Federal Public Lands Conservation Fellow

ABOUT WESTERN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Founded in 2005, Western Conservation Foundation (WCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Denver, Colorado. Alongside our 501(c)(4) advocacy organization Western Conservation Action, Western Conservation Foundation provides grants to nonprofits to support their public education and lobbying activities that build stronger leaders to protect the West’s land, air, and water.

WCF is distinguished by its ability to be crafty, nimble, entrepreneurial, tenacious, and synergistic. They are game-changers who put a premium on turning new ideas into action and effectively educating the decision-makers who influence conservation policies in the West. If ideas #1, 2, and 3 don’t pan out, they keep at it until they find a way to make an impact. WCF is committed to changing the public lands policy and advocacy landscape by supporting the power, voices, and visibility of historically underrepresented groups.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Principal Deputy Director of the Federal Public Lands Program, the Washington DC-based Federal Lands Program Conservation Fellow is a 2-year fellowship. The Fellow will support WCF’s national campaign operation, working on research and communications tasks that advance new national monument designations, support pro-public lands policies within Congress and the Administration, and fight against efforts to reduce protections or public access to public lands.

The Federal Public Lands Program Fellow will:

• Research potential grantees and possible new partners and make recommendations to the Foundation’s program managers.
• Complete office-based research in potential monument campaigns and new Administration appointees.
• Support the Foundation’s Program Managers in working with national and Western grantees to drive national and local campaigns.
• Draft earned media and other public materials for the Foundation’s grantees and partners, ensuring that each document reflects the authentic voice of the speaker.
• Track legislative and administrative proposals that would weaken the Antiquities Act or reallocate funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and help the Foundation’s DC team develop appropriate communications strategies to fight these proposals.
• Attend Congressional meetings and other events as assigned.

ATTRIBUTES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Ideal candidates are individuals who are looking to jumpstart their career in conservation, whether early in their career or looking to make a change from another field in non-profit advocacy. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

• Strategic thinking on conservation: Bringing a campaign mentality to work, with a strong interest in D.C. policymaking and the political landscape.
• Communication and research: Producing strong written documents, editing effectively, researching complex issues, and engaging in effective verbal communication within a low drama/high impact culture.
• External relations: Acting as an effective ambassador, building connections, providing campaign guidance and strengthening relationships with outside consultants, grantees, and partners.
• Attention to detail: Noticing and fixing errors that others might overlook while acknowledging mistakes and turning them into learning opportunities. Prioritizing administrative responsibilities.
• Commitment to social justice and racial equity: Ensuring your work strengthens historically underrepresented voices and visibility in public lands decision-making and advocacy. Continuously learning about the role of race, gender, and other identities in shaping policy and raising your understanding of the historical context for racial inequity and its present-day implications.

TRAVEL

Occasional travel required – Approximately 5-10%

LOCATION

This is a full-time hybrid position based in Washington, DC. Fellows will be expected to work in the office at least 2-3 days week.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary for this 2-year fellowship is $65,000 a year. In addition, Western Conservation Foundation offers an outstanding benefits package to include:

• 100% of health insurance premiums for employees and their families
• Health Reimbursement Account ($2000.00 for individuals and $3000.00 for families where all members participate in WCF’s group policy)
• 10% contribution of employee salary to a retirement plan, eligible after 6-months of employment
• 11 Paid Holidays and one floating holiday
• 20 days of paid leave
• 12 days of sick leave
• Family Medical Leave
• Bereavement leave

HOW TO APPLY

To make recommendations or to express interest in this role, please email jobs@wcfnd.org and include “Conservation Fellow” in the subject line. All applications must include a letter of interest and a resume. 

This position is open until filled. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be screened against the criteria listed in this profile. 

All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.