This professional position is responsible for advancing Defenders of Wildlife’s legislative and administrative interests before Congress, the Administration and the media. Issue priorities are drawn from Defenders’ current priorities, including endangered species; wildlife; climate change; public lands; and related appropriations issues. Most immediately, a primary focus will be on legislation relating to the Endangered Species Act and endangered species. Responsibilities include: legislative analysis; development of advocacy materials including legislative reviews, reports, fact sheets, talking points, testimony and hearing questions; direct lobbying; developing legislative and advocacy campaign strategies; leading and/or participating in inter-departmental campaign teams; leading and/or representing Defenders’ interests in national issue-based coalitions; helping lead internal and coalition efforts to formulate legislative strategy and manage advocacy projects; working with and monitoring Congressional committees; obtaining legislative and political information; and generally assisting the advocacy work of Defenders’ Government Relations and External Affairs division.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Play a leading role in rapidly analyzing and/or facilitating Defenders’ timely review of legislation relating to the Endangered Species Act and/or other issues.

In assigned issue areas, develop advocacy materials summarizing legislative reviews, policy analysis and organizational positions including charts, fact sheets, reports, talking points, bill and amendment drafting, testimony and hearing questions.

Advance Defenders’ legislative/administrative goals for assigned issues through direct lobbying, coalition participation and meetings with federal agency officials

Employing sound political judgment, build an effective network of congressional, coalition and public support to advance assigned issues

Utilizing strong legislative judgment, identify and implement effective legislative/administrative strategies and projects to advance assigned issues

Continually marshal, leverage, and organize inter-departmental and, where possible, external resources on assigned legislative/administrative issues through ongoing campaign planning, project management, team building, and coalition leadership

Implement, as appropriate, various aspects of issue campaigns through activities including: direct and grassroots lobbying materials development; action alert drafting; testimony and public presentations; media representation; project management, and drafting press materials and legislatively focused Web content

Closely monitor legislative developments in assigned issues and disseminate timely information about those issues throughout the organization

Provide timely responses to requests for progress reports, funding proposals, budgets and other information requested by departments including: Government Relations, Communication, Online, Membership, and Development

Contribute to the development of Defenders of Wildlife’s legislative Report Card through activities by identifying potential votes and drafting vote descriptions

Effectively contribute to Defenders’ positive image on Capitol Hill, with outside organizations, and in the media

Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent in Natural Resources, Public Policy, Law, Biology, Education, or related discipline. Advanced degree in law or natural resources policy strongly preferred.

Experience: 4+ years experience conducting legal and/or policy reviews of legislation, preferably as it relates to natural resources, wildlife or endangered species issues. Capitol Hill or other legislative experience, preferably involving natural resource issues. Experience working with wildlife conservation issues and knowledge of federal resource agencies, laws, treaties and policies dealing with use and conservation of natural resources. Political experience, judgment and sensitivity, including a thorough understanding of lobbying, resource and appropriations committees, budget process and federal legislative procedures and grassroots targeting. Experience developing, implementing, and managing legislative and advocacy campaigns preferred.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Other:

Ability to conduct research, analyze information, and rapidly produce quality work products in a consistent, efficient, and timely manner

Strong writing, media, and verbal communications skills

Ability to effectively lead and/or represent Defenders’ interests in national issue coalitions

Other relevant experience with public policy, education, grassroots organizing, communications, editing, and/or development

Ability to work effectively as part of Defenders’ legislative and administrative advocacy teams and project management skills necessary to coordinate timely reviews from Defenders’ staff

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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

General office working conditions, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

VALUES AND DIVERSITY:

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.

SALARY RANGE:

Up To $73,000

How To Apply

Interested applicants should complete an application for employment. Please reference Government Relations Senior Legislative Analyst in your subject line and submit your completed application, a letter of interest and resume to us via e-mail at: HR@defenders.org.