general public.
- Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate issues impacting Defenders' mission and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.
- Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.
- Expert-level knowledge of Defenders' legal, scientific, and/or political issues
- Expert-level knowledge of national and regional social, political, and ecological landscapes
- Ability to foster a team culture which models the tenets of the Commitment Statement
- Ability to connect employees and their work to Defenders' mission
- Ability to set and maintain clear expectations, ensuring clarity of roles, accountabilities, and responsibilities
- Ability to ensure that staff have the skills and support required to perform at the highest level
- Working knowledge of Defenders' business and people systems and processes
- Valid driver's license
- Advanced knowledge of natural resource conservation issues in the Pacific Northwest, including human-wildlife conflict prevention, state and federal endangered species policy (particularly related to predator species), human dimensions of wildlife management, best available science related to species status, distribution and threats and other pertinent aspects of conservation biology.
- Demonstrated ability to work constructively as a remote member of the Northwest team and to independently initiate project ideas and manage them through to completion with minimal supervision.
- Strong oral advocacy skills, superior writing and analytical/research skills with attention to detail to anticipate, share knowledge and make recommendations on practices and policy issues impacting wildlife.
- Experience with coalitions, convening diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities and productively working with opponents on environmental, land management and species- specific issues.
- Experience engaging with state wildlife agencies, Commissions and other state government offices in the Pacific Northwest to shape management practices, rule-making and recovery planning related to wolves.
- Experience with community building to elevate public awareness of issues and build a constituency for solutions.
- Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in response to rapid change and complex situations.
- Personal interest in and demonstrated commitment to wildlife conservation as well as the holistic success of the Program Team.
Senior Representative, Northwest Program - Washington, United States - Defenders of Wildlife
Description
Description
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Senior Representative, Northwest Program
CLASSIFICATION: Professional 4
SALARY: $70,000 - $78,000
FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Field Conservation
LOCATION: Home Office (Oregon or Washington state)
REPORTS TO: Senior Advisor, Northwest Program
NUMBER OF DIRECT/INDIRECT REPORTS: 0
LAST REVISED: February 2024
POSITION SUMMARY
This professional-level position is responsible for implementing assigned Defenders' strategic plan conservation goals and objectives in the Northwest, with a deep focus on wildlife conservation, helping to implement Defender's Strategic Plan and fulfill Defenders' mission to protect all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. Prioritizing imperiled species, the Senior Representative will work to further species protection, habitat conservation and human-wildlife coexistence goals in the Pacific Northwest by promoting the protection of important wildlife habitat, advocating for imperiled species conservation and supporting healthy native predator populations through human-predator coexistence and sound management policies. The Senior Representative will have a lead role in the organization's advocacy regarding wolf, grizzly bear and other imperiled species recovery in the Pacific Northwest. This is a full-time, nonsupervisory position with potential opportunities to manage contracts.
The Senior Representative will play a strong role in state-level policy planning in both Washington and Oregon to help ensure wildlife conservation is prioritized, in particular the robust recovery of imperiled species across the region. The Senior Representative will also engage in agency planning efforts with state boards and commissions, by reviewing proposals, drafting and submitting technical comments and, when appropriate, testifying and working to mobilize members and supporters to advance Defenders' positions. Depending on experience, the Senior Representative may lead the growth and evolution of the human-wildlife coexistence program in the Northwest with a focus on apex predators - primarily wolves and grizzly bears. Key strategies to achieve this goal involve community engagement through empowering and equipping communities with skills, implementing strategies and tools to reduce conflicts, and proactively developing, evaluating, improving and implementing coexistence initiatives. To do so, the Senior Representative will stay informed about emerging and cutting edge science, seek to identify and trial new technologies and science-led practices, advocate for government funding, prioritization and appropriate application of these initiatives, and promote improved wildlife conservation policies overall, especially pertaining to areas of chronic conflict and wildlife movement corridors.
Program strategies and objectives are achieved by collaborating with a variety of external partners, including state and federal agencies and officials, tribal governments, private landowners and individuals, and other conservation and community organizations requiring an ability to maintain productive working relationships with community leaders and decision makers, etc. This position requires up-to-date knowledge of natural resource conservation issues, such as human-wildlife conflict prevention, state and federal endangered species policy, human dimensions of wildlife management, best available science related to species status, distribution and threats and other pertinent aspects of conservation biology.
The Senior Representative serves both Washington and Oregon with travel throughout. The position will collaborate closely with the Northwest Senior Advisor and Senior Program Director to develop and implement a strategic program plan and set priorities, and, along with other Northwest staff, to implement and communicate outcomes. The Senior Representative may also collaborate with and/or lead inter-department and external working groups related to priority species conservation and coexistence for Defenders.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor's (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent
Experience: 6 years of relevant experience
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Professional 4
Administrative
Communication
Critical Thinking
Project Management
Coalition and Community Engagement
Conservation Knowledge
Leadership and Management
Other
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Senior Representative, Northwest Program
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical Activities
Check all that apply
Frequency
(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.
O
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
O
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
O
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
O
Adjusting or moving objects up to 50 pounds in all directions.
O
Communicating with others to exchange information.
C
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
C
Operating machinery and/or power tools.
O
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
O
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
O
Environmental Conditions
Check all that apply
Frequency
(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Low temperatures.
O
High temperatures.
O
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
O
Noisy environments.
N
Hazardous conditions.
O
Poor ventilation.
N
Small and/or enclosed spaces.
N
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Physical Demands
Check only one
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
X
Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.
Visit to apply.
All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Defenders of Wildlife requires employees who engage in in-person work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice may request an exemption from this vaccination policy. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.
Please be advised this position is union-eligible.