PUBLIC LANDS DEFENSE FELLOW

Overview 

Friends of the Inyo seeks a Public Lands Defense Fellow to assist with an effective campaign to defend public lands located in California’s Eastern Sierra. These lands are under attack from deregulation and industrialized extraction, among other threats.

Activities 

• Assist with developing and executing campaign plans and other initiatives to protect public lands from Trump administration and other attacks (selloff, budget and staff cuts, repeal of protections etc).
• Assist with developing appropriate messaging for diverse stakeholder/constituent groups
• Assist with developing and executing  communication plans that elevate the voices of pro-public lands stakeholder groups. These groups will include Friends of the Inyo partners, visitors to the Eastern Sierra, traditional supporters of environmental conservation, local tribes, business, recreation and rural communities, and non-traditional recreation users such as anglers, hunters, rockhounds and OHV users;
• Organize events to support public lands defense initiatives locally and in coalition with larger regional efforts in the Sierra
• Organize stakeholder and constituent groups to attend meetings and other events, write electronic and traditional communications, and make phone calls to show their support for public land protection initiatives
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including the Eastern Sierra business and recreation communities, to serve as pro-public lands spokespeople

Requirements 

The successful Public Lands Defense Fellow will have some experience in:

• Public lands or other social or environmental cause advocacy
• Community organizing
• Building coalitions
• Drafting traditional and electronic communications, including newsletters, and calls to action
• Working with electeds and their staff at the local, state and national level
• Working with diverse communities
• Bachelor’s degree and knowledge specific to public lands and/or the Eastern Sierra a plus. Spanish language skills are desirable.
• Valid drivers license required. Frequent local travel and occasional regional travel required.
• Residency in the Eastern Sierra (Mono or Inyo Counties, California) required.

This position is part of the Wyss Fellows Program. Wyss Fellowships are two years in duration offering training and mentorship to those who have potential to become future conservation leaders. Recent environmental graduates with some experience or those early in their conservation careers are encouraged to apply.

Compensation for the position will be based on qualifications and experience, in the range of $23 to $26 hourly. This is a full-time, non-exempt, two-year temporary position reporting to the Executive Director. This is a hybrid in office/work from home position. Benefits include flexible schedule, remote hours available, work from home office stipend, paid holidays and vacation time, outdoor industry pro-deal access, and 3% match to retirement account.