Job Information
Defenders of Wildlife Director, Federal Lands in Washington, District Of Columbia
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Director, Federal Lands Program
CLASSIFICATION: Professional 6
SALARY: $110,000 - $121,000
FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Land and Habitat Conservation
LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
REPORTS TO: Vice President for Land and Habitat Conservation
NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 5
LAST REVISED: January 2024
POSITION SUMMARY
Director, Federal Lands Program leads Defenders of Wildlife’s work to increase wildlife habitat protections and advance imperiled species recovery on federal lands, including the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Forest System, the National System of Public Lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Department of Defense (DoD) lands. The Director is responsible for advancing Defenders’ conservation mission on federal public lands in accordance with our strategic plan, conservation priorities and campaigns. The position directs the program’s multi-faceted strategies to defend and secure new conservation protections, initiatives, policies and laws for at-risk species on federal lands.
Responsibilities include supervising Federal Lands Program staff members; working closely with federal land management agencies to improve wildlife and habitat management; coordinating relevant environmental community advocacy efforts; directing, coordinating, and/or assisting Defenders’ advocacy efforts to influence legislation, regulations, agency policies, and land management plans; providing support to Defenders’ staff on federal lands policy and relevant issues, including strategic litigation, when necessary; and serving as Defenders’ representative for federal lands with external interests. Working closely with the Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs, Vice President for Land and Habitat Conservation and other leadership, the director is committed to advancing organizational vitality and DEIJ goals and objectives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop Defenders’ positions on legislative and administrative proposals affecting federal lands. Facilitate coordination with Government Relations on developing new and responding to proposed legislation.
Direct Defenders’ advocacy efforts and major campaigns to protect and restore habitat on federal lands and waters, to thwart and oppose policies and actions that threaten at-risk species on federal lands, and to hold the federal land management agencies accountable to their legal obligations, including under the Endangered Species Act and other laws.
Supervise the Federal Lands Program staff by developing workplans, setting priorities, supervising work, and evaluating performance.
Facilitate collaboration with other conservation program and external affairs staff to accomplish goals and objectives.
Serve as Defenders’ representative on federal lands to department and agency officials and represent Defenders in public meetings, hearings, press events, conferences, coalitions, and in general communications with public officials, legislators, the media, Defenders’ membership, the donor community, and the general public.
Research, write, and/or supervise the development of white papers, memos, blogs, reports, Websites, publications and other products for advocacy purposes. Facilitate coordination with the Communications Department to develop and distribute outward facing products and with the Center for Conservation Innovation to use technology to develop digital communication products.
Direct program efforts to draft comments, appeals, and objections in response to proposed regulatory actions, plans and proposals on priority issues and in priority places; and when necessary direct program efforts to prepare to support litigation efforts.
Direct program efforts to inform and mobilize citizen activists, including Defenders’ members and supporters.
Work with Development staff to raise operating funds for the Federal Lands Program.
Develop short- and long-range operating objectives, organizational structure, and staffing requirements.
Develop and recommend the Federal Lands Budget.
Ensure optimum performance of group function. Recommend and implement techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, cut costs and maintain state-of-the-art practices.
Recommend, review and approve employment actions, including interviewing, hiring, promotions and raises, in conjunction with Human Resources. Partner with Human Resources in the handling of disciplinary issues.
Ensure communication of duties and responsibilities to direct reports and monitor performance. Provide regular coaching and counseling. Identify training needs. Prepare and deliver salary and performance reviews; review and approve performance and salary appraisals as necessary.
Ensure relevant Vice Presidents, the Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs and the President and CEO are kept apprized of significant issues related to policy positions and priorities of the organization.
Perform all other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
Experience: 10 years of relevant experience; 5 years supervisory experience
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders
https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Professional 6
Administrative
Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service
Communication
Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders’ interests in external environments
Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders
Critical Thinking
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ work
Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
Strategic thinker with the ability to take high-level strategy and translate into relatable points and action steps.
Project Management
Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests
Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues
Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment
Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues
Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion
Coalition and Community Engagement
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders’ members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and /or the general public.
Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate policy issues impacting wildlife and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.
Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.
Conservation Knowledge
Expert-level knowledge of Defenders’ legal, scientific, and/or political issues
Expert-level knowledge of national and regional social, political, and ecological landscapes
Leadership and Management
Ability to foster a team culture which models the tenets of the Commitment Statement
Ability to connect employees and their work to Defenders’ mission
Ability to set and maintain clear expectations, ensuring clarity of roles, accountabilities, and responsibilities
Ability to ensure that staff have the skills and support required to perform at the highest level
Working knowledge of Defenders’ business and people systems and processes
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Director, Federal Lands Program
Strategic Thinking - Formulates effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the organization. Examines policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective. Determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities.
Performance Measurement – Knowledge of the principles and methods for evaluating program or organizational performance
Partnering - Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
Ecology - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the interrelationships among organisms and their environment, including competition and predation, evolution and natural selection, population dynamics, and the impact of natural phenomena or human actions on natural systems, processes, and biota.
Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.
Public Planning - Knowledge of functions, principles, methods, and techniques of public planning, including those related to community planning, outdoor recreation planning, and natural resource management, such as environmental impact analysis and land use planning and zoning.
Leveraging Diversity - Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
Oral and Written Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical Activities
Check all that apply
Frequency
(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.
N
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
N
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
C
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
N
Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.
O
Communicating with others to exchange information.
C
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
C
Operating machinery and/or power tools.
N
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
N
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
C
Environmental Conditions
Check all that apply
Frequency
(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Low temperatures.
High temperatures.
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
Noisy environments.
Hazardous conditions.
Poor ventilation.
Small and/or enclosed spaces.
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
C
Physical Demands
Check only one
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
X
Light work that includes moving objects up to 10 pounds.
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Defenders of Wildlife 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. It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions. Please be advised this position is non union eligible.