Senior Representative, Government Relations
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Senior Government Relations Representative
GRADE: 26
SALARY: Up to $73,000
FLSA: Exempt
DIVISION/SITE: Headquarters, Washington DC
DEPARTMENT: Government Relations and External Affairs
REPORTS TO: Director of Legislative Affairs
LAST REVISED: July 2020
Basic Summary:
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; national wildlife refuges, national forests and public lands; and related appropriations issues. Responsibilities include: leading multi-group legislative campaigns involving direct lobbying; developing legislative strategies; leading and/or participating in inter-departmental campaign teams; leading and/or representing Defenders’ interests in national issue-based coalitions; helping to develop grassroots and communications and social media strategies; working with and monitoring Congressional committees; drafting reports, fact sheets and testimony; obtaining legislative and political information; and generally assisting the advocacy work of Defenders’ Government Relations and External Affairs department.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
· Play a leading role in clarifying and advancing Defenders’ legislative/administrative goals for assigned issues
· Lead and regularly work in coalitions with advocacy staff at partner organizations to strategize politically, craft messaging, determine legislative targets, and help determine resource allocations for national issue campaigns
· 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, legislative targeting, team building, and coalition leadership
· Implement, as appropriate, various aspects of issue campaigns through activities including: direct lobbying; coalition representation; legislative, policy and legal analysis; multi-party negotiations; bill drafting; direct and grassroots lobbying materials development; action alert drafting; testimony and public presentations; media representation; and drafting press materials and legislatively focused Web content, including developing and posting content to the Government Relations’ Twitter account.
· 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 preferred.
Experience:
· 4+ years of Capitol Hill or other legislative experience and/or education, 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 on a national level.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
Skills:
- Ability to conduct research, analyze information, and produce quality work products in a consistent, efficient, and timely manner
- 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 team
- Ability and willingness to model the tenets of Defenders’ Commitment Statement: Mission, Transparency, Respect & Trust, Appreciation, Empowerment & Accountability, Professional Growth, Fairness, Diversity, Safety, Work/Life Balance, and Pride.
- Demonstrates a willingness and ability to productively engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
- Ability to approach work in a collaborative and inclusive style, with a track record of working in a solutions-oriented manner. Ability to effectively address and manage conflict.
- Ability to work independently as needed, problem solve, and exercise sound decision-making skills in fluid environments to meet job expectations and achieve goals in an accurate and timely manner. Ability to effectively navigate through change and maintain flexibility.
- Ability to represent Defenders to external entities and the public in a professional manner while exercising tact, diplomacy, and discretion.
- Demonstrates a willingness and ability to productively engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
- Ability to effectively navigate through change and maintain flexibility
- Ability to effectively address and manage conflict
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and general computer literacy.
- Personal interest and commitment to conservation
Work Expectations and Environment:
General office working conditions, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so. This role may require occasional travel.
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 to perform the essential functions of the job.
Defenders of Wildlife embraces the values of fairness and equity in society – including our workplace and our movement. We are committed to providing a professional, fair and safe workplace free of harassment and discrimination. 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. More than co-workers, we are teammates and partners in our mutual goal of respecting our planet and all who live on it.
Visit Our Values and Diversity page to learn more about who we are and how we operate.
Application:
Interested applicants please apply with a cover letter through our careers portal at http://www.defenders.org/jobs
It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law, in all personnel actions.