Alaska Representative

This professional-level position is responsible for assisting in promoting and expanding the Field Conservation Program and operations, and implementing assigned workplans for the Alaska field office.  The primary responsibilities are to develop conservation objectives and strategies and work with other staff in implementing the overall goals of Defenders. Current Alaska initiatives focus on conservation of wolves, bears, and other indicator species, ecosystem management, and the conservation of biodiversity.

Key activities for this position are to assist with Defenders’ campaigns to protect Alaska’s wolves and bears from aerial gunning and other threats to their conservation, and to advocate for the protection of wolves throughout Alaska.  The position will involve advancing specific campaigns and working in areas involving species conservation, habitat 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 goal (e.g., putting together a new conservation campaign or producing a research report).
 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Actively promote and expand Defenders’ Alaskan wildlife campaigns and projects through lobbying, testimony, comments on proposed policies, media development, and coalition-building with our traditional partners in the conservation community as well as with non-traditional entities such as rural advocates and the Native community
• 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
• Assist Defenders' Communications team in drafting articles, editorial pieces, op-eds, and letters to editors, and in pursuing national, regional, and local coverage
• Work with staff and attorneys to prepare legal affidavits to support litigation
• Provide general consulting to Defenders' staff on Alaska wildlife conservation issues and on related publications
• Cooperate with Membership and Development divisions staff to raise funds to support activities in Alaska
• Implement strategies, campaigns, programs, projects, workplans, budgets, publications, educational materials, and reports for each assigned program area
• 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, 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
• Provide general support including producing factsheets and letters; negotiating sign-ons; responding to letters and calls from members and other interested parties requiring technical responses; conduct Internet and library searches and telephone interviews
• Conduct proactive work and coordinate the development and implementation of public outreach and education projects such as rallies, conferences, public education fairs, lobbying campaigns, open houses and press conferences
• Monitor Defenders’ Web pages and ensure that Alaska-related program materials remain current
• Provide administrative support including compiling documents, editing, photocopying and faxing; also maintaining and ordering office supplies and organizing office materials
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent in natural resources or related discipline.  Advanced degree preferred.

Experience:  4+ years of experience in natural resources advocacy, preferably with a working knowledge of conservation biology, indicator/umbrella species, predators and their relationship to ecosystem management. Experience developing, implementing and managing conservation campaigns. 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:

• Basic knowledge of federal and state agencies and laws and policies concerning wildlife management and predator control programs
• Ability to conduct research, analyze information, and produce quality work products in a consistent, efficient, and timely manner.
• Strong writing and verbal communications skills, including some familiarity working with the media
• Ability to operate effectively as an advocate of Defenders' programs, preferably with some experience or interest in organizing grassroots support and working with coalitions.
• Ability to multi-task and handle multiple projects

How To Apply

Interested applicants please reference Alaska 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.