California Representative

Location: Sacramento, CA
Supervisor: Director of California Program

Position Description

This professional-level position is responsible for promoting and expanding the species program and operations and implementing assigned workplans for the California Program Office.  The primary responsibilities are to develop conservation objectives and strategies and work with other staff in implementing the overall goals of Defenders.  The position involves directing the California Desert Conservation Campaign, as well as starting up specific campaigns and working in areas involving climate change, species conservation, forest conservation, media, and fundraising.  Assignments are results- or goal-oriented, requiring substantial discretion on the part of the position in determining how to meet the assigned goals (e.g., putting together a new conservation campaign or producing a research report).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Influence federal and state wildlife policy through administrative, legislative, and judicial forums, using a range of strategies including but not limited to:
     - Direct and grassroots lobbying in Congress and the California Legislature
     - Seeking policy and programmatic changes in the federal and California state agencies
     - Recommending litigation where appropriate and providing technical support
  • Expand and promote specific species campaigns for California, including the pacific fisher and all desert species (focus on the Mojave Desert); and other species as assigned by supervisor
  • Oversee and coordinate comprehensive conservation program in the Mojave Desert, which includes conservation work for Mohave ground squirrel and desert tortoise.  Requires significant collaborative work with state and federal agencies, local entities, scientists, the military and NGOs.  Also requires staff management of Desert Associate in 29 Palms, California.
  • Expand and promote habitat conservation program including research, development of strategy, and oversight of proposed habitat conservation plans (HCPs) and the effects of military expansion on focal species’ habitat needs
  • Implement strategies, campaigns, programs, projects, workplans, budgets, publications, educational materials, and reports for each assigned program area, including bilingual efforts
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the Legislature, legislative staff, state and federal agency personnel, biologists, scientists and staff of leading NGOs; identify new partners as appropriate
  • Represent Defenders in coalitions, public meetings, hearings, press events, conferences, national forums, and in general communications with public officials, the media, Defenders’ membership, the donor community, and the general public
  • Identify, inform, and mobilize citizen activists, including Defenders’ members and supporters, in areas of particular importance
  • Assist all Defenders departments with tasks relating to education, development, publications, and media coverage
  • Analyze and respond to the impact of climate change and renewable energy developments on focal species, with a special emphasis on the Mojave Desert
  • Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent in Biology, Natural Resources, or other related discipline.  Advanced degree preferred.

Experience:  3+ years of professional experience working on wildlife conservation issues. Experience developing, implementing and managing conservation campaigns. Experience with GIS desirable, including map production and analysis using ArcView. Other relevant experience with public policy, grassroots organizing, communications, editing, and/or development.

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

Other Qualifications:

  • Some knowledge of federal and state agencies, laws, treaties, and policies dealing with use and conservation of natural resources, and land-use planning
  • Excellent writing, media, and communications skills
  • Ability to conduct research, analyze information, and produce quality work products in a consistent, efficient, and timely manner
  • Must be well-organized with the ability to effectively handle multiple projects and topics at one time
  • Must be able to effectively liaise within a large organization
  • Spanish language skills desirable but not required

How To Apply

Interested applicants please reference California Representative in your subject line and submit a letter of interest, along with your resume and salary history (must be included to be considered) to us via e-mail at: HR@defenders.org

It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law, in all personnel actions.