GRADE: 24

SALARY: 50-60k

FLSA:  Exempt

DIVISION/SITE:  Seattle, OR Office, or Home Office in the following states: Oregon, Washington

DEPARTMENT:  Field Conservation

REPORTS TO:  Director, Northwest Program

LAST REVISED:  July 2019

Basic Summary:

This professional-level position is responsible for implementing assigned Defenders’ strategic plan conservation goals and strategies in the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on community engagement and coexistence initiatives that help people share the landscape – both rural and urban – with imperiled wildlife. Coexisting with wildlife is integral to Defenders’ mission to protect all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. To enable people and wildlife to share landscapes, Defenders empowers and equips communities with skills, strategies and tools to reduce conflicts that may occur with wildlife. Our goal is to foster transformation in human attitudes and how wildlife and people interact, from conflict to coexistence.

The Representative will lead the growth and evolution of our human-wildlife coexistence program in the Northwest, including engaging new and diverse communities, identifying and implementing new technologies, securing government funding for coexistence initiatives, and advocating for improved wildlife conservation policies. This position will require knowledge of natural resource conservation issues, such as human-wildlife conflict prevention, state and federal endangered species policy, human dimensions of wildlife management, and conservation biology. 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 other conservation and community organizations. This position will require the ability to establish productive working relationships with community leaders, decision makers, and conservation partners.

The Representative will travel throughout the region as necessary to implement coexistence program priorities and will collaborate closely with Northwest program staff. This position serves the entire Northwest region and may be based in Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, or other locations as appropriate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage, implement, and expand coexistence priorities in the Pacific Northwest:
  • Identify and implement targeted coexistence initiatives to increase social acceptance for wolves, grizzlies, and other wildlife.
  • Build partnerships with public and private landowners and tribes to improve and expand human-wildlife coexistence projects.
  • Promote pilot projects to test innovative technologies and conservation strategies for priority species and habitats.
  • Advocate for coexistence programs and funding at the local and state level through strategic engagement with wildlife agencies, commissions, and legislatures.
  • Provide support and information as needed to other Defenders’ staff, programs and departments related (communications, marketing, development, legal, government relations) related to coexistence work;
• Work with Northwest Program staff to mobilize a broader constituency for coexistence and wildlife conservation:
  • Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice principles into Defenders’ programmatic and outreach work in the Northwest.
  • Develop a network of experts and grassroots activists.
  • Cultivate local ambassadors to advocate for coexistence principles.
  • Establish effective collaborative relationships and partnerships with local conservation organizations, state and federal agencies and officials, Native American tribes, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
  • Work closely with communications and marketing staff to develop relevant local messaging and storytelling (through alerts, blogs, videos, publications, etc.) to promote coexistence 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 meet the needs of 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; represent Defenders and Defenders’ interests to the public, the media, and key decision-makers, and in working groups, committees, and processes.
• Assist Northwest Program staff with the development and successful implementation of conservation campaigns for key species such as gray wolves, grizzly bears, mesocarnivores and other species as assigned.
• Supervise contractors and volunteers as necessary.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

BA / BS degree (preference for Natural Resources or Public Policy disciplines). An advanced degree is preferred.

Experience:

4+ years of conservation advocacy, community engagement, coalition building, or other non-profit experience.

Skills:

• Demonstrated awareness of and experience with the concerns and needs of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Strong oral advocacy and verbal communications skills.
• Superior writing and research skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.Cosnerv
• Ability to independently initiate project ideas and manage them through to completion.
• Experience with coalitions and convening diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work productively with both colleagues and opponents.
• Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies and other organizations.
• Analytical skills to anticipate and make recommendations on policy issues impacting wildlife.
• 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 commitment to wildlife conservation.

Work Expectations:Work Environment:

• General office working conditions, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• Depending on location, this position will work either in the Northwest Program office in Seattle or from a home office. Negotiating a co-working space is also possible.
• Occasional weekend and evening work required.
• Regular travel throughout the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) is required.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so.

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.

About Defenders:

Defenders of Wildlife is a national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. Our employees work in an environment that is inclusive and honors each of our unique perspectives and backgrounds. We believe that the conservation of biological diversity is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and cultures.  We strive toward a collective goal of including all people in the conservation of our Nation’s wildlife and wild places.

Visit Our Values and Diversity page to learn more about who we are and how we operate.

It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law, in all personnel actions.