Organizational Background:

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is North America’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. With chapters throughout Canada and the United States, BHA seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting.

Now, more than ever before, we need wild lands: places that offer solitude and challenge to rekindle the fire at the heart of the human soul. And leading the charge to conserve those places is BHA. As an employee of BHA, you’ll be standing up for these places and for the outdoor access opportunities they represent.

Description:

BHA is hiring a full-time, Policy and Government Relations Manager or Senior Manager to proactively track and manage organizational responses to legislative or administrative actions related to public lands and waters conservation. As a result, this position will play a critical role in advancing opportunities to enhance public access, fish and wildlife habitat, fair chase opportunities, and the future of our hunting and fishing heritage. The Policy and Government Relations Manager or Senior Manager will achieve this by fostering BHA’s relationships with members of Congress and other decision-makers, advancing our legislative priorities on Capitol Hill and with the Administration, and by developing and implementing strategies that harness the power of BHA’s grassroots advocacy network.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work in a collaborative setting with BHA’s staff on policy issues in Washington, D.C., related to public lands, hunting, fishing, public access, fair chase and management of fish, wildlife, and associated habitat.
• Strengthen and manage relationships with congressional staff and help facilitate collaborative efforts in the Administration, including at the Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Council on Environmental Quality, and the White House.
• Provide insights and analysis on federal legislation and public policy initiatives relevant to BHA’s mission.
• Represent BHA on key coalitions and work with conservation partners to advance strategies that advance our priorities.
• Collaborate with BHA field staff and chapters to engage hunters and anglers in congressional advocacy efforts including orchestrating in-person or virtual fly-ins, scheduling meetings with members of Congress, and helping develop policies and positions related to legislation and public policy.
• Collaborate with BHA’s Marketing and Communications staff to communicate priorities and engagement opportunities to members and supporters via blogs, emails, alerts on our Take Action center and other media channels.
• Work in close collaboration with BHA’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications staff to develop media/press statements responding to policy matters and engage in media opportunities, such as talking to reporters.
• Provide high level guidance to staff and chapters as they develop legislative updates and state-based communications on federal issues.
• Support BHA programs and campaigns including drafting and editing grant proposals and reports, legislative talking points, state-specific factsheets, and other resources as needed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with select funders /grant managers and coordinate with relevant staff on execution and reporting.

Qualifications

• Must be a hunter and/or angler.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours and travel periodically.
• Must have at least 4 years of experience working on Capitol Hill, in an Administration or in a legislative advocacy role.
• Must have a thorough understanding of congressional/legislative processes.
• The ideal candidate has existing relationships with key congressional offices and decision-makers.
• Must be self-motivated and have the initiative and ability to work independently and remotely.
• Must have the ability to assist in the development of national policy positions and communicate with diverse stakeholders (e.g., elected officials, hunters and anglers, landowners, livestock producers and professionals from state and federal agencies, conservation partners and other non-governmental organizations).
• Must be an analytical thinker with the ability to work cooperatively in a team environment and coordinate with other BHA staff, sportsmen and conservation partners.
• Must conduct work with integrity, good humor, and focus on forging partnerships, building trust, and maintaining professional relationships long-term.
• A college degree with relevant experience, as well as strong writing skills, are
• Must have a valid U.S. driver's license.

BHA is headquartered in Missoula, Montana. We offer a stimulating and fun work environment, health insurance and 401K plan match, generous leave package including annual time off for backcountry hunting/fishing, and discounts with BHA corporate partners.

Starting Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 for a Manager and $70,000 - $85,000 for a Senior Manager, depending on experience. Title and compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications and experience level, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Location: Must live in Washington, D.C. and be able to attend meetings on Capitol Hill regularly.