Forests and Wildlife Program Director

~ The Natural Resources Council of Maine is a nonprofit membership organization protecting, restoring, and conserving Maine’s environment, now and for future generations. ~

NRCM harnesses the power of the law, science, and the voices of more than 20,000 supporters statewide and beyond. For more than 50 years, the Natural Resources Council of Maine has been protecting the places and way of life that make Maine so special. We work to:

• Protect the health of Maine’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands;
• Reduce the amount and toxicity of waste to conserve natural resources and stop toxic pollution;
• Set Maine on a path to a prosperous sustainable energy future, without climate-changing pollution; and
• Conserve Maine’s woods, wilderness, and wildlife.

Position Overview

The Forests and Wildlife Program Director provides ongoing management and leadership for NRCM’s efforts to protect the natural character of the ecologically, economically, and recreationally important woods and wildlife of Maine. General responsibilities include advocacy before the legislature and administrative bodies, communications with the media and general public, collaboration with coalition partners, and program planning and implementation.

The Program Director develops and maintains expertise on all key policy issues in NRCM’s Forest and Wildlife Program and uses this knowledge as the basis for persuasive advocacy and sound strategic and political judgment. This is full-time permanent position based at NRCM’s office in Augusta, Maine. The Program Director reports to NRCM’s Senior Director of Advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership for NRCM’s Forests and Wildlife Program, including policy development; Program planning, management, and implementation; advocacy; public speaking and media engagement; and strategic decisions.
• Help design and implement issue campaigns that advance program goals.
• Represent NRCM on program issues to external audiences.
• Develop and deliver testimony to the state legislature and administrative bodies in support of legislation, policies, and regulations related to Maine’s forests and wildlife.
• Identify and develop support from key individuals, businesses, and organizations.
• Help catalyze support from activists, legislators, the media, and general public through written and oral communications.
• Develop (or manage development of) campaign materials such as fact sheets, web pages, brochures, reports, and activist alerts.
• Coordinate policy campaign activities through meetings and communications with allied groups and program supporters.
• Identify analytic and policy campaign needs to promote policy objectives and work with communications, outreach, and marketing staff to distribute such products.
• Develop annual program plans; an annual program budget; and manage and track workplan progress and expenditures.
• Work with the Advocacy Director to identify and resolve significant strategic issues involving program challenges and emerging opportunities.
• Manage consultants, including pro bono attorneys, associated with outsourced program work.
• Prepare staff reports for senior staff and NRCM’s Board of Directors.
• Work with NRCM’s development staff on grants and fundraising strategies.
• Solicit ongoing performance feedback from colleagues and use that feedback for professional development.
• Assist with NRCM’s marketing, membership, and organizational development initiatives, as needed.

Common NRCM Job Responsibilities / NRCM is committed to a positive work culture where diversity is honored and respected. To this end, all employees are expected to:

• Maintain positive and productive working relationships with all NRCM staff members and also with NRCM’s members, external partners, policymakers, and the general public. This includes proactive work on understanding and addressing issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; providing and receiving constructive feedback; and a willingness to resolve conflicts constructively.
• Participate in organizational meetings and activities as requested, such as monthly staff meetings, trainings, and ad hoc planning committees.
• Complete all administrative work on time, such as time sheets, purchase orders, program reports, and planning documents.
• Be familiar with and follow organizational protocols and policies.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years professional experience, with a demonstrated record of excellence and accomplishments.
• Commitment and passion for environmental issues and NRCM’s mission.
• Academic training, professional experience, and/or personal experience with Maine's woods and waters, forest practices, and land use history preferred.
• Experience in program development, planning, program management, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including ability to think strategically and motivate others toward common goals.
• Excellent communications and advocacy skills across a range of settings, including policy analysis and persuasive writing, lobbying legislators, responding to the media, and delivering speeches to the general public.
• Law degree preferred, but not required.
• Ability to learn policy issues quickly, and to translate complex issues in simple and persuasive terms.
• Oversee and participate in outreach to NRCM members on issues related to the Forests and Wildlife agenda.
• Ability to travel throughout the state, including staying overnight when necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and to be held accountable for job performance.
• Ability to supervise staff; provide, receive, and respond to ongoing feedback.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies, including legislators, staff from other non-profits, business leaders, the NRCM membership, and the general public.
• Ability to work in coalitions and through team-based approaches.
• Enterprising, motivated, entrepreneurial, and undaunted.

Physical Requirements of the Job:

• The job requires working at a computer station for substantial lengths of time; performing office duties such as phoning, filing, and copying, and the ability to lift objects up to 10 pounds.
• NRCM will provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities where appropriate.
• Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Workplace Environment:

• NRCM strives to provide a supportive work environment through fair and competitive compensation and benefits, up-to-date equipment and IT support, adequate supervision, and ongoing professional development.
• The work environment is friendly, fun, cooperative, and very fast-paced.
• Staff members need to be able to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.

Compensation

NRCM is committed to providing fair and competitive compensation to its employees. We base our compensation decisions on:

• A biennial market survey of comparable organizations and localities.
• An evaluation of employee qualifications that does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, religion, physical/mental ability, sexual orientation or national origin.
• High employee performance that advances our strategic plan and other organizational priorities.
• Availability of financial resources for the organization.

To Apply

• Interested candidates should click "Apply" below to email a cover letter, resume, and at least one writing sample.

~ NRCM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion, physical/mental ability, sexual orientation, or national origin. NRCM will provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. ~