Specialist, Planning/Policy/Legal

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

We are seeking to hire a Planning/Policy/Legal Specialist to work in our National Forest Action Center. The primary responsibility of this person is, in cooperation with TWS staff and conservation community partners, to win protections for important places and resources in National Forests through Land Management Plan revisions and other large-scale planning processes and related policy reforms. She/he will develop effective strategies using existing policy framework (laws, regulations, directives, executive orders, etc.) and agency engagement, and serve as a resource on Forest Service planning for the broader conservation community - with an emphasis to start on issues related to NEPA, transportation, watershed conservation, and administrative land protections. The position may involve spending time in the field to learn about conservation challenges, working in/leading coalitions, and helping develop strategies and approaches to use federal conservation laws, regulations, and policies to move effectively a conservation agenda.  This person must have a solid understanding of land management agency planning, culture, and policy, and enjoy working in coalitions and teams.  She/he must also have the ability to review agency actions and proposals, identify key policy, legal, and political opportunities and pressure points, and translate policy and planning expertise into effective strategies and tactics designed to win specific conservation outcomes. 
 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide planning and policy/legal expertise to TWS staff and conservation partners to help further campaigns around land management planning processes by identifying key opportunities, building strong administrative records, developing legal strategies, engaging scientific experts, generating examples of good planning practice and exporting them to other plans, and helping to build diverse community support for conservation approaches.
• On Forest Land Management Plan revisions and other large-scale planning processes, in coordination with partners, identify top-tier policy/political/legal strategies, generate good examples of planning practices, participate in direct communication with the agencies and other interested parties to achieve conservation objectives, and help prepare formal comments.
• In coordination with TWS staff and partners, identify and implement policy and legal strategies to win enduring improvements in Forest Service planning processes, policies, and strategies.
• Provide expertise to TWS and the conservation community on Forest Service planning and policy.
• Use the National Environmental Policy Act and other key environmental laws (e.g., Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Forest and Management Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Wilderness Act), regulations, and policies to help protect wildness, land and water resources, and quiet recreation experiences.
• Track Land Management Plan revision processes and associated issues, and identify and develop strategies to respond to positive and negative trends as needed.
• Work with TWS staff and partners to develop and implement trainings as needed to help activists develop expertise in engaging in land-use planning processes, and protect priority places.
• Keep current on major public lands planning and forest issues and the associated political dynamics. 
• Assist the NFAC Director in crafting and carrying out program management duties.

Qualifications: 

• Experience and expertise in federal public land planning, management, law, and policy. 
• Solid understanding based on experience of land management agency planning processes and culture.
• Desire and ability to work/lead coalitions and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Understanding and experience using federal environmental laws with a strong emphasis on NEPA. 
• Knowledge of and passion for wilderness and conservation issues on public lands.
• Ability to think strategically, provide leadership in problem solving, and lead projects to completion within established and at times tight timelines.
• Political savviness.
• Exceptional communication skills that show the ability to translate complex legal and procedural issues into information that can be understood and used by the conservation community, agency staff, and media personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, think creatively, and write convincingly.
• JD or graduate degree in natural resources, public policy, planning or related field,  or comparable work-related experience. 
• Short-duration travel is required.

This position is available mid-June and is located in our Denver office.  The Wilderness Society offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.  At TWS, we advocate for and protect the rich variety of life, values and experiences that wild places provide; as an organization we are equally committed to honoring diversity in our staff and creating an inclusive work environment. 

To apply please submit a cover letter explaining your qualifications for and interest in this position, resume, writing sample, and names, addresses, phone numbers of at least three references to: staffing@tws.org with Planning/Policy/Legal Specialist in the subject line.