Senior Policy Analyst, Federal Lands (Refuge Systems Defense)

Basic Summary:

This professional-level position is responsible for managing Defenders of Wildlife’s advocacy efforts to promote and defend the National Wildlife Refuge System as the nation’s premier network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Track and respond to administrative and legislative actions that affect the integrity of the National Wildlife Refuge System and/or individual refuges, concentrating on effects to federally protected species, key species and other at-risk fish and wildlife within priority landscapes.
• Lead and coordinate Defenders’ efforts to oppose and defeat the current administration’s agenda to diminish or eliminate wildlife protections within the Refuge System as part of the organization’s broader Wildlife Defense Campaign.
• Lead and coordinate efforts to capitalize on conservation opportunities presented in new policy initiatives focused on the Refuge System.
• Serve as Defenders’ expert point of contact on Refuge System policy issues with external interests, the news media, coalitions and policymakers.
• Develop Defenders’ positions on Refuge System policy issues. Produce white papers, reports, blogs and other information and communications products for advocacy purposes.
• Coordinate Defenders’ response to regulatory and project-level actions affecting the Refuge System and individual units.
• Provide support to Defenders’ staff on Refuge System policy issues.
• Work closely with the Conservation Law department to develop litigation to challenge unlawful actions associated with the Refuge System.
• Support Field Conservation programs to conserve key species on Refuge System lands within priority landscapes.
• Inform and mobilize citizen activists, including Defenders’ members and supporters, to support conservation within the Refuge System. 
• Cultivate, maintain and grow positive working relationships with federal agency officials, congressional staff, and partners to further Defenders’ conservation objectives for the Refuge System.
• Represent Defenders in public meetings, hearings, press events, conferences, coalitions, and in general communications with public officials, legislators, the media, Defenders’ membership, the donor community, and the general public. 
• Inform and mobilize citizen activists, including Defenders’ members and supporters and Wildlife eNews subscribers, on refuge issues.
• Work with Development staff to raise operating funds for Defenders’ Refuge System program area.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:Education:

Advanced degree in environmental/public policy, conservation biology, natural resources management, natural resources law, or related discipline.

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible experience is required in at least one of the following areas:

• Federal lands management policy or planning;
• Developing, implementing and evaluating programs to conserve biodiversity;
• Implementing public land management policy programs for non-profit organizations.

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

Skills:

In addition, the candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience with policy analysis and research methods;
• Experience working with federal land management agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Refuge System;
• Knowledge of laws, regulations and policies that govern federal land management;
• Existing relationships with federal agency staff and other policymakers and stakeholders with an interest in the management of public lands;
• Interdisciplinary skills and practical experience in translating the best available science into policy and programmatic initiatives to conserve species and ecosystems;
• Experience with public speaking and other communications.
• Leadership skills and demonstrated ability to help guide the implementation of programs and/or initiatives affecting wildlife, natural resources, or habitat conservation;
• Excellent research, writing and verbal communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively with other staff members in an interdisciplinary team context;
• Self-starter and entrepreneurial, demonstrated ability to take initiative.

Work Expectations:Work Environment:

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

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.