Washington Conservation Action (WCA) seeks experienced candidates who are excited to lead our work on forest practices and Washington State’s Adaptive Management Program (AMP). The AMP plays a central role in evaluating and adjusting timber harvest rules on Washington’s 9.3 million acres of private forestlands subject to the Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The AMP’s goals are compliance with the Endangered Species Act for aquatic and riparian species, restoring and maintaining riparian habitat to support a harvestable supply of fish, meeting the Clean Water Act requirements for water quality, and maintaining a viable timber industry.

The Forests & Fish Program Senior Manager plays a pivotal role by representing the conservation community externally at a multi-stakeholder table, and by collaborating with the Conservation Caucus. The Conservation Caucus’ objective is to ensure strong, science-based forest practices protecting fish and clean water. The Program Senior Manager negotiates policy recommendations with other caucuses within the Policy Committee of the AMP: eastside Tribes, westside Tribes, industrial timber, small forest landowners, counties, DNR, Department of Ecology, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This position offers a unique opportunity to ensure strong protection of our state’s forests and aquatic resources.

About Our Organization

Washington Conservation Action is a statewide environmental advocacy organization advancing environmental policies and pushing for actions that equitably address climate pollution, restore Puget Sound, sustain our state’s forests, and protect our democracy.

Washington Conservation Action is a 501(c4) nonprofit organization. Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is our 501(c3) nonprofit partner organization. Together, we advance a shared vision for Washington state where nature and people live in balance for the flourishing of all.

Washington Conservation Action is based in downtown Seattle. Most of our team of nearly 50 work in a flexible hybrid model with staff in the office typically two days a week (or 40% of the time over the course of a month on average) for collaboration and celebration. The remainder of our staff are considered fully remote, since they live outside the greater Puget Sound area but within Washington. All staff members have access to tools and systems to support work from home, whether hybrid or remote. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference. We are committed to a diverse, socially just, and welcoming work environment. People of color, people with varying abilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply. We continue to advance the application of a racial equity lens to our work. We are led by a CEO who is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon.

Responsibilities

Serve as Policy Lead for the Conservation Caucus in the Adaptive Management Program (AMP) (85%)

• Serve as the official Conservation Caucus representative to the Timber, Fish, and Wildlife (TFW) Policy Committee and participate in Policy subgroups as necessary.
• Develop Conservation Caucus proposals and positions through review of materials, research, and engagement with experts and other caucuses.
• Coordinate the Conservation Caucus by facilitating meetings and decision-making, as well as sharing information and analysis.
• Prepare and present Caucus input on AMP issues to the TFW Policy Committee and the Forest Practices Board.
• Support the Forest Practices Board member representing the conservation community.
• Support Conservation Caucus Principals in meetings and high-level engagement.
• Communicate regularly with DNR, Ecology, WDFW, representatives of Tribal governments, landowners, and the timber industry.
• Prepare the Caucus’ annual AMP work plan and budget in collaboration with Caucus members and science representatives.
• Manage the budget and work plan execution in alignment with Caucus direction and goals.
• Manage contractors who serve as scientific experts supporting the Conservation Caucus.
• Prepare proposals for funding, develop quarterly financial invoices to DNR and narrative reports, monitor expenditures, and prepare budget forecasting in a timely manner.
• Contribute to WCA’s annual State of our Forests and Public Lands Report.
• Support WCA’s annual Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference.
• Provide external updates about Forests & Fish to interested stakeholders.
• Monitor and provide analysis on legislative efforts and campaigns related to forest practices.

Coordinate with staff across WCAEF and WCA to strengthen and communicate Forest Program work (10%)

• Coordinate with WCA’s policy and political programs to identify synergies and opportunities between programs and offer expertise in support of campaigns.
• Work with WCA’s Communications team to communicate the Forest Program’s work in an effective and compelling way.
• Work with WCA’s development team to support fundraising efforts.
• Commit to WCA’s racial equity action plan and incorporate racial equity principles and goals into your day-to-day responsibilities and interactions.
• Help foster a positive and inclusive work environment and actively participate in trainings and mentorship opportunities.

Administrative (5%)

• Adhere to organizational administrative procedures such as timely submission of reimbursements, entering time tracking in Rippling HRIS, travel planning, and submitting credit card receipts from the organization’s credit card within 48 hours of the charge.
• Assist with organizational fundraising, which might include attending events, promoting to your networks, assistance prior to and during events as needed,
• Active participation on a racial equity team, which includes taking on work that is outlined in our five-year racial equity action plan to advance the organization’s goals.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental sciences, natural resources, public administration, or a related field and at least 3 -5 years related experience.
• Commitment to environmental protection, and principles of racial, social, and economic justice.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain professional working relationships with diverse stakeholders notwithstanding policy disagreements.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills to ensure consistent and precise transmission of perspectives and ideas verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to perform confidently and comfortably in high-conflict situations and dynamic environments. 
• Experience with Tribal communities and understanding of Tribal Treaty Rights, issues of sovereignty, and other Indigenous issues.
• Experience managing programs or projects, and familiarity with budgeting and work plan development.
• Demonstrated understanding of riparian ecosystems, forest management, and basic understanding of salmon life cycle and habitat needs.
• Excellent organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and good judgment.

Desirable Skills

• Experience managing contractors.
• Technical or direct policy experience with forest regulatory issues, which may include habitat protection, water quality, roadbuilding, landslides, and forest chemical application.
• Familiarity with the legal and policy framework for the Washington Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan and its associated Adaptive Management Program.
• Ability to understand the larger historical, social, economic, and political context of forestry regulation in Washington.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary of $73,000.

We also offer a generous benefits package including 100% employer paid medical and dental insurance premiums, 401k plan and organizational match of up to 3% of your annual salary, a Flexible Spending Account, ample paid vacation and sick leave, thirteen paid holidays per year, an unlimited ORCA transit pass, budgeted funds for professional development, and if you work for five consecutive years you are eligible for a two-month paid sabbatical. We welcome new and diverse people to a great team who together shape environmental protection in Washington.

Location Information

This position is hybrid (minimum of 40% in the Seattle office) but we will consider an option for being fully remote for those located within Washington State, but outside of mass transit options to our Seattle office. We anticipate this job will involve regular travel to Olympia and other locations for in-person meetings and staff gatherings at the discretion of the supervisor.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

This job requires frequent sitting. Must be able to conduct business in English, though fluency in other languages is welcomed. For remote work, employees must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work during scheduled work hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform functions essential to the duties of the position. Washington Conservation Action and Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is a unionized employer represented by Communications Workers of America Local 7800. This is a represented position.