POSITION SUMMARY

This professional-level position works collaboratively with the Alaska program staff and is responsible for developing, overseeing, and implementing assigned Defenders’ Alaska strategic work plan conservation policy objectives that help implement Defenders’ National Strategic Plan.  Working closely with the Alaska Program Director and Alaska Policy Advisor, the position focus is to conserve threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), ensure the protection of important wildlife habitat and conservation of Alaska federal public lands and waters, and, where possible, advance climate solutions.  Conservation priorities include working to: 1) Protect, conserve and restore imperiled species, and work to improve management and expand their habitats, in particular within priority public lands and waters, such as Bureau of Land Management lands, national wildlife refuges, national forests, the Arctic Ocean and Cook Inlet, and for at-risk species; 2) Ensure that Alaska’s federal lands and waters remain intact and well-managed by federal land management agencies; and 3) integrate best available science, including climate science and wildlife adaptation considerations, into landscape-scale planning and project-level decision-making in Defenders’ priority areas.  This position fulfills Defenders’ mission to protect all native animals and plants in their natural communities and helps to implement the goals of Defenders Strategic Plan, including reaching and engaging diverse partners. This is a full-time position with potential supervisory opportunities to oversee contracts, interns and volunteers.

Program strategies and objectives are achieved by effectively collaborating with a variety of external partners, including federal and state agencies and officials, tribal governments and Alaska Native organizations, conservation and community organizations and private landowners, when appropriate. This position requires knowledge and experience in policy and advocacy in a broad array of Alaska natural resource conservation issues such as wildlife and endangered species policy, Alaska federal and state land and water management policy, landscape level planning, and/or conservation biology.  It requires familiarity with key stakeholders and organizations engaged in conserving Alaska’s natural resources, and with the relevant science and best practices pertaining to the issues.

The Alaska Senior Representative serves the Alaska region and collaborates closely with the Alaska Director and Alaska Policy Advisor to develop strategy and set priorities, and along with other Alaska staff, implement and communicate outcomes. The Senior Representative will also collaborate with other Defenders departments (e.g. Center for Conservation Innovation, Landscape Conservation, Conservation Law, Communications, Government Relations) and lead inter-department and external working groups and campaigns when needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Defenders’ Alaska work plan to achieve work plan goals and benchmarks in collaboration with other organization staff.
• Serve as Defenders’ lead staff on conservation campaigns and initiatives such as those to protect landscapes such as the Arctic, Kenai and Izembek National Wildlife Refuges; Tongass National Forest; and National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska; or listed species such as polar bears, ringed and bearded seals, Cook Inlet belugas, northern sea otters and others (areas of specific focus DOE).
• Design and implement advocacy campaigns to further program goals.
• Recommend and facilitate species restoration and recovery efforts and on-the-ground conservation projects as appropriate, incorporating best available science.
• Identify and respond to emerging conservation threats and opportunities.
• In coordination with the Alaska Policy Advisor:
• Provide policy analysis and development to support campaign goals,
• Provide written comments and oral testimony on proposed projects and actions.
• Engage in Defenders inter-departmental teams where appropriate to achieve national conservation priorities.
• Coordinate with other Defenders staff regarding litigation when appropriate and providing technical support.
• Participate in direct and grassroots lobbying of the U.S. Congress or state legislature, and advocate with federal and state agencies as necessary and appropriate.
• Build working relationships with decisionmakers when possible.
• Actively engage with Defenders’ Communications and Marketing staff to develop outreach products such as media statements, social media posts, email alerts, blogs, videos, fact sheets, opinion pieces, Defenders magazine articles and other communications as needed to advance campaign goals.
• Serve as spokesperson for Defenders, representing the organization’s interests to the public, the media, and key decision-makers, and in working groups, committees, and processes.
• Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice strategies into Defenders’ programmatic and outreach work in Alaska.
• Assist and advise the Alaska Program Director regarding program plan development and conservation problem-solving.
• Work with Alaska outreach staff to ensure that public lands and wildlife campaigns reach diverse audiences and help to engage and grow our state and regional membership.
• Establish, maintain and expand the number of effective relationships and partnerships with relevant conservation and Alaska Native partners and other stakeholders to achieve Alaska conservation plan and goals.
• Work with Defenders’ national headquarters staff to provide information to donors to help identify and develop potential sources of funding to support Defenders’ priorities.
• Supervise volunteers, interns and/or contractors as appropriate / needed.
• Submit timely and complete accounting of activities and expenses.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent; advanced degree preferred

Experience: 6 years of relevant experience

At least 2 years’ experience in Alaska wildlife, policy and laws, preferred

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

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

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.

Defenders requires employees who engage in in-person work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice may request an exemption from this vaccination policy. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

The posting that of this job is not open to applicants based in Montana.