Public Lands Policy Associate Director

Position Title: Public Lands Policy Associate Director

Location: remote in the Western United States or Washington, DC. 

Positions Closes: November 12, 2024

Ideal Start Date: Mid-January 2025

This position reports to the Public Lands Policy Director

WHO WE ARE: 

The Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with team members based across various locations, including Alaska, Northern and Southern California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Washington, DC.

Established in 2007, CLF was founded on the belief that our public lands are best protected when there is a national network of local advocates working to advance a common conservation vision. CLF works hand-in-hand with 80 + grassroots groups - our Friends Grassroots Network - to protect the National Conservation Lands, our nation’s newest collection of premier lands and waters under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s jurisdiction. These lands encompass 37 million acres and 2,400 miles of National Monuments and National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails. They are found throughout the West and Alaska.

Our mission is to protect, restore, and expand the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy, and partnerships.

Position Description:

The Public Lands Policy Associate Director will work closely with the Public Lands Policy Director to help develop and deliver campaign and policy strategies across the organization. 

The Public Lands Policy Associate Director will implement strategies aimed at grassroots efforts to advance policy change to conserve, protect, and restore the National Conservation Lands; facilitate or convene meetings in partnership with the Public Lands Policy Director with stakeholders, grassroots advocates, and decision-makers to advance policy initiatives and campaigns; and assist with implementing and tracking key policy and advocacy strategies within the Conservation Lands Foundation.

Objectives and Responsibilities:

Campaign Implementation

• In partnership with the Public Lands Policy Director, develop and execute a policy strategy to advance the Conservation Lands Foundation’s mission and Strategic Plan.
• Collaborate with the Public Lands Policy Director and the CLF Field Staff to identify and develop grassroots efforts to effect policy change through Bureau of Land Management land use planning processes. Facilitate, participate in, and represent CLF in various conservation campaigns.
• Work with the communications team, program directors, and other internal and external partners to develop, coordinate, and implement regional communication strategies to support CLF’s policy agenda.

Policy Expertise and Training

• Develop strong working relationships with individuals in the Bureau of Land Management who oversee planning.
• In conjunction with the Public Lands Policy Director and Grassroots Engagement Associate Director, develop, coordinate, and implement strategies, trainings, workshops and webinars throughout the year to educate and engage the Friends Grassroots Network in policy and advocacy initiatives. Elevate and leverage grassroots power to achieve campaign goals.
• Prepare technical background materials, including research and written reports, white papers, public comments and other content.

Administrative Support

• Develop and implement a system for extracting data, metrics, and policy examples from resource management plans and other planning processes. This system should provide a quick look into policy trends and serve as a tool for ongoing policy campaigns.
• Assist with internal check-in calls, review sign-on letters, track various campaign efforts and provide updates to CLF staff at the direction of the Public Lands Policy Director.
• Participate in team and staff meetings, Board meetings, and the Friends Grassroots Summit. Serve as a supportive resource to Board members, donors, team members, and partners, offering guidance and assistance whenever needed.
• Actively participate and support CLF’s equity, inclusion, and access work to help ensure it becomes embedded and continues to evolve as an organization-wide priority.

WHO YOU ARE: 

The successful candidate is committed to the Conservation Lands Foundation’s mission and advancing equity, inclusion, and justice within the organization and in the environmental movement. Helpful qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree required; a degree in public policy, environmental science, law, or related environmental field a plus.
• Commitment to the fundamental belief that change comes from communities, individuals, and groups closest to the places and issues we care about.
• Preferred experience in conservation, campaigns, grassroots advocacy, renewable energy, and community organizing.
• Familiarity with relevant public land conservation and renewable energy policy issues is a plus.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and research skills. Ability to quickly grasp and understand complex issues.
• Proficiency in technical writing.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with various internal and external partners.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet urgent and longer-term deadlines in a team setting.
• Capability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Comfortable working remotely or in hybrid team-oriented environments, with the capacity to inspire cooperation among others.
• Skilled in managing sensitive matters with discretion and sound judgment while consistently upholding confidentiality.
• Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity programmatically across the organization and the environmental and conservation movements.
• Mission-driven and self-directed, possessing passion, idealism, integrity, intellectual curiosity, a positive attitude, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of humor.
• Willingness to travel. A valid driver’s license is required.

Salary Range: $60,000-$70,000. (CLF operates on a 36-hour work week.) 

Benefits Overview:

The Conservation Lands Foundation offers a competitive compensation package with an organizational culture that supports staff well-being and professional development. Benefits include generous vacation and sick time; 401(k) plan with employer contribution; health, Employer dental, and vision insurance plan; health and dependent care; Flex Spending program or Health Savings Account; Life Insurance; and short and long-term disability insurance.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and a one-page cover letter stating their interests and experience. Please email materials in one PDF with your first and last name and “Public Lands Policy Associate Director” in the subject line to associate@conservationlands.org. 

No phone calls, please.

The Conservation Lands Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the process. Please advise in writing at the time of application.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

To view this job listing or to learn more about the Conservation Lands Foundation, please visit our website at: www.conservationlands.org/careers