This professional-level position is responsible for conducting outreach and education to diverse communities and assisting with wildlife conservation and climate change policy for the California Program of Defenders of Wildlife. Through constituency building, public education, and strategic communications, the California Program Coordinator will strengthen Defenders’ wildlife conservation and climate change advocacy. This position also will assist in the development environmental advocacy campaigns, legislative efforts and policy.

This position also involves a wide variety of responsibilities supporting the program and operations of the California Program field office. This position will serve as the Director’s liaison to other staff, federal and state agency personnel, elected officials and their staff, Defenders’ members and the public. The California Program Coordinator must utilize a general knowledge of all programs and projects within the California Program in order to assist the Director with oversight, implementation of works plans and compliance with procedures and schedules. This position requires substantial discretion in determining how to meet assigned goals and competing deadlines.

Essential Responsibilities:

Administrative Support:

• Manage day-to-day office operations and correspondence on behalf of the California Program; maintain knowledge of program staff travel and schedules.
• Attend all relevant internal sta? meetings and prepare meeting notes, as appropriate.
• Maintain files, office systems and supplies and follow all organizational administrative procedures.
• Serve as California Program safety officer and attend all required building safety briefings.
• Act as office liaison to Headquarters, other field staff and outside services such as property managers, equipment vendors and repair services.

Program Support:

• Represent Defenders in coalitions and at public meetings, hearings, press events, conferences, national forums, and in general communications with public officials, the media, Defenders members, the donor community and the public.
• Coordinate and implement local, state and/or national strategies, campaigns, programs, projects, work plans, publications, educational materials and reports.
• Lead outreach efforts to diverse communities in California and develop new and ongoing partnerships with local community members and community-based organizations.
• 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 federal and state agencies; and recommending litigation where appropriate and providing technical support.
• Undertake a wide variety of duties as needed to implement program plans, including drafting letters and negotiating sign-ons to Defenders’ policies and group letters.
• Collaborate and coordinate conservation actions and campaigns with staff and other environmental community outreach partners engaged on similar issues.
• Coordinate educational or organizing events such as campaigns, rallies and conferences.
• Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ program work.
• Identify, inform and mobilize citizen activists, including Defenders’ members and supporters, in areas of particular importance, including maintaining a Defenders California Program Facebook page.

Writing and Communications:

• Engage, inform and educate constituencies to support Defenders’ priority wildlife conservation programs and campaigns.
• Assist with the deployment of effective social and multi-media educational efforts.
• Respond to information requests from members and other interested parties and distribute Defenders’ published reports.
• Assure effective internal communication with other Defenders’ staff and departments and coordinate logistics for responding to letter sign-on requests from other organizations.
• Develop, distribute, and/or present necessary materials such as talking points, fact sheets, action alerts and multi-media presentations.
• As needed, proofread draft reports, presentations and other publications for content, as well as coordinate any necessary printing, graphics and production.
• Research specific conservation issues and prepare comprehensive background memos.

Budgets and Accounting:

• Administer contracts, check requests, reimbursement requests, and other financial procedures in a timely manner.
• Play an important role in the development of the program’s annual budget and closely monitor budget projections throughout the year.
• Process invoices; manage contracts; coordinate with team members to compile and submit financial reports, including expense reports, check requests and other financial transactions.

Etc.:

• Troubleshoot problems with computers in conjunction with the IT department; create and maintain relevant databases.
• Assist all Defenders departments with tasks relating to education, development, publications and communications.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned and be an energetic, enthusiastic and committed advocate for all Defenders’ programs.

Travel:

• This role may require travel throughout California an average of four days per month.

Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.

Experience

1+ years of experience working on environmental issues. Other relevant experience with public policy, legislative procedures, grassroots organizing, communications, administration or development a plus.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Awareness and understanding of the concerns and needs of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations, and contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state agencies, natural resource policies and laws, and contemporary conservation issues.
• Ability to conduct research, analyze information and produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient and timely manner.
• Collaborative team member with emotional intelligence, creativity, flexibility, initiative and a track record of working in a solution-oriented manner.  
• Strong communicator (written and oral) with superior customer relations skills; demonstrated ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely; ability to efficiently work remotely; ability to represent Defenders to external entities and the public, exercising tact, diplomacy, discretion and professionalism.
• Creative thinker with a positive attitude; able to work independently in a dynamic environment, exercise good judgment and confident decision-making to achieve time sensitive goals and meet project deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a variety of people, including federal/state agencies, elected officials and their staff, Defenders’ members, and the general public.
• Ability to follow instructions with consistency and meticulousness, independently develop and implement project plans and strategy; use problem-solving and trouble-shooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively and efficiently execute multiple projects along varied timelines and priorities, work under pressure and multi-task.
• High level of computer literacy with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Internet applications.
• Personal interest and commitment to conservation.

Work Expectations:

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.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

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.

Application:

Interested applicants please apply with a cover letter through our careers portal at http://www.defenders.org/jobs

Working at Defenders:

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.

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.